Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-07-07
Miseellaneuus Reading.
ANECDOTES OF CLEVELAND.
Interesting Side Lights on Career of
Ex-President,


Ex-President.
Nothing which the late Grover
: Cleveland ever did, while president of
the United States attracted more at
tention than the famous message he
sent to congress in December, 1895,
on the subject Of Great Britain's con-
troversy with Venezuela over the
boundary between the latter country
and British Guiana. In an interview
with newspaper correspondent Hill
ary A. Herbert, then Mr.. Cleveland s
secretary Of the navy, recently told
the true inwardness of that historic
episode
THE foundation of Mr.. Cleveland s
celebrated Venezuelan message" said
Mr.. Herbert, was the note of Secre-
tary of State Olney to Lord Sails
bury, the British minister for foreign
affairs That note was written during
the congressional recess, three months
before congress convened and before
Mr.. Clevelands message was prepar-
} ed. The Olney note was drafted af-
} ter Consultation between the secre-
tary Of state and Mr.. Cleveland dur
} ing the summer at Gray Gables, on
Buzzard's bay. Mr.. Olney went there
as have always understood, to con-
fer with the president about the Ven
ezuelan question. The note was sub
mitted to every member Of the cabi-
net%> I remember distinctly I was in
Washington that summer, and a copy
of the note came to me and Mr.. Car
Isle, y the secretary Of the treasury,
and Mr.. Lamont, the secretary Of
war, and we considered the policy to-
gether.
81 remember that as the note de-
veloped it almost took my breath
away, and I was inclined to oppose
its presentation, but before the read
ing was finished 1 realized it's force
and value, and heartily approved it.
Between Mr.. Carlisle, Mr. Lamont
and myself some suggestions were
made as to amendments, perhaps
slight, and my understanding is that
these amendments were subsequently
| adopted. All the cabinet knew for
three or four months before congress
convened that this bombshell had
been prepared. Nevertheless it was
kept absolutely secret. Nobody knew
anything about it, AS Mr.. Cleveland
himself said, he did not believe in do
ing public business on the sidewalk.
The message that Mr.. Cleveland after
ward wrote was prepared by himself
just after he had returned from an
outing. He had gone down the river
on a fishing excursion, and when he
got back the message was written,
occupying him for two days. The
| message was read to the cabinet be-
fore it was sent in. I do not remem.
ber whether any suggestions were
asked or offered, the message being
condensation of the very powerful
Olney note.
did you anticipate that war would
| result from the message?"
mo; did not think so, because
did not think there was enough in
the controversy to cause a war be-
tween the two countries which were
so closely allied in blood and business.
OF course, such measures as could be
taken with the means in hand to be
| prepared in case of trouble were ta-
ken by the navy department. but
there was neither time nor money nor
/ 0-ftt fn anH Hn "
preparations"
! As Friend and Lawyer.
| Cleveland was more Of a sociable
man than a social one. He enjoyed
few social relations in Buffalo, rarely
visiting the houses Of friends At the
same time he was most convival with
his male acquaintances. He was fond
Of playing cards in his youth and
spent most of his time with the boys.
AS a lawyer he seldom practiced in
court, and, while never regarded as a
close student, he had the faculty Of
grasping a legal problem, which
made him invaluable as counsel. His
practice was confined almost alto
gether to his office, his associates
making the arguments in court.
No Room For the Band.
With great glee Mr.. Cleveland used
to tell of an experience he had when
he was governor Of New York state.
There was a public meeting at one
of the theaters to which the governor
and his staff were invited. The staff
put on their most gorgeous uniforms.
There. were fifteen or sixteen of them,
and they were resplendent in gold
lace and cord.
When the party reached the theatre
entrance they found so many people
there that somebody suggested they
should go around and enter by the
stage door.
They encountered a stolid stage
door keeper, who had been at his post
for years and was used to the wiles
of people who want to get behind the
scenes.
Cant get in here" he said gruff-
ly.
But" said Mr.. Cleveland, Il am
| the governor.
The doorkeeper looked the COVER
nor over carefully. Apparently he
recognized him, for he said, "All right
governor; you can go in"
Then he waved his hand at the
gaudy staff and announced, 1.-THE band
must go around the other way"
Let Him Down Lightly.
Shortly after Grover Cleveland was
inaugurated president Buffalonian
bade his friends goodbye, explaining
that he was going to Washington to
see Grover" and, considering that he
and Grover were old friends, he was
confident that Grover would give him
some nice office. In due time he
reached Washington and the presi-
dent; but alas, his efforts to induce
Grover to give him any office, foreign
or domestic. proved unsuccessful. FL
nally, in his desperation, the Buffalo
nian said:
Now, look here, Grover; before
leaving home 1 told my friends that