Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-24

the highest office in the peoples gift
through sheer force of character-a char
acter so rugged. so loyal and SO sincere as
to excite not only the respect and anec-
ton Of those who were privileged to be
his friends but OF those who were op-
posed to him for political or other rea-
sons. / know of no man in our history
more unfiinching in the performance OF
what he believed to be his duty No man
realized more fully the ideal of an incor-
ruptible public servant. His example has
been most wholesome in these years of So
cial and economic unrest and the influ-
ence Of his calm. reasonable and hopeful
spirit has made for a better understand
ing of the needs and responsibilities OF
our citizenship. His death il a very great
loss to the country
Tribute by Secretary Straus.
Secretary Straus of the Department of
Commerce and Labor said:
Another of the great fathers Of the
republic has gone to his eternal home.
His fame and services belong to the
country. and will be handed down to
grateful posterity as an inspiration and
as an example of answering devotion
to the cOuntryS welfare. Our greatest
Presidents. Washington, Jefferson and
Lincoln. each rendered the services to
the country, which in their time it stood
most in need of. Cleveland was one of
these-a mighty giant Of political right
eOuSneSs."
Praised by Secretary Taft.
A New Haven. Conn. dispatch says:
Secretary Taft was greatly shocked when
he was informed Of the death of former
President Grover Cleveland. He was in
the commencement procession with the
Yale University officials when the news
was conveyed to him.
Il am very sorry, indeed. said he,
Ito hear Of Mr.. Cleveland's death He
was one of the really great men of the
country. and his passing away is a dis
tinct loss to the American people"
Sorrow at the White House.
White House employees who had known
ex-President Cleveland when he was the
chief magistrate of the nation. were
deeply grieved to know of his death.
Assistant Secretary Latta, who is in
charge of the executive offices while the
President is at Oyster Bay. was not In
tine office when Mr.. Cleveland was in the
White House. Most of the present force
is composed of young men who have en-
tered the White House since Mr.. Cleve-
land left. Col. William II. Crook. dis
bursting officer: Maj. Charles Loeffier
doOrkeeper to President Roosevelt; War
rem Young. chief clerk of the White
House: William Lewis. messenger. and
Thomas Pendel an usher are the only
mon now on the rolls who remember
Mr. Cleveland But all of them remem-
Der him with pleasure.
Col Crook. who has been at the White
House since Lincoln's days. voiced the
feeling of the others in expressing deep
regret over the death of his former chief.
Mr.. Cleveland.' he said, was most
kindly. courteous and considerable man
During the eight years | was with him
do not remember a single instance of i'm
IL xr,tf h n
him or with his family. He was most af
fectionate to his wife and children. and
the Cleveland home life was, in my Opin-
ion. beautiful one.
A Hard Working President.
There were few Presidents who ever
worked as hard as Mr.. Cleveland. He did
not dictate many of his state papers. but
wrote them out by hand. working into
the late hours of the night. SO as to be
free from the interruption of visitors dur
ing the day. All of his messages to Con-
gress and most Of his official papers were
laboriOusly written out by hand. One of
his peculiarties was 10 explain his rea-
sons in great detail for every pardon
granted or refused by him. Every Pres
ident 1 have known, including Mr. Roose
welt. has had applica lions for pardons in
vestigated by Off1cials OF the Department
OF Justice and recommendations ma de by
the Attorney General. Upon the recon-
mendatOn Of the Attorney General action
is taken. Seldom does a President go into
the ceases himself. Mr.. Cleveland. how
ever investigated every case himself. II
he granted a pardon he always wrote
upon the papers his full reasons for doing
so. If he denied an application he was
equally careful TO explain the reasons"
A sketch Of Mr.. CIeveland's career
will be found on page 3.