Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-24
SORROW IN WASHINGTON
OVER CLEVELAND'S DEATH
Expressions of Regret From Mon
Who Knew Former President.


sides in this city today when the news Of
former President Grover Cleveland 8
death was flashed over the wires.
Republicans joined with democrats in
their griee at the passing of the great
democrat who had been the last to lead
his party to victory in presidential con-
test The men of both parties recalled
that as a man Of worth he had admin
istered the affairs of the nation conscien-
tiOusly and we'll.
Here In Washington. where the Incl
dents Of his administrations are sill fresh
in memory. his deaf was deplored Many
of the government officials are absent
from the city on their summer outings.
but those who remain were frank in their
praise OF Grover Cleveland and his oob-
lie works. They declared that he had
left no stain on the record he had made
as the chef executive OF a great nation.
Flags at Half-Mast.
Flags were half-masted on government
buildings and by many citizens who fly
the emblem over their places of business
Veteran democrats of the old Jefferson
and Jackson schools averred that their
party had lost great and good man.
1T is a great blow to me and 7 feel it
most keenly' said Brig Gen. Robert NJ.
OReilly. surgeon general OF the army.
Gen. O'Reilly was attending surgeon of
the army in this city during both of Mr..
Cleveland's administrations. and in that
CAPACITY he attended Mr. Cleveland and
his family.
1T is impossible for me- said Gen.
OReilly. Ito express my feelings over
Mr.. Cleveland's death for publication Mr..
Cleveland was a great man and a most
ardent patriot
The only form of illness of any par
ticular importance to which Mr. Cleye-
land was subjected during Gen. O'Rsilly's
attendance upon him was from slight at
tacks or Indigestion. He was man of
very robust constitution" said the sur
geon general. and while he worked night
and day. and was most laborious in the
performance of his exacting duties. his
habits and mode of life were exceedingly
simple
An Able Statesman.
Attorney A. A. Birney. who filed the
ONCE of United States attorney for the
District during the second Administered ton
Of Mr.. Cleveland. having been appointed
by President Harrison shortly before the
inauguration In 1893 said: II looked
upon President Cleveland as one of the
ablest statesmen Of the country and feel
sincere regret at his death. During my
term of office as United States attorney
/ came in frequent contact with him, and
although we differed in politics. he al
ways showed me the greatest considera-
ton. and ! formed a sincere attachment
for him. He filled the Office of chief en-
ecutive with great ability and with an
eye single to the interests of the state
Henry =. Davis. appointed by Mr..
Cleveland as United States attorney for
the District to succeed Mr.. A. A. Birney.
said today: 1T is impossibIe'O express
the regret with which l learn OF Mr..
Cleveland's death. l mad the great privi-
lege OF his personal acquaintance from
his first inauguration, and was thrown
with him frequently, both officially and
ton. which. after his removal there, 1
never visited without seeing him. 1t is
q commonplace to say that he was one of
the greatest men In our public life since
the era OF the civil war. and it would
be presumptuous in me to undertake to
measure the value of his services to the
country
although by many thought a distant
anc indeed. repellant man, he was as
war'nhearted and human person as 1
his loss is that he lived to pass tine scrip
tural limit and to enjoy in his declining
years not only the rest which he had so
richly earned, but also the high place in
the esteem and affection o. his country
man which his personality won"
Tributes From Commissioners.
When Commissioner mcfarland learned
of the death of Mr.. Cleveland he made
the following statement:
Mr.. CleVeiand's death, though not I'M
expected will seem sudden and will make
deep impression. 1t is safe TO say that
he had more admirers when he died than
at any time before. for since he retired
from public life. in the asreeab BILE aca-
demie atmosphere OF PRINCETON. the old
political enmities toward him were soft
ened or entirely removed, and he came TO
the place where as the only living ex-
President he enjoyed universal esteem
and honor. He used his new influence
wisely in politics and philanthropy. as
Wen as IN Princeton University. l have
talked with him several times in these
recent years and found him broadened
and deepened and mellowed.
Il saw him last when he presided at the
national conference Of charities and cor
rections at Philadelphia and after I had
spoken. In the Academy of Music meet
ing. on what had been done to improve
the public charities and corrections in the
District OF Columbia. he spoke apprecia-
lively OF Washington's progress and his
constant interest in It's affairs History
will give him most honorable place
among the President of the United States
apart from his unique distinction Of being
reelected after he had been out of Office
four years"
Commissioner West said:
Grover Cleveland the only democratic
President in fifty years. occupied a COM