Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-23
TELLS OF CLEVELAND
Richard Watson Glider Writes
"A Record of Friendship"
REFORMERS; THEIR WAYS
President Cleveland's Disgust With
the Democratic Party.
DID HIS VERY LEVEL BEST
His Private Life Between His Two
Separate Terms in the
White House.
REFORMERS; THEIR WAYS
DID HIS VERY LEVEL BEST

Personal traits of the late President
Cleveland, as revealed to intimate
friend of many years. are described by
Richard Watson Glider in the Century
Magazine for August. I'm an article en-
titled Grove Cleveland Record OF
Friendship
"Sympathetic speakers and writer's have
told much, also. of his characteristics and
his daily walk" says Mr.. Glider, but the
full portrait has not yet been rounded out.
] desire merely to add a few intimate
touches to that portrait. not thinking to
complete II, but only to help loyalty to-
ward It's completion.
How Cleveland felt about his first ad-
ministration.
THE night of December 30. 1885, after
his defeat by Mr.. HARRISON. had long
talk with the President in his working
room at the White House. 1t was sort
of review of his first administration He
spoke of his enormous diff1culties-hoW
from the very outset he had had to resist
appeals to do what no man would rather
do than he. namely, oblige his good per-
Sonal friends.
"One trouble was that good men. even
civil service reform men. would some
times recommend the retention of officials
not desirable.
"He spoke again of his establishment at
getting a letter from a leading civil serv-
ice reformer in New York, saying that
the reformers did not consiuer that Dor
man B. Eaton represented them. When
he found this out. he wrote grieved and
severe letter He was never more as
tonished in his life: he had been keeping
in close sympathy with Eaton. suppOsing
that his views were those of the reform
ers.
He told also. all about the retention of
Postmaster Pearson in New York. He
wanted to keep him there as con-
spicuous example of executive ability and
thoroughness, object lesson in reform;
the same with Edward o. Graves of the
bureau of printing and engraving. There
were charges against Pearson. He had
him come to Washington and go over
them carefully, that he could meet
them fully. as he did.
He thought the reformers had been TOO
quick to pick flaws and to condemn. He
did not claim to be incapable of mistakes.
But they were too apt, on hearing of re-
movals. to believe that there were no
good reasons for them-this on the testi-
mony of the removed official. He thought
this criticism had put arguments into the
mouth of the enemy: would lead people
to believe that he had broken pledges and
that the future historian. reading these
criticisms in papers that had supported
him. would perpetuate this false impress
sion. They say l have gone back on
every civil service pledge. l should like
to know what pledges I have broken.
His tone was that of man who had
conscientiously done his very best. re.
sisting pressure on all sides. although
not without mistakes, clear in his own
conscience. knowing that reforms had
been effected, but expecting that the crdti-
cism of even his supporters would confuse
the. record, and never expecting a full
recognition Of his labors. He had heard.
he added. that even a certain prominent
reformer had said. in the first bitterness
of defeat. that. after all. IL the President
had been more shrewd. and had placated
the spoilsmen more. he would have been
reelected.
Disguised With His Party.
During all of this visit he was not de-
jected. though he spoke with disgust Of
some Of his own party in Congress who,
knowing that he and his party were 60
ing out. were now ready to favor the very
things the party had condemned. told
that he had effected. by his administra-
ton. favorable change In a great party.
and had given 1t a policy.
Nothing in Mr.. Cleveland:s career
was more remarkable than his conduct
during the four years that he lived as
a private citizen in New York between
his two presidential terms. Not the
least exceptional circumstance in his
ne was the only man elected to sepa-
rated presidential terms. He was. Dur
ing this entire interval of four years.
the principal figure in his party. though
not its active leader. The party, in fact.
had no acknowledged leader. yet all
through these years the general public
had no doubt as to the fact that he
was the party's most notable figure.
One hears two dramatically opposite
opinions to Clevelands ability to cx-
press himself. One is that he wrote
awkwardly, in redundant roundabout.
and heavy manner. The other opinion
was voiced by so severe a critic as
Thomas Bailey Aldrich, who. wherever
] met him. or heard from him, had
something enthusiastic to say about Mr..
Cleveland and often spoke of his ability
as writer. In a letter. written in 1901,
he said: I've been reading with intense
interest. Mr.. Clevelands second Vene-
Zuela paper. What admirable diction.
compact. strong and simple-simple as
all great writing is.
No faint of Journalism.
LAS between Mr.. CIeveland's express
sion in conversation and his public
writings. never was such a contrast. AS
10 his familiar talk-no faint of formal
ism there, The President was one of
the very raciest of takers and racon-
tours. Joe Jefferson used to say that
Mr. Cleveland missed his vocation when
he went into politics instead of going
upon the stage. Sometimes, too, when
one was alone with him. he would be-
tray the tenderness and sentiment
which were so deep in his nature.
When he had any distrust of the
person with whom he was conversing,
most of the talk was on the other side.
though the interiocutor was not always
aware of the fact. With a few familiar
friends. however. he was the soul of
good company: not dominating the con-
versation-as has been said. he was n
good listener'-but doing his share of
repartee and storytelling. with all the
aids of wit. good memory for detail
and when necessary. the faculty OF
mimicry."
1T will be that Mr. Cleveland
could do small things well. no less than
large. His fine and sensitive handwrit-