Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-01-13
Arthur Wanted Man From West
of the Mississippi.
Story of Chat With Him Just Before
the Convention at Which He Was
Nominated for the Vice
Presidency.
BY {. ]. EDWARDS.


and the station platform was almost
deserted except by employees
At last | heard step approaching
and looking up, saw Gen. Chester A.
Arthur. He carried gripsack, which
he set down in order to remove his
hat and wipe from his forehead the
profuse perspiration which the heat OF
the day had brought out
General Arthur seldom failed to
recognize any one with whom he had
acquaintance, even the slightest, and
his greeting of me- therefore, was
most cordial
Il suppose you are on your way TO
Chicago, general?' I asked. having III
mind the fact that the Republican ma.
tional convention was about 10 con-
vene in that city.
Yes" he replied. II am to take
here the special train that is running
from New York city came up TO Al.
bany yesterday to attend to some per-
sohal business and to visit my sister.
Mrs. McElroy. whom ! have not seen
for some time" She was the sister,
who. little over year later. was TO
become mistress of the White House.
as We paced up and down the plat.
form, General Arthur, whose train also
was late. spoke with great frankness
of the probable result OF the ballotine
fer the presidential candidate.
u doubt" said he-and he was one
of Roscoe Conkling's stanch support
crs in the Grant third term movement
~ doubt whether We shall be able
TO secure the nomination of General
Grant. Judge William c. Robertson
Of this state seems to have his bolt.
ing delegates we'll in hand. and ! am
convinced that the delegates from
Pennsylvania who have stated that
they will not support Grants nomina.
ton will stick 10 that determination.
All this looks 70 me as il Grant can
not. be nominated"
In case you do not nominate Gen
eral Grant" asked. who. then. is
likely to be the choice of the conren'
ton? Elainc?'
no. not Blaine. But for him Grant
would DC nominated. II Grant can't be
nominated. Elaine can't be-
Does that mean a dark horse? ]
asked Or H. -ehsgpp,af,,' - G'""'''n''-
Vas an arowcd candidate.
General Arthur looked at me queer
Is for moment before replying.
DO you really think that the New
York delegation would support inc
OF Sherman in view Of
what has happcncd?" he asked. He re-
fcrrcd 10 The fact that it was Johll
Sherman. who. DIS secretary OF tAc
treasury under Hayes, had caused
Arthur's removal from the office o.
collector Of The porS Of New York
IN act that greatly anscrcd the New
York organization.
For myself | should lik" 10 sec
some one nominated FROM one OF the
states west of the Mississippi river il
wc can no, nominate General Grant,
Arthur continued.
"'i'hc temptation will be great. Con
oral Arthur" said. TO publish Inc
fact that You. and presumably yGnf
friends. have some Republican VINO
lives west Of the Mississippi in mind
as second choice in cast YOU canno'
nominate Gcncral Grant
1T wouldn't do at all. he replied.
hastily: 1T would mix everything all
up
Well" said. "iu case YOU noni.
nate 4 far western man Tor prcSIdci'.
the convention will probably come
cast for its candidate for vicc-prcSi.
dent"
General Arthur smiled. The vice.
presidency is so remote q cOniingcncE
until tue candidate for president j.
nominated that We haven't given II u
moments thought he said. Almost
any good Republican who lives in the
cast would make good candidate lur
vicc-prcSidcnt. Personally. Sho"'
he inclined to name some one from
Pennsylvania or New England. but III"
matter al this time is not worth a m"
mcnt's consideration
That was The attitude OF the man
who n few days later was himself 70
he nominated for Vicc-pr"SIdcnt ana
vho as wc paced the platforms TO-
cethcr. 1acitly admitted to ne mat nc
was contemplating his election on INC
following winter as United States sen
a,nr from New York 20 succeed Fran
els Herman.
Who General Arthur's far western
choice for the presidential nomination
WAS | never learned.
ocouyright. l9ll. Icy +. j. Edwards NJ
Rights E"Srrvcd.(
According to Agreement.