Evening star., 1928-04-08
Depew, in Weighing Presidents,
Called Lincoln Greatest Executive

all the refinement of a private resi-
dence."
The famous after-dinner speaker
dwelt at some length on President Ar
thurs promotion of the American
British friendship, of his effective ef-
forts toward -Americanism anc
other achievements of his adminiStra'
tion--ard Of his n-aggresSiveness al
a time when aggression might have
proved dangerous, In concluding his
"reminiscences of Arthur. Mr.. Depew
said:
President Arthur had high ability
was trained politician and possessed
rare sense and Judgment and wonder
full personal charm. His adminiStra'
ton deserved another term"
This eminent authority held the
memory of President Grover Cleveland
III high place,
Cleveland had two qualities which
made him man among men" said the
former Senator. They were courage
and rare common sense. He was not
afraid of anybody or anything. / re-
gard him as one of our greatest PreSi-
dents.
BENJAMIN Harrison was very finely
equipped for the presidency" recalled
MIR Depew. He was great lawyer
and had genius for affairs
Mckinley an lmprcssionist.
president William Mckinley was a
man of universal sympathies," accord
ing to the f1rst-hand information Of the
ex-senator, who paid him the follow
ing tribute;
HE had the kindliest heart imaein-
able and was great impresSionist
both in the effect that other people
had upon him and also in the way In
which he impressed himself upon
others That is why he had more In
fluence with Congress in effecting the
passage or defeat of measures he urged
or opposed than almost any OF our
Presidents. And what is more. he ac-
complished this without the assertive-
ness or autocracy that have character
lied some of the other administra-
tons
OF all our Presidents, Roosevelt was
the most outspoken. in the opinion OF
his friend and intimate, Chauncey NJ
Depew. who paid him the following
tribute:
Next to Lincoln. Theodore Roosevelt
was the most human Of our Presidents.
He never concealed anything and was
the most outspoken man who ever sue
ceeded in public life Absolute out
spokenness in the matter of opinions
and people is unusual in a politician.
He succeeded in spite of this trai;
rather than because of IT, You may or
may not know 1t. but the successful
politician usually whispers behind his
hands. Roosevelt. however. followed
different tactics. He was law unto
himself"
In Mr.. Depew's "reminiscences ex-
President Taft held affectionate place.
He said:
"Mr. Taft so enjoyed the presidency
and its duties that all who were so
fortunate as to meet him shared his
pleasure. His long career on the bench
gave judicial force TO his decisions. and
his winning personality made his call
ers his friends"
In bringing his "reminiscences to a
close. the former Senator said.
President Wilson did not know
very we'll. but consider him the most
idealistic of all our Presidents. He was
also wonderful party leader"
OF President Harding the former
Senator was very fond.
He was a charming man." Mr.,
Depcw said. "a plain. everyday good
fellow. He always greeted those he met
as If he was really glad 10 see them.
as If he was delighted that they had
come along at that particular minute.
The last time saw him was IN the
White House, at reception and nuSi-
cal, Just short time before he left on
his trip to Alaska from which he was
not 10 return alive. He was not at all
we'll, but that did not affect his good
humor We had lust finished dinner
and were sitting In the music room.