viction that he was a man to depend upon. As one rough fellow said to me in the hotel saloon: "Well, I don't know about his learnin' or how he stands on a lot of questions that we don't understand, and don't want to, but he's a safe man, and he's pretty sure to understand them better than we do, and he'll do the right thing.” Solidity of Character.

I suppose that this kind of faith in character is one of the most inestimable discoveries that a man can make, and I was interested to find that the element of popularity did not grow out of the subject good fellowship, or mere manners. I failed to hear any one say that Grover Cleveland had any magnetism, or that he fascinated a crowd, or that he drew people after him with a personal glamour.

On

liarly the outcome and result of what is best and most enduring in American life. As we have already seen, he started like the typical American boy to hew his own way The almost insuperable difficulties of his youth, the hardships of poverty, pangs of hunger, the frosts of winter never deterred him. They were in fact, as they always are to the true metal, only the blows that compacted and shaped the man. We hear a great deal nowadays about men being all American. Obviously there are some American things which a man had better be without. It is not pleasant to contemplate a man whose character reflects the heterogeneous and discordant elements of our complex life. Nor is it safe to trust with heavy responsibilities that man whose chief element of Americanism is impatience of restraint, the contrary, I formed a very distinct nodisrespect for the past and an unswerving tion that there was a class of men that he desire to be smart rather than right. The best elements of our American life have always come up from the hardy, vigorous stratum that was nearest to the soil and in some way dependent on it. The abiding glory of the country has been in its defiant boys with God-fearing ancestors, boys who had organized in them by a race of humble but devout pioneers the patience and industry to achieve and the reverence to respect. It is to men of this fibre that the republic has always gone in its emergencies-turning in extremity from its politicians, its doctrinaries and its workers of statecraft, back to the elemental, vital, honest forces that underlie all its achievements and that are oftenest found in the sturdy, modest, indomitable workers who have not sought the political race.

At his Home.

repelled, and that disliked him as easily, as naturally and as sincerely as a thief hates a magistrate or a smuggler hates a dead calm Indeed it was impossible to discover either in the man's record or in the reputation that had grown up about him anything dramatic. The resultant heroism of his life is that common heroism of the "common" work-a-day world which does its duty, not for effect, but for a principle and a purpose, and which, if it does not so easily catch the eye and the ear, is after all the enduring force that the people come to look for and rely upon when there is great work to be done. I looked into his law offices on Main street—this later laboratory where were evolved the legal functions that came into the public service of his own community They were curiously solid and unpretentious, and upstairs were the bachelor rooms where for

A writer who visited Buffalo for the pur-years Grover Cleveland had slept and pose of learning facts concerning the worked. I examined them minutely, for Governor, says:

I had an opportunity to converse with several persons who had known their Mayor long and well. I found a sterling regard for the man everywhere, and it was a regard uninfluenced by political bias. Among those best able to form independent opinions, this regard was obviously founded on character. Among the people themselves there was a well-defined con

one often obtains a glimpse of character by such entourage. And they were instantly indicative of the simple tastes, methodical habits and studious life of the occupant. Two or three pictures, evidently selected not for decoration, but because the owner prized the subject and admired the treatment, hung on the walls. But there was elsewhere not a superfluous article in the room. Elegance had been

Views expressed when Mayor of Buffalo on the Re- hither its immigration and provided a

In all lands where the semblance of liberty is preserved, the right of a person arrested to a speedy accusation and trial is, or ought to be, a fundamental law as it is a rule of civilization. At any rate, we hold it to be so, and this is one of the rights which we undertake to guarantee to any native-born or naturalized citizen 'And this protection adheres to us in of ours, whether he be imprisoned by order all lands and places as an incident of of the Czar of Russia or under the pretext citizenship. Let but the weight of a sacri- of a law administered for the benefit of legious hand be put upon this sacred the landed aristocracy of England. We thing and a great, strong government do not claim to make laws for other counsprings to its feet to avenge the wrong. tries, but we do insist that whatsoever those Thus it is that the native-born American laws may be, they shall, in the interests of

human freedom and the rights of mankind | Probably more preachers were reared out

so far as they involve the liberty of our citizens, be speedly administered. We have a right to say and do say, that mere suspicion without examination on trial is not sufficient to justify the long imprisonment of a citizen of America. Other nations may permit their citizens to be thus imprisoned. Ours will not. And this in effect has been solemnly declared by statute.

of his family than any other in the country They all taught the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church for a small price and died poor. Mr. Cleveland's father left some ten children, which were about his only available assets when he died. Hence it went out that he was too poor to marry until so well grounded in his bachelor ways that he could not be tempted from them by the comeliest girl in the land. "We have met here to-night to consider There are no traditions that he ever this subject and inquire into the cause and courted a lass. Yet it is true that he did the reasons and the justice of the imprison- and that the picture of that one still rement of certain of our fellow citizens now mains by his side. It is true that he was held in British prisons without the semb- and, as the world goes, still he is poor. lance of a trial or legal examination. Our As is already stated in this narrative it law declares that the government shall was not until a few years ago that he felt act in such cases. But the people are the able to pay back the money be borrowed creators of the government. The un- to bring him West in 1855. He only got daunted apostle of the Christian religion, his legal education by a pretty tough fight imprisoned and persecuted, appealing with adversity and it took him four years centuries ago to the Roman law and the of drudgery in the office of Rogers & rights of Roman citizenship, boldly de- Bowen before he was admitted to practice. manded Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman and uncondemned?'

So, too, might we ask, appealing to the law of our land and the laws of civilization: 'Is it lawful that these, our fellows, be imprisoned, who are American

citizens and uncondemned?' I deem it

an honor to be called upon to preside at such a meeting and I thank you for it. What is your further pleasure?"

Grover Cleveland's Romance.

Grover Cleveland came of a somewhat singular and peculiar family. All his ancestors were strong people, but turning to the church for a living they were always poor. The city is full of reminiscences of his fight for a place in the city of his adoption, but the story of his boyhood days have to be gathered from another locality But very few persons know why he never married, perhaps none do. The mishap that left him to tread the wine-press of life alone was a painful one, but it left the sting before he came to Buffalo. Ever since his residence in Buffalo he has lived with his law books and his profession. Although he is reputed to be a good, genial companion, fond of life and the world, he has shunned society and lived for his mother and sisters, who needed his help.

Governor Cleveland's Fortune.

It has been generally supposed by a majority of people in Buffalo that Grover Cleveland was a wealthy man. He has always lived in style, boarding at the Tifft House when here, and the centre of a group of bachelor friends, all of whom are

possessed of independent fortunes. Since his election as Governor, but especially since he has been mentioned as a candidate of the Democratic party for President, this rumor has assumed more than its former proportions. It has for a few days been harped upon by prominent anti-monopolists and labor leaders that the Governor was possessed of a fortune of more than $100,000, upon a greater part of which he paid no taxes.

To gain some information upon this vexed subject an inquirer after the truth visited the Assessor's office and made a thorough investigation. It was found that the books there make the Governor's fortune far smaller than do his enemies. The sum total against him is a tax upon $5,000 worth of personal property. No mention of any real or landed estate is made and it is safe to say he owns none inside the corporate limits of the city. It cannot be truthfully said that Governor

Cleveland is possessed of a hurtful auguration as Governor he came down amount of property

A Love Story.

When Governor Cleveland was just able to support himself he became enamored of a young woman who was a relative of the late Judge Verplanck. The girl was not disposed to look favorably on his suit and this made him love her the more. She delighted in tantalizing him by permitting other young men to escort her home from the old Eagle Street Theatre, which was then the only place of amusement of any account in the city The girl was comparatively wealthy and looked down on Grover, who was a poor lawyer. After awhile she got to thinking fondly of him, and it is said that they were engaged

to be married when she was taken ill with
a fever and died. Cleveland did not re-
cover from the shock for several
months, and though he has a bachelor's
liking for pretty ladies his friends say that
he will never marry
One lady became so
infatuated with him that she proposed to
him. He rejected her advances and it is
said that she became crazy and is now
confined in an asylum.

from Buffalo quietly with his law partner, Mr. Bissell, went to the Executive Mansion and spent the night. On the morrow the city was excited with the approaching

ceremonies. The streets were crowded, but there was to be no military parade, no procession. The Governor-elect walked from the Executive Mansion in company with his friend to the Capitol, which is a mile distant, joining the throngs that were going that way He entered the building unrecognized, but quite at his case, sauntered up the Executive Chamber and was there met by Gov Cornell. The moment the inaugural ceremony was over he passed into the spacious Executive Chamber which is set apart for his use, ordered that the doors should be opened to admit anybody, and went immediately to work. Pristine Democracy

Never was any important public event so completely stripped of its fuss and feathers. Never was a more radical change effected in the official routine of the Executive Department. Hitherto there were all sorts of delays and impediments in the path to the Governor Cards had to be A friend of the Governor told a reporter sent in, ushers conducted citizens into a romantic story of how a lady living near anterooms and left them to cool their heels Poughkeepsie engaged in correspondence on the State's tessellated floor But the with the Governor since he was elected moment Grover Cleveland took possession Mayor, and that a tender feeling had he issued on order to admit anybody at sprung up between them. They have met once who wished to see him. And up to but four times, once when Cleveland was the present time he has been quite able Sheriff, a few years later at Saratoga, after himself to prevent this return to republican Cleveland was elected Mayor and once simplicity from being abused. His habits since he has been Governor. This friend are indicative of his dislike of ostentation said that it was quite likely that the lady and official parade and of his methodical would be married by Cleveland if elected and industrious training. He walks from President, and that she would grace the the Executive Mansion every morning at White House parlors at his reception. 9 o'clock to the Capitol and goes straight The lady is described as being a charming to work. At 130 he walks back to his brunette, about thirty-five years old, with pleasing manners and considerable erty. This incident is given for what it is worth as one of the rumors of the day

Personal Peculiarities.

prop

lunch, which takes an hour.

He then re

turns on foot to work again and remains until 6, when he goes to dinner. He is back at 8 and generally stays until 11 or 12. He keeps no horses or extra servants and has not been known to ride since he All the traits of assiduous industry, un- has been in Albany except for an occaostentatious dignity, thoroughness and sional pleasure jaunt. The amount of simplicity, noted in Grover Cleveland's work thus accomplished—as his private early career are observable in his present secretary, Mr. Daniel S. Lamont, testifies life at Albany On the day before his in--is something enormous.

He is not a rich man, in spite of his frugal bachelor habits. He does much free legal work for poor clients and has a way of assisting them which, though most creditable to his conscience, does not put money in his purse. He is also a liberal benefactor of all the charities of Buffalo, a city peculiarly active in this work.

His Strength as a Candidate.

Mr. Cleveland's strength as a candidate is due to his strong conservatism, his unsullied character, his sympathy with straightforward, business methods in politics, his exceptional standing with the independent reform element the country over and his ability to inspire people with the belief that he may be trusted to do nothing for purely partisan purposes. Few men unite in themselves so many considerations of fitness and expediency If elected he may be trusted to expose jobs turn out and keep out thieves and give the country a manly, conservative administration of his own.

As a Lawyer and a Man.

Mr. Cleveland's rank at the bar is a high

one.

He is careful and methodical as a

What Mr. Curtis Says. "The nomination of Governor Cleveland defines sharply the actual issue of the presidential election of this year He is a man whose absolute official integrity has never been questioned, who has no laborious and doubtful explanations to undertake, and who is universally known as the Governor of New York elected by an unprecedented majority which was not partisan, and represented both the votes and the consent of an enormous body of Republicans, and who as the Chief Executive of the State has steadily withstood the blandishments and the threats of the worst elements of his party, and has justly earned the reputation of a courageous, independent and efficient friend and promoter of administrative reform. His name has become that of the especial representative among our public men of the integrity, purity and economy of administration which are the objects of the most intelligent and patriotic citizens. The bitter and furious hostility of Tammany Hall and of General Butler to Governor Cleveland is his passport to the confidence of good men, and the general conviction that Tammany will do all that it can to defeat him, will be an additional incentive to the voters who cannot support Mr. Blaine, and who are unwilling not to vote at all, to secure the election of a candidate whom the political rings and the party traders instinctively hate and unitedly oppose."

business man, which, united to his faculty of going to the bottom of all questions, gives him the principal elements essential to success in his profession. He presents his case well and closely, whether the argument is made before a court or a jury, but does not indulge in any exhibition of pyrotechnics. His vocabulary is ample but not overwhelming or exhaustive, as is in so often the case with professional legal shown himself to be, that he is denounced talkers. He is a hard worker, and a large, reliable and commanding practice is his reward.

In the presentation of Grover Cleveland's record to the readers of this biography, it has been the object to reflect him as he is apart from any bias or one-sided statements, and hence the following extract is published.

Public Interests Before Party. So firm and "clean" and independent his high office has Gov Cleveland

as not being a Democrat by his Democratic opponents. This denunciation springs from the fact that he has not hesitated to prefer the public welfare to the mere interest of his party. Last autumn, when the Democratic District-Attorney of Queen County was charged with misconduct, the Governor heard the accusation and the defense, and decided that it was It will be remembered that George Wil- his duty to remove the officer. He was liam Curtis is a leader in the Republican asked by his party friends to defer the Party, and was a delegate from New York removal until after the election, as otherin the Chicago Convention that nominated wise the party would lose the district by James G. Blaine. The following appears the opposition of the Attorney's friends. as his leading editorial in Harpers' Weekly: The Governor understood his duty and