not the man the position, and as a public officer he has done more to destroy political rings than any other man who has been invested with executive

power for a long time. His fight for right and justice for the taxpayers of the city of New York brought him into disfavor with Tammany Hall."

Mr. Matthias B. Smith, a founder of the firm of Dun, Barlow & Co., said :-"I think the nomination of Governor Cleveland should be regarded as a real cause for congratulation, not alone by his own party, but by all Americans who have business or other interests at stake. In his administration as Governor he has shown a prudence and capacity that guarantee the best results should he be called to the Chief Magistracy. I think his election would conduce to promote the interests of the commercial community, and he would suffer no sudden changes to be made which would unsettle business or in any way deteriorate from the national prosperity.

"I think Cleveland's nomination the best and strongest that could be made," said General George B. McClellan, at his charming residence on the brow of Orange Mountain last evening to a Herald reporter. "I believe he will be elected," the General continued. "He will carry New Jersey, of course, and by a handsome majority. The Democratic platform is a very good one."

Mr. J. C. Havemeyer, in reply to a question as to whether he thought the election of Cleveland

would have a simulating effect on business, said :— "The present administration tends to foster monopolies, and I believe the sentiment of the business men is to change this policy as soon as possible. Mr. Cleveland, I think, is the right man to change this system. He represents the reform element of his party. He has shown in his administration that he had more regard for the real interests of the people than for the interests of the politicians. Therefore he has gathered about him all that is good and has made enemies of all that is bad; and this, it seems to me, is a very healthy condition. This has made him prominent."

"What do you think of the principles set forth in the platform ?"

"Platforms upon which a candidate stands before the public are of no consequence in a case like this. I look more to the man than to the platform, for platforms are framed to catch votes. Mr. Cleveland is not a partisan, and that is why I like him. I think he is an extremely safe man to be President, and I believe he will be elected."

CHAPTER VIL

MR. CLEVELAND NOTIFIED.

A NOTABLE GATHERING IN ALBANY-THE SCENE AT THE EXECUTIVE MANSION WHEN THE NOMINEE WAS OFFICIALLY INFORMED OF HIS SELECTION-THE GOVERNOR'S DIGNIFIED REPLY-A RALLY AT NIGHT.

THE Committee charged with the duty of formally presenting the edict of the last Chicago Convention and those public characters who accompanied them in performing the task made up an assemblage of notables, such as had not for years, if ever, been gathered together for a like purpose. Every train and boat which came in this morning brought prominent Democrats from all parts of the country, and before noon the rotunda of the Delevan House presented much the appearance of one of the Washington hotels when Congress is in session.

Besides men of prominence in the politics of almost every State in the Union the members of the national Democratic and Congressional committees were on hand. About noon ex-Speaker Randall arrived and was all day surrounded by a large crowd of admirers. Perhaps there were fifty prominent personages, representing the best elements of the party, brought here to see and partici

pate in the notable event made doubly so by the character of the assemblage.

At ten o'clock the national committee met at the Delevan House, but its chairman, ex-Senator Barnum, was not present and Congressman J. S. Barbour, of Virginia, presided. It transacted no

business except to name an executive committee, consisting of William H. Barnum, Connecticut, exofficio; A. P. Gorman, Maryland; M. W. Ransom, North Carolina; B. F. Jonas, Louisiana; Hubert O. Thompson, New York; William A. Wallace, Pennsylvania; John S. Barbour, Virginia; William F. Vilas, Wisconsin; Austin H. Brown, Indiana; M. M. Hamm, Iowa; H. D. McHenry, Kentucky; P. H. Kelly, Minnesota; Bradley B. Smalley, Vermont; A. W. Sulloway, New Hampshire; F. W. Dawson, South Carolina; W. W. Armstrong, Ohio; Miles Ross, New Jersey; S. Corning Judd, Illinois; J. B. Barnaby, Rhode Island, and John G. Prather, Missouri. Charles J. Canda, of New York, was re-elected treasurer. The committee adjourned about noon to meet again at three o'clock to accompany the notification committee to the Executive Mansion.

It was about ten minutes past three o'clock when the Democratic Phalanx, of Albany, a fine-looking body of men, headed by a band, appeared at the Delevan House to escort the notification committee and distinguished visitors to the Executive Mansion. Despite the rain and mud they marched through

the street, while the committees were taken up in carriages. Along the line of march, in spite of the inclement weather, there were crowds of people gathered. It was after half-past three o'clock when the procession reached the Governor's house. The mansion had been thrown open before the visitors reached there and quite a number of prominent men had gathered in the parlors, which had been beautifully decorated for the occasion. In the centre of each, at the foot of the large mirrors that hang against the walls, there were great banks of flowers, and other floral decorations were placed about the rooms. It was just four o'clock when the committees were all gathered in the east parlor ready to receive the nominee, and Colonel Vilas stepped toward the centre of the room.

At this moment Governor Cleveland entered the room alone, stepped across it and, with his back to the bank of exotics, waited Colonel Vilas' speech. He was received with a round of applause as he faced the company. The room at this moment presented a very interesting picture. It was well crowded with leading men of his party. To his right stood his two sisters, Mrs. W. E. Hayt, of Fayettesville, in this State, and Miss R. E. Cleveland, the maiden sister who still lives in the little home cottage at Holland Patent. To his left and near Mr. Bissell, of Buffalo, his law partner, were his two nieces, Miss Mary and Carry Hastings, daughters of his sister who for twenty odd years

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