White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1867-12-26
satisfactory. Twill report The principal part

u the conversation.
Mr. Weed introduced me as An influential
member Of the Western press, whose state. |
nents would doubtless control the delegations |
,f the Western States in the Chicago Conven-
ion. The General shook me by the hand,
md Immediately proffered US his cigar-case,
"Since I have undertaken to re-
french the public xpenditures, l have felt it
my duty to set the same example in my private
affairs; am therefore compelled to offer you
an article that cost but forty dollars per boz.
But find that the use of an inferior article i.
gradually weaving ne Of the habit Of smoking
Il do not now average more than half box
per day. If I remain in public life much Ion
ger, shall probably grow sick of the Weea-
hs! ha.'
After few preliminary observations. ap-
preached the subject which we had come to
discuss, BY saving: "Well, General, since my
friend Weed has alluded TO the Chicago Con-
vention, what is your opinion Of the Presider
tial prospectsi''
at is true saying" he replied, E" that the
race is not always to the swift; and | do not
propose to risk my purse on the result, until
know the stock that will be entered en- the
lists"
"Khst do you say TO Thsd Stevens7"
"Stevens was man of noble mett!e, in his
day; but he Is ready to be turned out on the
common TO die. He is spawned, and wind
broken, and hip shot, and very old-so old. in
fact, that you cannot tell his age BY his teeth.
"What about Ben. Wade?"
"Wade" replied Grant, excitedly. ooh,
the whinneying old gelding! He 10 distem-
pered. sir-badly distenpered. Why, if you
will believe me. sat in the lobby OF the
House, the whole. time the vote was being ia
ken on the Impeachment of the President, and
the sweetest sound to my ears was Nay.
Not that particularly -ympathiled with the
President, understand me. bu. because knew
that if he was impeached, that vicious old
mule, Wade, would occupy his stall for the
balance of the term; and that, to me, was srf
ficient ground for opposing impeachment. A
regular old hack, sir, and hot worth a dam
Why, the old scrub says can talk nothing but
horse"'
"Well, there is Gen raj Butler" said /.
"Hands of, there! Butler is terribly frac
tious, and would kick over the traces in less
than year, making worse baIk in the Gov
ernment than We are now experiencing. Il
you 60 about it properly, you Ca, curry favo
with Mr.. johnson; but the more you woult
curry Butler, the worse he would kick"
"Then, there is Judge Chase, who is Spoken
Of in many quarters"
"Chase has some good parts; but he ha
been made the pack horse Of our whole fnan
cial policy, until he is in poor condition Il
make the race. He has too many raw spots
and would hardly be able to hold up under hi
gangrened back.
What of Colfaxr'
"Colfax has speed and bottom. and is per
fectly reliable. But his misfortune is, that hi
performances have been confined principally t
the rural districts; and you will find, when
comes to the scratch, that those high stak
fellows who manage Presidential races, will
refuse to back him.
"How about Phil Sheridan2"
"AhI now you have cons' to the topples
| boy IN the ~huie iot. Sif, he Is Sound in ifm
and wind, and would go over the course a
two-forty speed, making the fro o. at ever
bound"
"But. General" suggested, "oublic opin
ion is setting strongly in favor of yourself 70
the place. What have you to say to that!"
"Oh," he replied. "you have now got nj
into corner where must be excused from
expressing an opinion. But I will say this
that as have in no manner sought the place
| if they force me Oh to the track. must 20 un
encumbered BY any extra weight, and shall no
consent to be harnessed down to a heavy loa,
of what is called policy, to drag over tn,
course"
"Hsve you never contemplated the posi-
bility of your election to the Office, and though
uron line Of policy1"
"Well, yes; it is impossible to hear tn,
matter discussed evey day, and mt thinI
something about it. believe, after all, tha
more depends upon selecting the right kind o
advisers and assistant. than anything ese?"
"Have you ever planned out, in your Owl
mind, list Of persons to fil the Cabiuc. eff
ces, in case of your election1"
"Yes, l have copJured up lis. to seiec
from. think it is q mistaken idea that mel
who have been long prominent before the pub
lie, are the only ones qualified for those hisf
positions believe that it would fre1uentl,
be better to take men from more obscure
walks Of life, and those of less extensive Ia
tional reputation
"Have you any objection to mentioning
some of the names on your list7"
"Not at all. think Governor Morgan, o
New York, would make proper Secretary Of
State. ! always had partiality for the Nor
gan stock. General Steedman would be q
suitable man for the War Department. Then
have the names of Mr.. Dexter. of Massacbu
sets; Mr.. Horsford, Of Maine; Mr.. Colt, Of
Connecticut; Mr.. Coffin, the Cincinnati bell.
founder; Mayor Filley, Of 81. Louis; Judge
Brinkerhoof, Of Ohio; Captain Studley, of the
army; Mr.. Chestnut. of South Carolina; Col
onel Roane, of Tennessee; Captain John Hay,
formerly Lincoln's Private Secretary; Doctor
Hostetter, Of Pittsburg; and many others. I
should give foreign born citizens fair show
in, and have had my eye on General Sweeney
of the Fenian army, and the eloquent German
orator Of Ohio-soms such name as Hossrack.
The list embraces all sections, from the river