The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-17
FIRST EDITIO N


ington-His Opinion of that 'sTelegrnph PoIe''
Sherman-He Admits that he Is Crazy.
Senator Sprague, or "Little RhOdy" as he is IA
miliarly known has attained considerable notoriety
by recent speech he delivered in the United States
Senate. number OF journalists called upon him
recently, and an interesting interview took place
which is thus reported. In speaking Of his recent
addresses the Senator said:-
~ have been to New York" observed the Senator,
ITO make arrangements for the printing OF my
speeches l shall have sixty thousand copies
printed, and II the people want more they shall have
them-a million for that matter must he printed.
do not think my money could be better spent 1t
will 20 for the instruction and enlightenment OF my
countrymen, who want both these things badly.
silent, sure and fearful weight Is crushing them to
the earth, and they do not know IT but they feel feel
substance Is decaying, dying, melting away; but as
long as think know the cause and the cure, L am
not going to sit down, fold my arms and let the coun
try go the devil If felt like acting such cowards
part would prefer leaving the country forever, and
my means are ample enough to make life pleasant in
whatever foreign land might go TO. Look here
he exclaimed, pointing to long row of bundles on
the mantelpece, there are letters from every part
of the nation, from OF all parties and all Cond
tions, asking for copies of my late speeches just
run your eye over one of these bundles he con-
tnued handing us a lot embracing over one hundred
and fifty letters received by the morning mail. We
did SO, and not without sincerely believing that in
spite Of all that is said to the contrary Sprague has
touched the most vital chord ia the popular heart
''Well, Senator" said We, ''the worklngmen OF
Washington call upon you tonight What will you
have to say to them?"
'There it is" he replied, pointing to seven or eight
pages of manuscript which General Halstead, gem
teman with an iron grey moustache as large as
cataract, was diligently engaged in copying
"Does that complete the series of your speeches.
GOVERNOR? we asked, using his titles alternately for
''Yes sir; that's the first series complete. have
got the Senate now, sure. ! have got EN-; yes, sir
have got 'em right So" saying which the Senator
laughed Rrimly held up his hand and gave an illus
ratiOn, by doubling up his fingers Of the firm hold
he had on the entire body of the United States
Senate.
'Got Anthony, too SUPPOSE"
"Yes Anthony and the whole caboodle. Got 'em
in a tight place, too. They have no mercy to expect
from me-
the members towards you latey?'
''Well, before this recent occasion OF my speaking
in the Senate, these fellows treated me as If was
puppy dog, to be kicked around and paid no atten-
ton to. If they wanted any fayors from me- they
came and patted me on the back, said 'Sprague is
modest, nice fellOw-nicest fellow in the world-but
too modest and too generous to get along in politics.
The moment however, l showed them what
and what thought of them l was puppy dog no
longer. No, sir; growled too loud for puppy dog
I'm mastitf now, and they are the puppy dogs"
why don't they put you on the Committee of
''Thats it." replied the Senator, 81 trod on Sher-
mans corns, and there's the trouble. The last time
made up wanted to go on the Finance Committee,
but Sherman worked against me, and got such
pukes put on as Cattell and Warner And now what
have these fellows done with that long telegraph
pole, Sherman, at their head? Not a man OF them
delivering idea out of that mutton-head of his
upon the proper means or checking our hnan-
cial decay! The greatest blessing that has be-
fallen the country is that the committees OF both
houses which have anything to do with our finances
and taxation have had so few of their bills passed
"People say, Governor, that they do not compre-
hend exactly what you are driving at. Some insinu-
ate that you bidding for the Presidency; others
that You want to cut loose from your party and still
more state in downright terms that you are crazy"
"Hold on!' exclaimed the Governor; ''et me
swer the last charge. Yes-I am crazy--crazy, as
world Because refuse to follow in the ruts of that
set calling itself the Senate of the United States, the
10 rai COZ OF lG
let them know before long exactly how crazy am.
/ am not bidding for the Presidency either. If it
were offered to me tomorrow should only take 1t
conditions of being at liberty to kick out of the
White House every otce-seeker that dare come into
it. Not man should be appointed under me to
office because he was this mans friend or that mans
supporter. | would have an incOrruptibe board of
examiners for every office under the Government,
and no man should be appointed unless he showed
the proper capacity to fill it, would disregard party
altogether, and put only the best men in the nation
in places OF trust but as know such condition of
things can never be attained the Presidency is not
my ambition. Neither ara about to cut loose from
my party and attach myself to the Democratic.
Both as parties rotten, but / intend to build
up new party, in which politics will have
little to do My party viii have for Its one grand
money cheap, the reduction of taxation, the eleva-
tlOn OF the working classes, the protection of labor
mercial, and manufacturing interests-n short, the
making of this country really great, strong, and
prosperous. All our talk about the nl2ger, nigger
suffrage State rights womens rights, rebels and so
forth, is only tit for these old grannes in Congress-
'Well, Governor, when do you intend to renew
your attack on Legislative incompetency and corrup-
ton ~
ain due time | shall have my heavy artillery in po-
sition, and shall blaze away at every mark worth
shot. I'm not going to waste any ammunition. If
attacked OF course shall reply; but in few days
must go home and recruit, and by the middle of
summer my health will be fully recuperated, and by
the time Congress assemblies again my voice will be
heard about the Of those fellows up there at the
Capitol
Here we bade the Senator good afternoon, with %
parting word OF announcement to tight it out ON that
line il it took him till the return of spring.