Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-11-14
THIRTY MINUTES WITH THE
ADMINISTRATION.
Az INTERVIEW WITH POSTMASTER
GENERAL CRESWELL.

Az INTERVIEW WITH POSTMASTER
GENERAL CRESWELL.
The Late Eleetions-How Maryland
Schenck-The Future Policy or the
AdministratiOn-AB Revenue Tariff
Reduction Of Internal TaxasiOn-
Cisims-Gene,s ii buffers Canssian
Annexation Scheme No War
Peace at Home and AbrOad-Senator
Sehurz as a Disorganizer-GOyer
meut Salarte s-The Income Tax
Revenue Reform
Room No. 6, second story, south front, Of the
Post Office building, although it is the waiting
room dedicated to the use of those citizens OF
the Republic who may seek interviews with the
head Of our great postal department, is not cal
culated to impress any one with an extravagant
idea of the generosity of our government. The
first object demanding attention on entering it
lie dilapidated hair-cloth lounge, the four cor
ners of which have been worn away until
threadbare ceases to covey an idea of the pro-
gress Of its decomposition. The eye is next At
tracted to the diDgy, ink-spattered and
sHoCKINeLY SHABBY
condition Of the walls and carpets. On the
former, in vacant spaces between book or doc
ument cases, which look like kitchen pantries in
an old fashioned farmhouse, hang four steel
plate portraits, the frames Of which bear I'M
able evidence of times corroding power,
and the left hand corner Of one of them-the
picture Of James Madison-is devoted to the
business card of some
ENERGETIC LIVERY STABLE NAN,
and opposite 1t hangs the gaudy advertisement
OF somebody's unequalled French writing II uid.
We venture the assertion that all who have
visited this gorgeously impoverished apartment,
unless Immediately admitted to the presence Of
the Postmaster General, found it to be the most
dismal and discouraging room of the kind in any
Of our public buildings. When, q few days
since, We entered it and were compelled to await
q turn for N audience with Mr.. Cresswell. we
had plenty Of time to make a complete inven-
tory Of its contents, and to feel its depressing
influence. 1fanything could have added to the
dOlorous surroundings of the place, 1t was found
in the absence Of the curly-headed, tobacco
chewing messenger boy, just when wanted TO
take In our card, and In the presence of three or
four lugrubrious Virginia politicians, who were
their candidate for town constable. Finally relief
came in the person OF the aforesaid messenger,
who politely ushered US into the presence Of MT.
Or and without more ado returned TO
him can appreciate the prompt, energetic, and
business like character OF our deservedly popu-
lar Postmaster General. There was Q cordial
dignity in his situations which forthwith put us
at ease, and made our task Of inter viewing this
prominent member of the admins sratiOn a
pleasant one. "We are all very anxious, sir -
said we, "to learn your views regarding
THE RECENT RLECTIoNs,'
"The result has not surprised me-" he an
swered, "though, Of course, L am disappointed
in Maryland. ascribe the loss Of that State to
the energetic canvas made by the democrats
who brought out their entire strength, including
voters who had not been at the polls before for
thirty years, and to the jealousy or prejudice OF
voted against the democrats but who last Tues
day voted
AGAINST THE NEGROES.
Some OF them will learn before next year that
it will not hurt them to vote their own senti-
ments even it these sentiments are also voted for
by blvck men, and more of them will learn the
same thing the year following, so that il is not
impossible that we may carry the State at the
next Presidential election. Our people relied
Oh the majority which we evidently had by cal
culations based on the new registration; but
warned them not to be too confident. What
tell you about the
DETECTION OF WHITE vorR Frs
to the party know to be true from personal
observation, was in Elkton on the morning of
the election, and at Port Deposit In the evening,
and saw myself that we were losing votes in
that way. The good order maintained throughout
the State, OF which am certainly proud, is in
dicative Of condition Of the public mind which
is favorable to the increase of our strength. for
we are always strongest in abiding COM
munites. 1t Is not impossible that our demo-
cratic friends may have
CHEATED Us LITTLE;
but as l have said, the main cause of our de-
feat was the detection Of some Of our former
fdends."
How do you view the result at large Is di-
rectly affecting the Administration
"Well, as 1 said Def ore, am not surprised
The history OF all previous administrations will
show you that they have suffered similar treat
ment. In other words, the election intervening
between the Presidential contests has always
been and always will be more or less unfavorable
to the administration In power. 1t is natural
that it should be so, for it is season Of apathy,
or what the politicians call
THE 'oFF YEAR.
when the policy OF the administration is only
partially developed, has been but briefly dis
cussed, and is not well understood. was i'm
the 3Sth Congress, which, you remember, was
the second of Mr.. Lincoln's first term. We came
very near losing the House then.
THE BORDER STATES
alone saved us. In fact we had but a fair work
ing majority, and many Of our most important
war measures were carried by from fourteen to
twenty votes. The Freedmen's Bureau bill for
instance, was adopted by only one majority. So
you see there is nothing new in the present con-
dition of affairs. In fact think We might have
expected II, and I am certain that the President
didn't anticipate the reelection of all his
friends, After all, the most serious result
which follows our losses, is the disappointment
OF office seekers in our party, and they are not q
small class you know. They will not have their
representatives here to help them along; and they
will be compelled to wait and work for better
times in the future. think, on the whole, that
We will be better on with the
PAIR WORKING MAJORITY
which we have in the House than We would with
our former power. We were too strong. The
members were not compelled to consult With
each other; there were too many aspirants for
leadership, and there was too much opportunity
for the display Of personal jealouses. We viii be
free from all this now; there will be no risk Of
imTerium in imperio rings within rings, and there
will be greater and more confidential concert of
action. In short, am very well satisfied with
the result.
"There are especial losses" we suggested,
(which you no doubt have occasion to regret
"Yes, sill, }" he answered, "we have great rea-
son to regret the defeat OF Gen. Schenck. He is