The New York herald., 1873-09-23


and not as to his political achievements. II found
the man selected was capable OF discharging the
duties OF the once sent his name forward to Con-
gress for confirmation. But. then, any mistakes or
abuse Of confidence can readily be remedied by the
recalling power vested In the President.
ION one occasion there was to be an important
foreign appointment made. had promised to give
1t to PENNSYLVANIA, provided suitable candidate
should be endorsed. A large delegation OF pohti-
clans waited upon me from that State and nom-
mated man, who, to all appearance, was entirely
satisfactory His recommendations were cOnsid-
cred ample, and, after the usual inquiry (Which
was as scrutlnizing as pOssible). the gentleman
was ordered to Washington. He was nominated and
confirmed by Congress, and appointed him. He
drew his outfit money, and having provided himself
with the necessares for an ocean voyage, started
for New York. While in New York, however,
he behaved in the most outrageous manner. He
drank and gambled away his advances, and alto
getner cut a most ungentlemanly, undipomatic
figure. heard Of 1t ana instantly recalled him.
thus, believe, saving the exposure OF unitness
tnat must have followed, ana Immediately ap-
pointed another man In his place. Thus, you see,
the remedy quickly followed the evil"
OUR FOREIGN RELArIoNs-CUBA.
"By your remark with reference to the excep-
tom in the present Cabinet do l understand you
to mean that you endorse our foreign policys"
'To great extent, yes," replied Mr. Fillmore.
ave do not want to be mixed up with the internal
affairs Of other nations. During Washington's
time admit 1t was great din1culty to avoid being
drawn into the vortex OF the European war. The
French had doubtless been Of great Service to us,
and their appeals for aid almost goaded the people
to frenzy, but it entirely due to the calm judg
ment and splendid executive ability OF George
English nation, who were cordially hated on this
side of the ocean after our struggles with them.
"ltfs difficult sometimes to avoid the shoals that
foreign representatives may plant in the way. At
the time Kossuth was here with his retinue he
called upon Mr.. Webster at the State Department,
and requested an interview or an Introduction.
Mr.. Webster came to me and said :-'Kossuth has
called at the Department and desires an tntroduc-
tion.' l knew K0ssuth was not a statesman; he
depended entirely upon his Oratory. III he desires
simply an introduction, said to Webster, will
see him, but II he wants to make speech to me,
must most respectfully decline to see him. He
has promised me not to make speech, replied
Webster. very well, them said, Il will see him.
''The next day Kossuth appeared with brilliant
retinue, and on being introduced, instantly COM
menced a lengthy speech When he had finished
briefly stated that had misunderstood the object
OF his interview at first but most decidedly could
not and would not interfere In the affairs of
foreign nation.
"From this point OF view," continued Mr.. Fill.
uore, "a think our dealings with Spain in refer
ence to Cuba have been the safest that could be
adopted. 1t may take few years, but In the end,
with the encouragement derived from the free
institutions OF the United States Cuba VIII either
be free from Spanish rule or be annexed to
America"
ONE PRESIDENTIAL TERM AND A PENSION.
We now drifted again into the much mooted
question OF the Presidency. asked what Mr.. Fill
more's views were upon the subject, believing
that from his experience as First Magistrate, he
was eminently fitted to speak Of the matter. He
began by deprecating the methods now resorted
to by persons in power to increase their incomes
while in Office no matter by what means 1t was
degrading. he said, that high ofiicias should use
their official positions as kind OF commercial
business, out of which to extract large incomes
He charged most Of the corruption that now exists
to the elective system. If man attended con-
vention and was nominated for an elect0r he was
pledged before hand to give his vote for q certain
man only, and he could not do otherwise.
sNow, remember when it was proposed" said
my informant ITO abolish the present electoral
system altogether and leave the election of Presi-
dent to the senior members OF the United States
Senate. OF course, no one would have known be-
forehand who was to be elected, and his political
color would not be known until afterwards, thus
saving the country endless excitement and pre-
venting that interruption to business and CONNER
cial interests that sometimes Although the
citizens repelled the idea, because every man be-
lieved to have in himself the right by birth OF an
expression OF opinion on this subject there was
considerably more wisdom in the proposition than
was generally seen.
81 would, however, prefer that the spirit Of the
constitution be adhered to. washington and Lin
coin lived in exceptional times, but l would rather
see precedent Of only one term established. That
term would make SIX years instead OF four, as
now, which would enable the success ul candidate
to entirely master the duties OF the Office, and
would extend by one-half the periods between
which these election interruptions occur to the
country.
A PRESIDENT ON HALFPAY.
"But would 60 further in the way OF revising
the constitution. With the view OF preventing
this tranicing while in once, in order to provide
for the days that are to follow an exit from the
White House, would pension the outgoing Presi-
dent by permitting him to draw an annual amount
equal to the half OF his salary while in Office, this
to continue as long as ne lives.
'Ls Is Q national disgrace that our Presidents,
after having occupied the highest position In the
country, should be cast adrit ana, perhaps, be
compelled to keep corner grocery for subsist-
ence. We make bargain with our United States
Supreme Court Judges, and agree that after the
expiration Of twenty years. service IN the Appel
late Court II they shall be seventy years OF age,
we will give them pension. The Lord High Chan
celor Of England, when he goes out or ONCE,
receives a handsome pension to compensate
him for the loss Of his profession, which
he cannot follow afterwards. But we elect man
TO the Presidency, expect him to be honest to give
up lucrative profession, perhaps, and after we
have done with him we let him go into seclusion
and perhaps poverty See the case OF the late Mrs.
Lincoln. liked my profession and should have
been glad to have continned 1T after my retirement
from the Presidency but couldn't do 80 because
my colleagues at the bar would say, and quite natu-
rally, here, you have been to the pinnacle and
ought TO be content In that way entirely agree
with the increase OF $4,000 year, 10 General
Grants income because his $4,000. considering