The New York herald., 1873-08-28
Opinions Of an Official and a MiSsiSsip-
plan on the Great Topic.
Ex-senator FOOte on the Third
Term and jeff Davis.
A French Journal on the Presidents
Explanation.


come before them especially in midsummer when
everything like life in the Executive departments
slumbers day and night. For that reason the few
prominent individuals who believe in the infall-
bility the republican party loath to admit they
have read or even heard OF the HERALD's warning.
No less parsonage than e. B. Elliott, Chief Clerk
Of the Bureau of Statistics
SECRETARY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD,
advocate of an international system OF weights
and measures, himself weighing over 200,
with British breadth OF beam, and logarthms
slowed in every conceivable corner OF his brain;
who is supposed to have the facts for everything;
who searches for wisdom in agricultural reports and
dives into the depths Of essays poll economy
and gets larger newspaper exchange list than
the librarian of Congress; even he had never heard
the HERALD's voice on C9sarism. I sought to en-
tighten him, and, meeting him at an early hour in
the day. was hopeful before night OF getting some.
thing intelligible In the way an opinion
CORRESPONDENCE. Elliott, can best state the
DRIFT OF the articles referred to in this way will
President Grant be nominated for third term? viii
aeoep s WIN osa IS
II he Is Caesar, what will become OF the liberties
Mr. ELMoTT-Do you expect me to answer these
five propositions in single dayS Let me see.
Drop the first three and begin, win he be
DEPENDS UPON WHAT YOU CALL CAEsARIsM.
You see, unless you state the case mathematically
IL WOuiQ De Impossible IOr me TO give you correct
answer; and an imperfect answer, an incorrect
answer would be OF no use to the HERALD. Would it9
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES mind that, Mr.. Elliott,
service reform under tins administration, believe
that the tendency of that reform WILL be to prolong
Mr.. ELLIoTT-I cannot see how you should think
80. The President, 1t is true, warmly supports
termined to enforce the rules on every occasion
where the service would be benefited by his so
doing remember when the measure was first
a w da
signed to perpetuate the republican party In
power, and, as a sequence. to continue the Presi.
Executive why should he not In the same spirit be
retained In 0f1ceP Now, so for as know, and my
anybody's, should say that opinion was erroneous
and in no way redects the views OF the President.
you know TINS Isis, stu ha one
publican party is drifting into perpetual power for
il you deprive the politician OF the gift OF office.
In ONCE must be in favor OF the administration
continuing indefinitely, while those out OF ONCE
will be deprived Of the incentive to support new
Mr.. ELLIOTT never have thought so. II any
gst,sI great questions @ s9oq|d come Hp forming 9 nsE
lose Its hold on the affections OF the people,
Do NOT BELIEVE THE spoILs OF OFFICE WOULD
HAVE THE SLIGHTEST WEIGHT,
and am almost convinced that, should the demo-
cratic party be successful at the next Presidential
election, that the good results Of civil service re-
form would be so apparent that 1t would not be dis
turbed. cannot see what there Is to fear from
having competent men administer the affairs of
so lar in all appointments TO Office not requiring
confirmation by the Senate; and trust, before the
will be made for the higher olices without regard
to political sentiment.
CoRREsPoNDENT-But has not that tendency to
weaken interest in national matters, and rather
make Grants successor depend upon his magma
nimty in not allowing his name to be used third
timer
Mr.. ELLIOTT have failed to discern anything In
civil service reform antagonlstlc TO the welfare Of
asDt afa 9 r / hs sss any5ss F5ss
threatening to our liberties in the people eXercs-
ing their choice in 1876, any more than in 1Sos or
DO NOT ASSOCIATE CIVIL. SERVICE REFORM WITH
CAESARISN,
+ you please and give it trial before you con-
The portly statistican excused himself and was,
ten minutes after, immersed in an Official document
OF an unknown quantity.
Interview with Ex-senator Foote.
WASHINGTON, August &c. 1873.
Among the residents Of Washington who have
been prominent in political life in days past Is ex
Senator Henry s. Foote. OF Mississippi, who s ad-
vanced In age, but retains the fullest recollection
Of his experience when member OF the Senate.
His hostility, t0o to Jefferson Davis suggested an
interview with the ex-senator to get his views on
Casarism and the tendency Of the republican
party to perpetuate its power. Mr.. Foote said he
he took an opposite view to that presented in the
HERALD editorials he did not question the pro-
priety OF presenting the subject to the considera
tion of the people. 1t was always we'll to remind
the masses on what our government must depend
for its stability.
CoRREsPoNDENT-Wha do you think Of the agta.
ton of the subject OF CesarismS
Mr.. FOoTE-There is in my opinion
NOT THE LEAST ANALOGY
between the condition of the Roman people in the
days of the First or Second Cesar and that OF the
people OF the United States at the present moment.
and no lnferences drawn from this remote source
can be made at all available lor the elucidation of
the probable future OF our own country. The
Roman populace, In point OF fact, were embraced,
even in the days Of Rome's greatest freedom and
prosperity, In the Roman plebs. Rome never was
democracy; 1t never attempted to make itself
representative democracy or republic. 1t was
never more nor less than selfish and tyrannical
aristocracy, beneath whose sceptre the great mass
OF the Roman populace groaned in continual servi-
CoRREspoNDENr-But may we not be drifting
into state OF affairs which will border on
Mr.. FooTE-Not, in my opinion, while President
Grant lives am confident that II he had thou
sand lives he would freely risk them all In defence
Of our republican institutions. am quite as con-
ndent, too, that no American patriot now living
has more respect for the example and character of
to running for the Presidency third time, am
Wen satisfied that he has neither said nor done
aught to Justify q suspicion that he has the least
wish to be elected to the Presidency Tor an addi-
The ears OF Washington were assailed with the
same sounds, and so were those OF Andrew Jackson
also. But the enemies OF the principles or progress
and the foes OF reconstruction should bear IN mind
that there Is no clause OF the constitution ior;
bidding any President running and being elected
Tor third term; that the important lac6 tnat Tue