The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-14
THE POLITICAL LOOKOUT.


INTERVIEW WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL PIERRE
PoNT-EvERYTHINa IN A STATE OF CHAOS
AUTHORITATIVE DECLARATION REGARDING THE
THIRD TERM-GENERAL GRANT NOT A cASDI-
DArE-THE COMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
SARATOGA, August 10, 1875
Attorney General Pierrepont only here day,
but was already beseged with influential visitors.
While seated late last evening upon the piazza Of the
hotel, had few minutes conversation with him on
political matters Il will readily be thai his utter
significant for what they do not say, for
what they say Silence often speaks louder than the
most glowing eloquence.
asked him first what he thought of the probable re-
suit in Ohio.
81 really have no opinion the subject" he re-
piled, everything in Uniformed, chaotic con
dition, that is impossible 10 give opinion that
would be Of any practical value"
then called his attention TO the manner in which
the third term agitation had been revived in Chicago
and TO the HERALDs editorial this sgni1
cant incident
THIRD TERM AGAIN
The HERALD is of course, very watchfnl OF the peo
ples true interests" he rephed ''but assure you
there is nothing in this third danger; there is
foundation for any apprehension that what
ever"
decline nomination. ~
General Grant has been very outspoken to me on
this subject Of third term, and you he does
not dream Of another term Of Office, and he
would decline it If IL offered to him"
questioned him the prospects Of the next Presi-
dental contest and asked him especially who would be
likely be the available candidates for the repub
hcan party He repeated his that matters were
stl too chaotic expression of opinion and
then asked him whether he thought, in Of
events and the revolution which had evidently taken
place in public sentiment all over the country the re-
publican party had any chance whatever OF carrying the
day. and to this query the Attorney General gave
ply which speaks Ill for the hopes OF the republican
leaders for he would not say that the republican
party had the remotest chance This is what he said in
reply
when the public mind crystalzes. The public mind is
not settled at all -
asked him what he thought would be the main issue
'In my Judgment " he answered. ''the financial ques-
ton will form the main and adhesive issue in the
next Presidential election And feel perfectly con
WINGED that the republican party will go before the
country perfectly and powerfully united in favor of
speedy return to specie payment"
The democrats all openly declare that the republican
party Is dead as door nal, | observed
''Wel, think they will find that they grevously
mistaken Judge Pierrepont returned, in decisive
tone, "if that is their real opinion.h
The conversation turned the probable attitude Of
the South The South is behaving very well indeed"
the Attorney General said, with CLEAN of satisiac-
ton twinklng in his eye, but il would be impossible
TO predict what the South will ultimately do" una
of great candor-You it really early and
everything depends on future contingencies Nobody
say anything definite until the autumn In grave
tone) | shall regard the Ohio election as very i'm
portant one, as a very important one indeed "
'Woud, in your opinion, the return OF the demo
cratic party TO power be apt to be raught with disaster
81 think replied the Attorney General slowly and
soemnly, 'that the return of%he democratic party 10
power imitation platform would be sure ~ be
fraught with great disaster. u
then alluded to the work OF reform which he was
prosecuting so theoretically in his department and
asked him If he was hampered in 1t as II was claimed by
some, by influences emanatng from the White House
''I glad you have put this question: he responded,
for il is something which, justice To President Grant
have long desired say. Ii is due TO him that |
should state, In the most emphatic manner possible
that / have never aimed al any reform in my depart
ment in which the President when had once pre-
sented the matter TO him, did not support me IN the
most cordial way"
Perrepont made somewhat indefinite reply, which
interpreted as meaning that he Pierrepont saw the
President after the latter had been visited by
Fisher at Long Branch and that the latters repre-
sensations then proved utterly unayaling, and the
President gave his approval Of Fishers removal
Judge Perrepont repeated also with striking emphasis,
that the President had backed him in every way in
every one of his efforts at reform.
ATTORNEY GENERALS INTENTIONS.
81 shall do all can he added, ito weed out all the
abuses which shall find in my department. and feel
that shall have the Presidents cordial co-opera
tion in this task. One reason why my views
meagre is, as have already said, that both sides
In utter confusion and do not themselves know
what they will do and another is that been ex-
cessvey occupied and have had really time TO give
10 the study Of the present political situation From
my peculiar position you readily understand that
have been exceptionally pressed in the business apper
tanning 10 my department."
Our polite Minister, in parting said:-HWhen the
time has arrived when the public mind shall have crys
talized, and when both parties have assumed dis
tinctive attitudes with regard 10 the important
questions stil at issue shall gladly
tell you all l know" And with this
the Attorney General, who doubt, very hungry
from his drive rushed 10 'tea which had been wait
ing for him He left this morning at eight O'Clock for
New York, and will thence to the capital in
day or two. And thus the great trio Of republican
chiefs in Saraoga-Wilson, Bristow Pierrepont-s
broken up for the present