Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-03-05
A Talk with Andy Johnson.


His face wears II happier and more placid
expression than it did then. The thckly
gathered lines about the eyes that used to
give his face the appearance Of being cover
ed with corrugated sheet iron have all been
smoothcd out by the touch of success, and
the harsh compress of the lips that constant
struggle had made habitua has soltened
down into nm expression that hardly be-
speaks the irmness of tho old man even
when best naturcd and most yielding. His
form is rs erect AS ever, his step quick and
firm rs boys, his shoulders still suggest
that they might have been laid out with
carpenters square and except the silvcry
hair that curs gracefully about his round,
combative head, there is nothing in his per-
son to tell the story of his trials and tribula-
tons, nor anything TO suggest that his event
ful life has passed its prime. | found him
engaged in writing reply to some letter of
congratulalion, half bushe or so of sim liar
missives lying in u chair beside him.
Andy ON Third-Tern.
lilo said, in reply to n question rs to what
he thought about the third term, that he had
no doubt whatever rs to Grants purposes.
Grant would take all the nominations he
could get. He did not know anything about
the details, personal and otherwise, of the
situation ut Washington, because he Ind
been there but very little and had had his
mind occupied with other affairs while there.
But MS far rs he was able to judge from his
knowledge OF Grant rs man and rs poll
tician, he thought there was no end to the
number of terms he would take If he could
get thcn--in fact, there was no end to any
thing Grant would take if he could get 1t.
but do you suppose his party will nomi-
nate himP" | asked.
Upon this point Mr.. johnson said he could
not judge with anything like the accuracy
with which he could judge MS to Grants
own purposes and wishes. But he inferred
from all he could gather of the spirit of the
, republicans in Congress. that they would do
? pretty much anything which they thought
, would keep them in power. He presumed,
however, that they would try to do too much
and fail mserably, all round.
z On the Forcr-BnI.
r What did he think of the forco-bill agreed
e upon in caucus?
Well, he thought il very natural meas
ure, considering its sources. fit passed, it
> might create somo disturbance, but would
not he likely to affect the result Of the cleo
. tons. Tho most it would do would be to
exasperatc the people, and from all he could
learn the people were already exaspernted
enough for all practical purposes He re-
gm ded the senatorial elections in Michigan,
Wisconsin and Nebraska rs manifestations
of popular disgust ut the Grant administra-
q ton. The people, unable to get ut Grant
9 himself were Strengthening all his henchmen
. they could get their hands on.
~ Hamlln was spared monument. he said
i the only landmark left of Grantism so far rs
the people had an opportunity to topple them
over. lie was very DESTROYS to get acquaint
ed with the new men from Michigan and
D Nebraska. lie thought they would prove to
, be good men and staunch supporters of the
cause of the people. He hoped good things
8 of Cameron of Wisconsin, but intimated
: with grim smile that the name might be
q omnous.
On Mr.. schurL.
What did he think of the policy of shelly
. ing Mr.. Schurz ut this particular juncture?
, lie didn't think much of such policy at this
> or any other juncture. However, that was
! II matter for us up in Missouri to settle. lie
thought everybody else could stand it il
Missouri could
On Himself.
"Well, Mr.. johnson, after all, the most
u important senatorial election of this year, IN
," n national point of view, was held in Ten.
u nessee."
lin laA ha
quickly. 81 was myself surprised at the in
= , terest the people of the whole country took
in this contest From Maine TO Calilornis
= and from st. Paul to New Orleans there
y were anxious eyes bent upon Nashville.
!" tell you, SIR, | put my trust in the people
They will do to trust when all the politicians
. and wire-pullers prove untrustworthy. You
n' Mr.. Schurz would have Jared better if HI
' had kept himself closer to the people, pu
:" my trust in the people of Tennessee and KEEP
" close to them. Tho Legislature that elected
= me is composed of vast majority of ex
> confederates, and the majority of those wh'
:, voted for me were confederate soldiers, too.
= His Intentions.
. "Well." | said, "the people who took S,
much interest in your success, Mr.. johnson
a also expect much of you now that you hav,
succeeded"
IA Again that grim smile played ftlully owe
y. tho rugged face of the east Tennessee noun
q taineer, and he responded that they woul,
10 not be disappointed. "And by the way,
d said the ex-president, did you SEQ the Ma
a toms version of my speech to be delivered
"a on the floor of the Senatep"
u. ! had seen it.
At "Well," pursued Andy, grimly aS before
n that is n somewhat remarkable speech
, isn't it?"
NJ The point was conceded, and asked If
IN was II case of what the spookists would cal
1 "mind-reading" by the editor of the Nation
"a Mr.. johnson thought it very likely tina
a the editor of the Nation had an idea of how
"a the thing would be. But he did not prin
r the whole speech by any means. lie onl
+ gave brief extract!
of lie will he u Watchdog.
L He intended that the people should know
ct more definitely where their money went il
70 the future than they had known in the past
~ lie proposed that there should be less lati
to tude for euess-work rs to the disposition
r made of public funds hereafter, and intmat
@ ed that he would be whore he could kee
n watch of these things in 1876 more effective
Of ly than no was able to do in lS72.-&. LOHt
Republican,
= Maple Sugar Making.