New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-09-07

by many honest men-he returned his capi-
tai as his income, while Tilden there the
President smiled and looked jocosei re-
garded his income as his capital, and there
fore would not return it.
Correspondent-How about the black
mailing of contractors by the CSttells, Mr..
President!
The President-The Cattells have IN
doubtedly disgraced themselves. But l
looked through all the testimony to find
any proof that RObes0n knew Of their opera
tions. found none. They never had any
conversation or communication with Robe
son 50 that could hold him responsible for
what was done by the Cattells.
Correspondent-Wast there not favoritlsm
and violence of law in the contracts given
out by the Secretary!
The President-On the contrary, found
upon an examination of the tes ,imony that
every head of bureau testified that the
Secretary never interfered in any manner
in the awarding of contracts.
COrrespOndent-HOw about RobesOn's 8 de-
posits of nearly $5OO,O9O while in office!
The Presidential he deposited any such
amounts then I'd like to know where. I'd
like to know in what banks.
Correspondent-The figures in the report
of the Naval Committee claim to show that
aggregate of deposits.
The President don't remember seeing
that in the proof. However, it would be
no evidence that the money deposited be-
l0nged to him; every business man knows
that.
Correspondent-From what you have
said about Secretary RobesOn. Nr. Presi-
dent, gather that the story started in
Washington to the effect that before leav
ing for Rye Beach he handed you his resig
nation is untrues
The President (curtly y)-Entirely SO; there
ia not word Of truth in it.
Correspondent-It has been stated that
Mr.. Bristow and Mr.. Wilson have furnished
some OF these assaults upon YOU
The President-Now, have not the
slightest doubt that Wilson did, and that
Bristow was cognizant of his doings.
asked BristOw about this six months ago,
and he 6eLied it; but know, nevertheless,
that it is true.
Correspondence it really true that the
prosecution of the whisky ring had for its
aim to make Mr.. BristOw President.
The President (evldently not desiring to
directly answer this question)-WelI, they
certainly have been villainously prose-
cuted.
Correspondent-Asy you look back upon
your administration, Mr.. President, are
there many things which you would like to
have done differently from what you dids
The President (ruminating)- ith all the
experience have had in these eight years
don't know that would do many things
differently if had to begin my term Of
office now. l might do some things differ.
emily in the way Of appointments and that
| sort of thing, but as to the large measures
of any Importance l don't know that
would change anv of them. One thing is
certain, that no President can do anything
important without finding IN any people who
will differ with him as to the propriety OF
| wisdom Of the act.
Correspondent-You do not feel that the
criticisms made upon you have injured you
| Mr. President!
The President uaughing)-No; regard
| them as compliments to me. If | had nc,
done anything worth praising | would no,
| have done anything worth criticising.
| Correspondent-Have you read the critic
isms upon Secretary Cameron's recent or
der as an attempt to dragon the Southern
| people!
The President (still laughing ngl-Oh,
don't read criticisms. l don't pay any at
tentiOn to them.
| The President evidently did not deem i,
nece ssary to defend that order. and as the
Preei lent had to see ex-Congressman Tay
lor, of Pennsylvania, on rather important
business, the interview here closed. The
correspondent thanked the President fol
the frank and full expression of his view
| and bade him goodby.