Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-02-26

President Grants Last Sunday Enfer"
view.
President Grant remarked ID the agent OF
the Associated Press yesterday in the course OF
conversation, that but little remained fer him |
to do previous to the expiration Of his term on
Saturday next, when be and his family would
leave the Executive Mansion aud temporarily |
sojourn with Secretary fish, as in April they
would make visit to their home 10 the West,
and that the time for their departure for the
West Indies and Europe, which thcg contem'
plate, is unccrtain The President when the
agent entered his Office, vas engaged 10 assert
ing aud binding such papers as he intended to
retain, while fragments Of others were scattered
profusey on the floor. Two ancient looking
Indian medals, one Of copper aud one of silver,
seemed to be valued by him very highly. The
silver one bore the bust of Washington in slight
relief, and on the opposite side was a represcn-
tation of claspcd hands Tie medal had de-
scendcd from the days Of Washington to the
chief who two years ago presented it to the
President as mark OF profound respect, and
in gratitude for his peace policy. The Presl-
dent in return presented the chief with silver
medal bearing his own likeness President
Grant said that lie had been some days in ex
amiuiDg his private papers, but was happy to
say that he had just completed this work, and
now anxously awaited the close ofhis admins
traticn. lie desired to have at least one years
rest or recreation.
Ii response TO question az 10 what he would
| 10 should 20 declaration be made OF PraSl-
dent, he replied that rested entirely with Con-
sress, but lie thought that such a declaration
would be reached, as those who yesterday had
sought unnecessarily to postpone the count met
with very decisive rebukc 10 the House. it
would be quite proper, however, for Congress
10 pass law amcndatory Of the act OF 1872,
designating what person 1.-THE presiding officer
Of the Senate, for instance shall act as Presl-
dent until new election be ordered, in case
there should, owing to tactious opposition, be
no declaration of President and Vice President
based on the Electoral count.
The agent said 1t has been asserted, Alr.
President, that an arrangement was IN progress
by which, ia the possible contingency above
named yuu would resign your office, thus prr
milling the presiding officer to I'LL the vacancg
| thus occasloucI. y
The President replied, with a smile. 80 |
bear, but the only knowledge have of dnah AL
arrangement is from the newspapers.
TIE Agent-" Something has been said ahou;
your ordering more troops to Washington
The PTcsident-"Suoh is not my present ID
tentou, but if they were ordered | should order
1T 81, l. fIrt l,,r
will be pcsccfu!, as there are 20 Indications OF dis
lurbances 10 conuecioa with the Electoral
count CT The declaration that may be made.
The Agcut--It has been published that you
have distinctly said you would not formally re-
cogpze Que OF tic two governments 10 either
Louisiana or South Carolina. - this true?
The Proside1t-lt is As think it would
be improper for me TO fS Southern policy for
LILY successor, and thus embarrass him. II |
we're 10 recognize the republican Governors,
they would have TO he sustained tY military
force, aud think the entire people are tired
of the military being employed to sustain Il
Stale government If republican State gov
ernment cannot sustain itself, then it will haV;
to give way If remedy is required, let Con
gress and not the President provide il.
The Agent Much untrienlIy comment has
been made on the executive orders prohibiting
a military demonstration in Charleston, ). G.,
90 Washington's birthday. | you have no
objection it would Ec interesting to learn The
reason for your action in the premises.
The Presidcnt-Nly proclamation heretofore
issued, commanding all illegal or unauthorized
armed associations 10 disbaud, is still in force
! Tie men who were going to parade were moth
ing but armed political bands. They have
never respected proclalnations, and ou!y seem,
ingly dsbaudcd. must say that while be-
lievc the democratic leaders would have done
all that was possible to prevent an outbreak,
yet, on IN occasion Of that kind, men sometimes
iudulee too mach in strong drink, and while
under its Influence might so express themselves
against their political opponent as possibly to
provoke retaliation, and thus incte ar:1t, with
serious, if not fatal consequences. and which
disturbance might extend to other localities.
Therefore, entirely apart from the proprlnty Of
observing the day, it was thought better that