The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-27

alent to deciding that his first election was
invalid, and consequently that the vacancy.
might have been filed by anybody else.
->aEs----
Presidential Sunday Talk.
PREPARING TO LEAVE THE WHITE HoUsE-AN-
GENT INDIAN MEDALs-THE PRESIDENT ON
THE IMPENDING IssUEs-THE "P0sS1BLE
CONTINGENCY "--sIGNIFICANT EXPRESSIONS
oNTHE DISPUTED STATE GOVERNMENTS, ETC.
| WASHINGTON, February 25.-President
Grant remarked to the agent OF the New
| York Associated Press to-day in the course
of conversation that but little remained for
him to do previous to the expiration Of his
term on Saturday next, when ne and his
! family would leave the Executive mansion
and temporarily sojourn with Secretary
Fish, rs in April they would make visit
to their home in the West and that the
time for their departure for the West In
dies and Europe, which they contemplate,
was uncertain.
The President, when the agent entered
his office, was engaged in asserting and
| binding such papers as he intended to re-
| tain. while fragments of others were scat
tered profusely on the floor. Two ancient
looking Indian medals, one Of copper and
the other OF silver, seemed to be valued by
him very highly. The silver one boro the
bust Of Washington in slight relief, and on
the opposite side was representation OF
clasped hands. The medal had descended
from the days OF Washington to the CHIEF
who two years ago presented it to the Pre-
sident as a mark OF profound respect and in
gratitude for his peace policy The Presi-
! dent in return presented the CHIEF with
silver medal bearing his own likeness.
The President said that he had been some
DAYS in examining his private papers, but
was happy to say that he had Just completed
this work, and now anXiousy awaited the
close OF his administration. He desired to
have at least one years rest or recreation.
q. . In rcsponse to u question as to what he
would do should no declaration be made OF
n President, he replied that rested en-
tircly with Congress, but he thought that
such q declaration would be reached, rs
those who yesterday sought unnecessarily
to postpone the count met with very dec-
siye rebuke in the House. It would bequite
proper, however, for Congress to pass law
4 amendatory of the act Of 1892, designating
what person (the presiding officer Of the
| Senate for instance) shall act as President
until new election be ordered.
In case there should, owing to factious.
opposition, be no declaration OF President.
and Yice-President based on the electoral
count, the agent said "It has been assert
ed, Mr.. President, that an arrangement was
in progress by which. in the possible con-
| tingency above named, you would resign
your office, thus permitting the presiding
officer OF the Senate to till the vacancy thus
occasoned?"
The President replied with smile So,
I hear, but the only knowledge | have OF
\ such an arrangement is from newspapers"
Tie Agent: "Something has been said
about your ordering more troops to wash
ingt0n."
The President: "Such is not my present
intention; but il they were needed, l
should order them here. I think, however,
that everything will be peaceful. as there
are no indications OF disturbances in con-
nection with the electoral count or declara-
ton that may be made"
The Agent: at has been published that
. You have distinctly said you would not for
mally recognize one OF the two govern
mcnts in either Louisiana or South Carolina.
Is this truc?"
The President: at is. as think it would
| be improper for me to fix Il southern policy
for nv successor and thus embarrass him.
n were to recognize the Republican Gov
errors they would have to be sustained by
/ military force, and think the entire people
are tired OF the military being employed to
sustain State government. II Repub-
lican State government cannot sustain itself,
then it will have to give way. II remedy
i, required let Congress and not the Presi-
dent provide it."
The Agent: "1Iuch unfriendly comment
has been made on the executive order pro-
hibiting military demonstration in Charles
ton. s. c., on Washington's birthday. II
YOU have no objection it would be interest
inc to learn the reason for your action in the
premises"
The President: "My proclamation, here
tofore issued, commanding all illegal or I'M
authorized armed associations to diSband,
is still in force. The men who were going
to parade were nothing but armed political
bands. They have never respected procla-
nations, and only seemingly disbanded. l
must say that while believe the Demo-
cratic leaders would have done all that was
possible to prevent an outbreak, yet on an
occasion of that kind men sometimes in
dulge too much in strong drink, and while
under its influence might so express them.
selves against their political opponents as
possibly to provoke retaliation, and thus in
cite riot, with serious If not fatal conse-
ullences, and which disturbance might eX-
tend to other localities. Therefore, entirely
apart from the propriety Of observing the
day, it was thought better that military de-
monstrations should be prevented for the
reason stated rather than run the risk Of a
riot"
Tire Agent: "I have seen it stated that
Governor Hayes will arrive here on Thurs;
day for consultation with his friends. [
thought, perhaps, that you have some in
formation on the subject" $50 .. ~
The President al have no idea that he
j will start for Washington until the result OF
the electoral count is declared" ,a.-..
! The Agent: " Mr.. President, are you well
acquainted with Governor HayesW
The President: ~ cannot say very init
mately; but had frequent occasions to see
him when he was a member of Congress,
and he called Just as others did," ~
I The Agent ..You have had a number OF
grave public questions before you during
your terms OF Office, some OF which, OF a
diplomatic character, have been peacefully
j settled. hope nothing has occurred to oc-
i casion you regret concerning them?"
The President: C. am satisfied that they
4 will bear examination, and there Is but little
if anything OF which complain, consider
ing that before I was elected to the presi-
dency I never had political training or
desire to occupy any political position"
The conversation then turned on measures
OF the Administration, both foreign and do
nestle, and it seemed to be pleasing re-
Election to the President that now, on the
eve OF his retirement from office, the United
States are at peace with all the world. The
treaty OF Washington, by which the so-called
Alabama claims were satisfied, and the SET
HI. I. -. inn