The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-02-26
LAST WORDS.
The President Preparing to Leave
the White House.
A Lengthy Talk with the Associat-
ed Press Agent.
Opinions on a Variety of Topics.

WASHINGTON keD. ZO.-I ttSluelG Grant re-
marked to the agent of the Associated Press to-
day in course of conversation that but little
remained for him to do previous to the expira-
ton of his term op Saturday next, when he and
his family should leave the Executive Manson
and temporarily soJourn Win secretary Fish.
In April thew would make visit to their home
in the West The time for their departure for
the West Indies and Europe, which they COZ
template, was uncertain.
The President when the agent entered his
Office, was engaged in asserting and binding
such papers as he intended to retain, while frag-
ments of others were scattered 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 bore
the bust of Washington in slight relief, and on
the opposite side was a representation of clasp
ed hands. This medal had descended 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 President in return, pre-
sented the chief with silver medal bearing
his own likness.
The President remarked he had been for some
days examining his private papers, but was
happy to say he had just COMPLETED this work
and was now anxiously awaiting the close of
his administration, He desired to have at least
one years rest or recreation. In response to a
question as to what he would do should no de-
claration of President be made, he replied
that it rested entirely with Congress, but he
as those who yesterday sought unnecessarily to
postpone the count met with very decisive re-
Duke in the House. 1t would be quite proper,
however, for Congress to pass a Law amendato-
~ of the act of 1892, designating what person
(the presiding officer of the Senate for ipstance)
shall act as President until new election be OF
dered in case there should, owing to factous
opposition, be no declaration of President and
Vice President, based on the electoral court.
The agent said, SIT has been asserted, Mr..
by which, in the possible contingency above
named, you would resign your Office, thus per-
uniting the presiding officer of the Senate to
fill the vacancy thus occasioned.
The President replied, with a smile: $50 I
hear; but the only knowledge have of such
an arrangement is from the newspapers
The Agent-Something has been said about
your ordering more troops to Washington.
The PresIdent-Such is not my present in-
tention, but If they were needed should order
them here l think, however everything will
be peaceful, as there are no indications of dis
turbance in connection with the electoral count
or declaration that may be made.
Agent-It has been published that you have
distinctly said you would not formally recognize
one of the two governments in Louisiana and
South Carolina. Is this true?
The Presidential is, as l think 1t would be
improper for me to fix Southern policy for
my successor, and thus embarrass him. If L
were to recognize the Republican Governors
force, and think the entire people are tired Of
the military being employed to sustain state
government If Republican state govern
ment cannot sustain itself then it will have to
give way If a remedy is required, let Con-
gress and not the President provide it.
The Agent-Much unfriendly comment has
been made on the executive order prohibiting
military demonstration in Charleston, S. c., on
Washington's birthday. If you have no objec-
ton, it would be interesting to learn the reason
for your action in the premises.
President-My proclamation heretofore issued
commanding all illegal OR unauthorized 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 the proclamation and only seemingly
disbanded. ! must say that while believe the
Democratic leaders would have done all that
was possible to prevent an outbreak, yet on an
occasion of that kind men sometimes indulge
too much in strong drink, and while under its
influence might SO express themselves against
their opponents as possibly to provoke retalia-
| ton, and thus incite riot with serious if not
fatal consequences, and which disturbance
might extend to other localities. Therefore,
the day, it was thought better that the military
demonstration should be prevented for reasons
stated rather than to run the risk of riot.
Agent have seen it stated that Gov. Hayes
will arrive here on Thursday for consultation
| with his friends. presume, therefore, that
you have some information on the subject
President-I have no idea that he will start
for Washington until the result of the Electo-
raj Commission is decided.
-Agent-Mr. President, are you we'll acquaint-
| ed with Gov. Hayes?
President-I cannot say very Intimately. but
L had frequent occasions to see him when he
was member of Congress, and he called just
| as others did.
Agent-You have had number of grave
public questions before you during your term of
| Office, some of which were of diplomatic char
| acter, have been peacefully settled. / hope
| nothing has occurred to occasion your regret
concerning them.
President-I am satisfied that they will bear
examination, and there is little if anything Of
which complain, considering that before was
elected to the Presidency never had political
| training or desire to occupy political posi-
ton.
The conversation then turned on the meas
ures of the administration, both foreign and
domestic, and it seemed to be pleasing rehec-
| ton to the President that now, on the eve of
| his retirement from office, the United States
| were at peace with all the world, the Treaty of
Washington by which the so called Alabama
claims were satisfied, and the settlement of all
disputes with Spain eliminating in an extradi-
| ton treaty, being the two most prominent fea-
lures of diplomacy The President, however
| thought the financial policy of the administra-
| ton was equally successful He expressed
| some regret that there would not be time in
| Congress to act on his recent recommendation
which would facilitate the resumption of spe-
| Gle payment and bring gold and currency on
! par, and the balance of trade being so much in
| our favor gold would accumulate in the hands
of the people as money, instead of being a
| marketable commodity.
There having been rumors that the President
intended to send a valedictory message to Con-
| gress, it can be stated on authority of the
President himself that he has no such inten-
| ton.