The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-06-21
J. THOMAS SMITH INTERVIEWED.

As n matter of interest to the public,
reporter of The COMET called on the Hon
, j. Thomas Smith yesterday morning, who
, was found, only after prolonged search
preparing for fishing excursion. Th'
following interview then took place
Reporter-"Mr. Smith, do you object tc
being interviewed ?"
Hon. Mr.. Smith-''No, sir; that is to say
in moderation"
Reporter-"My dear sir, you may not be
aware of the fact, but the public is waiting
with great interest something more from
you in the way of "views." With youl
permission, I will ask you few questions. y
At this point of the interview, the Hon.
Smith moved into an easy chair, lit a five
cent cigar, and invited the reporter politely
to proceed.
Reporter" What do you think of the
Ohio campaign, Mr.. Smith,"
Hon. Smith. h.-"Well, that depends on
circumstances. Pretty close race. But as
party man, I hope Ewing has the bulge.
You see we all thought the "noble party"
the Greenbackers, would go to Ewing to
man, which would have about finished up
Foster and his crowd, but they have not
done it yet. You will observe the entire
want of logic in these Ohio Greenbackers,
when you reflect on the enlarged character
of Ewing's views on the question of the
paper dollar, They must be a hard set to
satisfy. I am, however, inclined to the
opinion that they will filter over to him
during the canvass, so to speak. Ewing's
views on this question, I take it, are not
only soft but broad. This platform, SO to
speak, is roomy enough for all the Green
hackers to stand on, or to sit down on
either, for that matter"
Reporter" Assuming, however, that
Ewing does not get the Greenback vote,
what then p
Hon. Smith "Oh, we'll, 1 think he will
pull through all right anyhow, on his war
record. Fine fighter, Ewing. Rice, too,
you know You see there is a Rice (rise)
in the Democratic ticket. You might say
the Democratic ticket will take the flood or
the tail, or whatever it is, that leads to for
tune"
Reporter" Did you ever, Mr.. Smith,
perpetrate pun before?'
Hon. Smith--Never, Sir"
Reporter -"What! Never?'
Hon. Smith" Well-hardly ev-; beg
pardon, don't put that down, you know we
are making history at present"
The reporter, to relieve Mr.. Smiths EN-
bafrassment, adroitly changed the subject,
by asking what course the jackson Inde-
pendent would take on the hog ordinance.
Hon. Smith" To be quite candid, Mr..
Reporter, am not prepared to say"
Reporter do you understand by
the Greenback party?' asked the reporter,
getting back to the original question.
Hon. Smith-"Gen. West has written
long explanation. Didn't you get the idea
of the thing2'
Reporter-''Not exactly. That is to say,
there are some little obscurities about it.
Our readers would like to have your expo.
stion of the subject"
Hon. Smith-"Well, they want plenty of
money. That is a good idea and perfectly
natural But they don't explain how we
are to get any of it. It's pity they don't
explain this part of the programme. More
money, and cotton will go up; this is good.
But somehow everything else will go up, |
and that is not SO satisfactory. They want
$55 for every man, woman and child. Give
every fellow enough to make up his $55.
This is excellent. But then to equalize the
thing, every fellow with over $50 must give
up his surplus greenbacks. This is hard !
on the other set of fellows. So you see,
Mr.. Reporter, the thing is rather mixed
Reporter" What do you think of Co.. !
Browns idea of loan by the Government |
to the people?"
Hon. Smith--''A very beautiful idea
provided, you understand, no security is
required. You see Mr.. Reporter, when
you come to talk about people in this part
of the country giving security, you touch
upon an exceedingly delicate, not to say,
painful question. If the Governor can
get over this part of the subject 1 am with
him both politically and financially. The
suggestion however, will say, does honor I
to his patriotic heart On further rehec-
ton, l think as simple n plan as any other
would be to furnish the citizens at once |
and directly with the necessary securities,
and then you will observe, they could
borrow the money without bothering the
Government"
Reporter-"W do you think of Gen.
wests' candidacy for the United States
Senate?'
Hon. Smith-''0n this point 1 am
National; would have no North, no South,
no East, and no West.
Reporter-Are you going fishing Mr..
Smith2
Hon. Smith, think of doing So"
Reporter-"Do you prefer crickets or
reaches for bream?'
Hon. Smith-''Neither My preference
is decidedly for soldier bugs'-this is fes-
tive and alluring bait. Tomorrow l will
cast the martial bug in the limpid waters
of McGehee Lake. You remember, of
course. what Sir Isaac said about fishing.
MOP Then in our next interview, will
tell you. In the meantime, Mr.. Reporter,
pardon me, have an engagement. will
say, good morning
And the statesman moved gently up the
street in the direction of Chris for his
morning glass of soda water, with an
amendment- "a strictly temperance beverage.