The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-02-09
PRESIDENTIAL POINTS.
Interview With Governor Foster, Of
Ohio.
Why He Prefers Secretary Sherman
Thinks the Nominee Of the Chicago
Convention
viii be the Next President of the
United States.

COLUMBUS, o., February 1.-THE cores
pondent OF the Commercial has succeeded
in obtaining from Governor Foster very
full expression Of his views on the now
all absorbing topic, "The Presidency
The Governor has eyaded as far as posi-
BILE giving an open expression on the sub
ieCt until the present time. 1t will be OBJ
served that in Governor Foster, Secretary
Sherman has strong supporter, and SEN
ator Blaine firm friend and admirer. The
interview will be read with interest by all,
giving, as 1t does, clear statement OF his
views and the reasons for them.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES are you will
ing TO permit me to print your preferences
for the Republican nomination 10 the
Presidency
Governor Foster-I suppose that my
preference for Secretary Sherman was
known Of all men.
Correspondent-Why is 1t, Governor,
that you support Secretary Sherman; sit
because he Is an Ohio man?
Governor Foster-I support him, not
because he Is an Ohio man hut because, all
things considered, believe he will prove
to be the most available candidate that
the Republican party can name.
Correspondent-Why is he more avail
able than General Grant or Senator
Blaine?
Governor-Because the first question
that is likely to be more prominently dis
cussed will be, which OF the candidates
will all things considered, make the best
President.
For twenty-five years John Sherman
has been in public life. From the date Of
his entrance into Congress he has been
conspicuous leader. He was the candi-
date OF his party for Speaker at the begin
ming OF his third term, and came very
near being elected, and was the Chair
man OF the Committee Of Ways and
Means, and the leader in the House.
When transferred to the Senate he at
once took high rank as Senator, and was
for many years Chairman OF the Finance
Committee OF the Senate. He is not bril-
liant in the sense that Blaine or Conkling
are, but he is Gpainstakingl .watchful,
vigilant, industrious, level.headed and
safe.
He has probably exercised more inau-
ence on the legislation OF the country,
and Is the author OF more important legis-
lation than any other one man during his
service in Congress. AS Secretary OF the
Treasury he has never had an equal. In
saying this do not mean to disparage his
predecessors. None Of them had the adj
vantage OF his long legislative experience,
which was Of kind that specially fitted
him for the duties OF the position OF Sec.
retary OF the Treasury. do not speak OF
him as the manager OF the great financial
operations Of the government merely, but
as an administrative officer as well. He
Is as great in the latter as in the former
capacity.
1t is fashionable in some quarters to
credit his great success in bringing about
resumption, and the grand achievement
OF refunding the public debt, to the very
favorable conditions then existing, over
which he had no control. But after
making due allowance for all the aid that
favorable financial canditions gave him,
the fact remains that his unwavering
courage, his wise foresight, his ability to
make the most OF these favorable condi-
tions, and wonderful grasp OF the situation,
had much to do with his amazing success.
Every intelligent man must concede inan-
cial ability OF the highest order to the man
who conceived and successfully consum::
mated the great work OF resumption and
refunding OF the public debt.
The Governor warming up in his en-
thusiasm for the great Secretary said: a
grateful people honored its greatest Gen.
eral for his success in putting down re-
bellion, though his enemies insisted that
favorable conditions enabled him to sue
ceed; yet the common verdict OF his
countrymen gave him high credit, and
they will forever appreciate his great SER
vice. So now, I think, the people are
ready to honor the man who brought
them out OF their financial difficulties, and
started them on the highway ofprosperity
and they will take but little heed Of the
grumblers at his heels, who are ascribing
his success TO the beneiactions OF kind
Providence.
Correspondent-What have you to say
OF Grant and Blaine and their candidacy?
The people are desirous OF learning all
they can upon the subject.
Governor Foster--I have no unkind
words to sayof General Grant or Senator
Blaine. or General Grants candidacy l
fear that the very strong attachment OF
the people to the unwritten law that for.
bids third term Of the Presidency would
greatly iniure him. Nothing can overcome
this bat deep feeling that the exigency
demands him at the helm.
Correspondent-And you think that ex:
igency does not exist at the present timer
Governor Foster-No, sir; can not see
that It does.
OF Senator Blaine, the man from way
down East-Jim Blaine, Of Maine?
Governor Foster-I have the highest re-.
gard for Senator Blaine. have greater
personal affection for him than any other
public man ever knew. | admire his
dash, courage and energy. and l have no
doubt whatever OF his ability to make a
most acceptable President. ltwould al
ford me great personal pleasure to support
him, But Just now think the public
mind prefers the solid qualities attributed
TO Secretary Sherman, and therefore l
think him the most available candidate
that can be named.
Correspondent-What OF Sherman's re.
cent utterances2 Do you not think that
bis recommendations favoring the retire
ment OF the greenbacks will iniure his
prospects, especially here in the West?
Governor Foster-There you make a
very common mistake. Sherman does moi
favor the retirement OF greenbacks below
SSOO,OOO,OOO. He favors the withdrawal ol
their legal tender quality for the reason
that, in his opinion, and the opinion o
well informed people generally, the su
preme Court will, as soon as they reach
. the case, declare their legal.tender feature
unconstitutional; that this decision NIGH
! be made at time when 1t would occasion
shock to the business Of the country
and that II done BY Congress this shocI
would be avoided. The greenback, witt
the legal.tender feature eliminated, beini
redeemable in gold, would be just as yaIu
. able as before. It can be made receivable
far ali public dues, aud can be held b.
thn harks "a a mart or all Of their reserve