The Evening critic., 1881-08-19
OUR POSSIBLE PRESIDENT.
what Men who Know Him Say of
vice-Presideht Arthur-His Char
ncter Discussed by Leaders Ira FL

Vice-President Arthur to the Presidency,
an estimate of the latters character and
abilities from the leaders of finance be-
comes of interest A Saratoga correspondent
has interviewed Messrs. VIM. II. Wander
bilt, Jay Gould, Chauncey NJ. Depcw, and
Judge Henry Hilton, all of whom spoke in
the highest terms of the Vicc-President.
| We give below these interviews
Mr.. William II. Vanderbilt was asked by
Herald correspondent his opinion as to
whether there would be any occasion for
financial or commercial panic in the event
of the death of the President and the Access
sion of Gen. Arthur to the Office.
PANEL" said Mr.. Vanderbilt; "why
should there be panic? The financial
policy Of the country is now q settled fact;
so entirely settled that even Democratic
administration could not change it. Gen.
Arthur is Republican, and would not
have the desire even If he had the power
to do otherwise than carry on the wise and
beneficial policy that has marked other
Republican administrations. He would
follow in their footsteps, and would
bring to bear upon the further de-
velopment of the policy clear
head and an honest purpose. Our
bonds certainly could not be injuriously
affected because the peaceful transmission of
the government from the hands of one
President to those of another, under the
provisions of the national constitution, is o
proof of the strength and stability of our in
situations and not of their weakness. Men
arc to be found ut all times ready to put
down prices on the market for speculative
purpose but there would be nothing in the
change, If it should unfortunately come, to
disturb the financial or business interests of
the country in the slightest degree. In adj
dtion to this, Gen. Arthur is q man who de-
serves and ought to receive public conf
dence. ! have known him many years, and
regard him as in every way qualified to
make o safe, sensible, honest and conscrva-
tive Executive. My father, who was an ex-
| lent Judge of men, was well acquainted
with Mr.. Arthur and had quite high opin-
ion of his business capacity and integrity.
tell you Mr.. Arthur is by no means an
ordinary man. He is not one whose equal
can be picked up every day in any locality.
He has been active in politics and is said by
Fsonie to be a warm partisan and to be inter-
ested in particular faction but am con
fdent from what know of him that if he
ever could have contemplated II factional
policy, the circumstances under which he
would como to the presidency would deter
him from pursuing such course now. He
probably was not aware before he went to
Washington Of the state of popular feeling (;
but he nov understands it, and has the
capacity to grasp the situation as quickly
and as completely rs any man | know He
has seen the grief with which the nation
received the news of the attempt on the
Presidents life. and the deep anxiety with
which the nation has watched the case. He
fully understands what this sympathy
means, and he - not the man to attempt to
disturb the existing order of things or to
throw the country into a turmoil.
"There could be no pretensc or excuse
for panic, except on the ground that
severe and revolutionary political convul-
sions would follow II change in the prosi-
dency. But where would these come from {?
Who would excite them? have full con-
fidence that Mr.. Arthur would follow as
closely as possible the policy Of the present
Administration, and would DO fair to all
factions, and eminently conservative.
can, therefore, sec no ground whatever for
alarm and while | most sincerely hope
that tho present crisis in the Presidents
case may be bridged over, and that he may
fully recover his health and fill the term
for which he was elected, ! yet have perfect
confidence that, should q fatal result ousue,
the Nice-P President will make wise, capable,
honestand conservative administration, and
would do no act that would impair the
safety, the credit or the prosperity OF the
country / have large business and iinan-
cal interests, and l have no fear thai any
Of chem would suffer through Mr.. hrthur's
conduct in the presidential Office"
Mr. Jay Gould's opinion on the subject
was sought and freely given;
" | have every hope that the President
will recover" said Mr.. Gould. MY latest
advices from Washington renew hope, and
| have, besides, considerable faith in i'm.
pressions. My conviction all along has been
that Mr. Garlield's stout heart, strong will
through, and / think so still. | have seen
mon of far less strength and grit get safely
through quite as threatening dangers; but
in the event of Mr. Garield's death, which
would be a terrible calamity to the nation,
| cannot see the slightest reasonable ground
on which to build up financial or business
scare
"Mr. Arthur is man of good capacity
and strict integrity. He has filled places OF
trust and filed them well and acceptably
with'proiit to the people and credit to him
self. His ASSOCIATIONS have been good. die
stands eXcellcntly with the merchants OF
New York. He is entirely familiar with
the wants and interests of the great com.
! mercial metropolis. He lisa shrewd and
' experienced politician lie is n man of good
habits. Of refined tastes and Of the most UNI
questionable personal integrity. l have
known him personally for ten years, and
have n high appreciation of his business
capacity. There is no man Of my acquaint.
ance whom | would more willingly trust
How could such man make Il bad Prcsi.
D., don't? / could pick out fifty gentlemen
among my. personal friends any one oil
whom would make good President but
regard Mr.. Arthur rs amnn peculiarly well
qualified for that high position, and be-
lieye that his administration, should he be
called to the Office, would be one of which