Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-06-17
GEN. GRANT.

An Interview With Him-He Endorses
Conkltng and "Boss" Shepherd, and
Pitches Into Hayes, the "Trtbtsnes," GAR
field, Blaine, and Cart SchWrs.
[St. Louis Globe Democrat, June 81
A Globe Democrat reporter had an interview
with Gen. Grant yesterday. The situation at
Albany, being at this time the ranking sensa.
ton, was at once entered upon. On this sub
ject the "sllent man" was not silent. He
said
"Senator Conkling, whom l consider one
of the ablest men in American life, was con-
trolled by that dignity which makes him
honored when he rendered his resignation.
His act was not characterized by pettishness,
as his enemies choose to say, but was that OF
dignity and manliness. This crusade upon
Senator Conkling was commenced under the
administration of the late President Hayes,
when Merritt was forced into the position of
collector of New York, vice Arthur, removed
by Sherman and Hayes. Mr.. Hayes secre-
tary of state forced this fight, and that
was in 1877. Merritt was confirmed, and
the country said it was Conkling
defeat. yet the legislature elected that
fall sent him back to the seat he had hon.
ored by unanimous vote, on the first bal
lot. Again, Senator Kernan's term expired last
y
went into the field, again made personal is
sue, and elected a legislature which this
spring sent his man into the United States
Senate. see that Mr.. Hayes, in a published
| interview, says that the decline of Senator
| Conkling has been steady and rapid. Two
such victories as he has achieved against the
administration influence would seem to indl
| cate that his fall has not been very rapid"
"What do you think of the present situation
| at Albany, and how do you reconcile the dead
lock with Conkling's power in the State?"
II would say that 1t is administration infu
ence, and the action of that part of the press
hostile to Senator Conkling, notably the two
Tribunes-I mean the New York and Chicago
| The administration may not directly do the
| work, but it is responsible for the specious
arguments, statements ingenlously calculated
| TO miSlead, and false issues tnat are sent Oul
from Washington"
"What do you anticipate will be the re.
sult?''
81 cannot say, as my information is CLEANED
entirely from such newspapers as l have re-
ceived. l hope there will be no election; thai
the matter of Conkling's vindcation will be
thrown before the people of New York this
fall. There can, then, be only one result
the triumph of Senators Conklng and Platt. .
"What do you think OF Garhelds attitude
| in this matter?"
81 think that the President has been infu
enced by his secretary OF state to disregard
voluntary promise and offer to consult In
the matter of New York appointments to the
man who contributed to his election. HI
made that promise, I think, in good faith,
| and in the flush of gratitude; and it should
| have been kept or never made. The anlmosl
| ty of Blaine to Conkling is so we'll understood
that 1t is feeble to deny that 1t has manifested
| itself in this case.
The general spoke at further length upor
| this subject, until the conversation
was switched 10 the late administration, ant
| the reporter asked:
"What do you think of Carl Schurz?"
"Well, Carl Schurz will draw an officia
salary without earning it with more zeal ant
efficiency than any man know Of. see thai
| he has taken charge of the New York Euemtms
| Post, but he will hardly succeed there. HI
broke down one Post in Detroit, and l dom
know what he will do with the Post in New
York He is failure anywhere you put him
| He might make success as professional
carpet bag ger, moving about from one State
| to another and running for Senator. He viii
never stay in one place any longer than i
| takes for the people to find him out. Then he'll
have to move"
The reporter introduced the subject of Boss
Shepherd by reference to the condition OF the
streets of St. Louis. and wish that some maj
| like him were here to improve them. Gen
Grant said that the people who abused Bos!
| Shepherd knew nothing of the man, and die
not comprehend the nature and extent of thu
work he had done. He spoke of the con
dition of the streets and public works
of Washington before Shepherds regime
as coatrasted with their present condi
tion 1t was true, he sail, that there
was great deal of money expended, but the
improvements were there to show for 1t. Boss
Shopherd loft WASHINGTON yerV moor man
and now he Grant was glad to know he wa:
doing well in mining property, and he hoped
he would return to Washington a rich man, t.
spite the Bourbons who had opposed his ever.
effort to make the capital city worthy of TIT
nation.