Morning journal and courier., 1881-06-17

tionable to the New York Senators, but they
 would have been satisfied If he had remained
 until his time expires in two years. This was
 denied them believe that the whole thihg
 was fixed long ago. When Mir. Hayes just
 before his time expired made long list of
 appointments, one or two of which were not
 vacant until after he went out of office, he
 did it to hurt Conkling's friends. He knew
 these appointments were obnoxious to the
 Legislature of New York, and he knew that If
 confirmed they would injure Conkling. Mir.
 Conkling succeeded in preventing their con frmation, and so it stood when Mir. Garfield came into office. Then he sent for the New
 York Senators and the Vice President to con suit with them about the offices to b6 filled
 He knew well before he said g word to them whom he would want, and after talking about a desire for harmony and all that he produced list of names which he said he intended to send to the Senate. They were all men whom the Senators could not accept, and Mir. Garfield knew it, and for that reason had determined to appoint them. Not word the conference broke up there was not shadow of trouble. Then without waiting Garfield nominated Robertson fof collector. He knew he could not name man in the United States more objectionable to the New York Senator's but he sent his name into the Senate. What reason for trying to please them one day and turning in an opposite dl- rection the next? Garfield is man without backbone, a man of fine ability but lacking stamina. He wants to please everybody and IS afraid of the enmity of all the men around him. This is why he threw 8 sop to Couk- ling and Platt. Robertson's appointment I am sure was settled before the 4th of March, yes before the Chicago convention. Robert son knew that if my nomination could be nrQVanfaH "a u0r111 hn of New York I don't suppose that he had any direct pledge. The contract " as with Blaine, and Blaine is keen and wary. Robertson, however. knew that he was to get the appointment. Blaine failed and Garfield was nominated, and the pledge to Robertson stood good Garfield knew he had to appoint him :; yet he was afraid to say so. Why d id to appoint Robertson I do not think Blaine has personally said anything to Gar field in this matter. He wants to be in po- sition to say that since he has been Secretary of State he has never interfered with ap- pointments. But through him Robertson's nomination was dictated and throughkhim it was insisted upon.
 Do you think Conkling will be reelected can't say I have been away so much and have only the press to rely on for informa- tlon. But don't think that this Legislature can elect him. When Conkling resigned it was without the intention of running again He was disgusted and wanted to get away from it.
 Are you going to New York to take part in the fight? Oh, no. I have business there and am going to attend to it. I am out of politics except as citizen who exercises his right to vote and think as he pleases
 To change the subject rather suddenly, what do you think of Jeff Davis book? 1 have only seen extracts of 1t in papers and am not cotversant with all its contents. was highly amused, and the General laughed, by his description of how he was going to escape, throw the man off his horse and the rest of it. The idea of Jeff Davis doing thing of that kind IS absurd. A man seventy years of age, for years an invalid, a coward (for Jeff Davis was always mortal coward although he had great moral courage) that was amusing.
 What do you think of the attack he made on you? didn't see that. I read his attack on Sherman and Sherman's reply about the burning of Columbia When Sherman said that if he had burned it the world would have known it at oiice, az he would have told that he did and never attempted denial, I indorse all that Sher- man says. He mi ght have gone further. would have said that while the Union forces didn't burn Columbia they had perfect right to do so, that prece- dent had been established by the rebels. Columbia was the capital of a rebel State and State which had led in rebellion. It was fortified aud could only be taken by assault. On the other hand, as soon as the rebels got above Mason and Dixon's line, they started to burn. When they got North for a few days just across the border to Chambers burg, town without defenses that was never garrisoned during the war and had no one in it but women, children and non-combatants they sacked and burned the town. Then they pushed on to Yo k, Pa, another town with outtroops and with only women, children and non combatants in it. They demanded a sum of money, several hundred thousands q don't know the exact sum), or the town must be sacked and burned The sum was scraped together and the town saved and the people are paying interest on the bonds to- day. They never repudiated and are still carrying that debt made by rebels What other precedent was necessary for burning a rebel towns But Sherman did not burn Co., lumbia. The rebels did before he got there, and it was Unionists who saved the place from total destruction. This I would have said if had been Sherman But of course no two men think of the same point in mak- ing an answer unless they consulted about 1t. What attack does he make on me?
 ''1n one place he refers to the difference in thedoss both of men and money in your ad- vance and that of Mcclellan on Richmond, and makes comparison in the latters favor"
 T captured Isa's army" was the dry an- swer, characteristic of the man who was be- ing interviewed
 He continued-"I think the book will dc good"
 ''In what way ?' 'sit viii not affect any Union men and may have the effect of driv= ing Davis old associates to the right side"
 The General talked voluntarily of the half breed press, and very vigorously expressed his opinion of their censure of him for ex- pressing his opinion so free, and he wants it understood that he will be the stalwart of stalwarts in the present issue and claims an American citizens right to express his mind freely.