Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-27
GATH GOSSIP.

A Talk With Gen. McCook ON Politics
The Strife for the Speakersh1p-The
Question of Absolute FREQ Trade Out Of
Politics The Next Presidency
JGath Letter.
New YRK, Dec. 26.-Gen. Arson
McCook came in on Christmas eve,
and in response to my inquiries, said: 81
hear very little politics talked at Washing
ton. The members Of congress are not
much occupied in discussing the political
future. If sone of the members feel a
little sobered by the results of the last
election, they do not cackle about it.
Nor is the speakership contest making
any excitement at Washington, because so
many of the members of the present con-
gress go out that set of strangers are to
settle the election.
"Who do you think will be elected?'
'Well, I should think Randall might
be. At the same time he has a
very strong competitor in Carlisle. They
are both men of capacity and in different
directions. Randall is a very smart polit-
ical manager and parliamentarian. Car
Isle is one of the most interesting men I
ever heard in debate. He does not 90 into
that class of questions which Randall ex-
cells in, the management and bearing of
the party toward future victory. He de-
bates manly on matters of principle. He
is clever maA in his nature, above conten-
c,1hf ;olr -, kc1~
advantage. I have come in contact with
him little, and like him personally, and
always hear him speak with profit.
On the other hand, Randall has large ex-
perience, large acquaintance, and is pref
ty good fellow too. I should think that
the tendency OF events might be toward
Randall in the matter of the tariff. That
is very great question in this country. I
think you will realize the statement that
there are no longer free traders per Sc in
the United States. There may be few
wild doctrinaires, but not enough to make
respectfully large organization. The
country is committed to tariff by having
been in that channel before the
present generation came on the
stage. Mills, factories, productions to sup
ply them, trained labor, machine builders,
everything has been adapted to protect
ed condition of the manufacturer among
US. and that system, extending from New
England to the Delaware, has entered into
the West, built up flourish
ing towns and cities there, and is
descending the Mississippi valley into the
south, being hailed everywhere as the ad-
vent of home markets and a varied in
dustry. do not presume that is strong
statement of the popular view, at least, of
what the United States has been for gen.
Grafton, or nearly so, now. A party that
can overturn system rooted in all the
needs and knowledge of the people like
that, or any close approach to it, would be
sure to destroy the spinal life of this ceun-
try, the nervous centers of our prosperity,
which are these manufactures. From max
ing everything, or nearly everything, we
would soon be reduced to nation that
made but few and very crude things.
Neither party, no section,
no statesman, is willing, for
theory, to see that result. New York
is perhaps the most advanced free trade
center of the country. Here the importing
interests, the importing capital, the mer-
camille ambition to sell everything from
this point, dwells. Yet I am confident
shat there is net one district in this city
which would elect an up and down free
trader against protectionist if that issue
were debated. For myself I am also in
favor of looping off the e1crescences and
follies of the tariff. But that we are in q
country developed under protection, and
to be continued so, think is understood
everywhere. do not presume that
Mr.. Randall will be injured in his
candidacy for speaker by the
understanding that he is more
or less of protectionist. Mr.. Carlisle
does not srrogate that theoretical free
trade is what he wants to put in practice
hsre.''
HAS Robson showed any humility
since congress has re-assembled?"
"No. You couldn't suppose he had been
beaten at all, by anything in his manner"
'Whom are the Republicans going to
nominate for president next term?"
II have no idea from anything have
heard Speaking to Mr.. hewitt, of New
York, the other day, he said the Republi-
can candidate, he believed, would be
General Sherman. I read your converse
ton with the general, where he thought
the enjoyment of his full pay for the rest
Of his life would be better than four
years in the presidency, and thought his
head was remarkably round. think Grant,
if he had remained in the army and been
returned at the proper time, would have
been more fortunate"
''Is the old factional fight in the party
still strong, general?"
| 81 don't hear much about il. I went to
hear Mr.. Conkling make an argument be-
fore the supreme court week or two ago.
Not being familiar with the law of the case
1 could only appreciate his style and gen
eral address which I thought were very
happy. I never saw him looking better
than now. The supreme court was fuller
than ever saw it on such occasions. He
made an argument on the right of certain
counties or localities in California to COL
lect special taxes out of railroads chartered
/ by the government There was a full