The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1882-02-28
McCULLAGH ANDFILLEY.
The Globe-Democrat Editor
Again Speaks Freely
As to Present Political Affairs
in Missouri.
What President Arthur Had to
Say Last Week.
ST. Louis Chronicle.


The conference recently held at Wash
ington between McCullagh, OF the Globe
Democrat, and President Arthur, in rela-
ton to Missouri politics, has created no
small sensation in political circles, and so
great has been the interest thus awakened
that the Chronicle has thought proper To
interview the returned editor and ascertain,
If possible, the exact situation of affairs.
Mr.. McCullagh was found in his edi-
torial boudoir, and smiled all over when
approached upon the subject OF his visit to
the national capital.
In answer to an inquiry As TO the real
object of his visit TO Washington he re-
piled
THE Globe men were making some
changes in the editorial rooms, remodeling
them for the better convenience of the
force, and thought it would give me a
good opportunity to visit our Washington
correspondent and confer with him as to
the best means of making that department
of our paper as efficient as possible"
"Were you not influenced by political
motives? ?"
'Not i'm the least. When / left st Louis
l had very little thought of Filley, and
was only reminded of his existence in
Washington. There was surrounded by
a large number of congressman and others
who denounced Mr.. Filley in very forcible
language. They told me that Filley had
established system of office breakage at
the capital which was demoralizing every
one, and that his endorsement was neces-
sary TO the appointment OF an applicant
FOR ANY POSITION.
Senator Vest told me of one instance
where Il candidate had made application
for the position of pension examiner. The
application was referred to Filley, and he
sent back word that the candidate was not
qualified and was no friend to the union
soldiers. The contrary, however, was well
known To he the case. / mentioned this to
the president, who manifested good deal
of surprise. He was not aware eli how the
case had been manipulated, but promised
it should not happen any more"
"Did you visit the president for the pur-
pose of presenting charges against Filley"
''By no means. had not thought much
about visiting the president at first, but
was induced to do so by the many who had
complaints against Mr.. Filley. then en-
deavored to learn what was being done and
To do nv best to straighten out matters for
the satisfaction of those concerned"
"How did the president receive you"
"Eery courteously. He listened very at
tentivelv to all said. He manifested
deep interest in the republican party OF
Missouri. and said he would like To see il
get along prosperously and would do
EVERYTHING HE COULD
for its veal and prosperity. / tried to i'm
press him with the idea that the policy of
removing Office-holders was bad one for
Missouri where several mistakes had been
made which Mr.. Filley, unfortunately, has
been the cause OF. We also discussed the
propriety of asserting faction lines within
the republican party. We cannot afford
to draw lines any longer between the Grant
and anti-Grant men. The wounds of the
party are too numerous and need to be
healed too badly to permit discussion of
the relative merits of men whose candida
cy for future Office is only known to their
followers and not to themselves"
@How did the president receive your
conversation
The president is not a man of promis-
es; he impresses one as being very keen,
shrewd officer, and less given to remark
than observation. He is rather reticent in
his manner, but is sharp observer of
everything that occurs"
did he make any promises in relation
to the matters which you discussed?'
81 required no promises from him and
had none to ask. Yes, L did, too. / did
ask him to send Filley to Alaska and then
present the country to Russia, but that he
did not definitely promise to do"
"HOw did Filley acquire all his author
Nv at Washington"
1T all came to him through James,
whose place he expected to secure. James
probably
TOOK 1T FOR GRANTED
that Fiiley would be his successor and re-
ferred all applicants for political Office to
him. Afterward hs captured Kirkwood
and in this manner was elevated to high
degree of dignity and importance i'm his
own estimation and the estimation of
others. James is a weak man and easily
star route business. 1t is he who started
the star route prosecutions, but he did not
have courage enough to stay with them,
and turned tail"
what position is Mr.. Filley DESTROYS of
flling?"
"He is evidently striking for st. Gems
place as officer of customs, but / don't
think he'll get there. Filley's throttle
valve must be shut off some time, and it
might as we'll be done right now. Not,
mind you, because don't think he is en-
titled to position, for do think he is,
and it was THAT reason that l made appli-
cation to the president for his appointment
as governor of Alaska, but don't know of
any Office in the gift of the president that
would be q more suitable and adequate
compens alton of his services to the Tepub-
lican party"
What do you think of the outlook for
the party in Missouri"
"Well, the party cannot hope for imme-
diate success, that is
YET AHEAD,
suit We may succeed in the course of time.
The emigration is, of course, factor, but