The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1883-11-10
GEN. NELSON A. MILES
A Pleasant Chat with the Veteran
Indian Fighter an Politics and
the Future of the Northwest.

Gen. Nelson A. Miles. now command
ing the department of the Columbia, ar
rived in St. Paul with his family yesterday
morning, direct from Boston, where he
has been sojourning for the past few weeks.
He is the living embodiment of health,
and to Pioneer Press reporter he stated
that his visit home had been in all respects
a very pleasant one. Gen. Miles is to
some extent interested in he'political out
look. Referring to the prominent candi-
dates for the presidential nomination, he
stated in regard to Mr.. Tlden that the old
gentleman is in some respects physically
helpless, which would seem to negative
Henry Waterson's Tilden boom letter pub
lished in the Courier-Journal last summer.
Gen. Miles had passed some time of late
near Yonkers, N. Y, contiguous to Mr..
Tilden's summer residence, Greystone.
He stated thai Uncle Samuel never goes
out without All attendent, and it is almost
impossible for him to raise his hands to
his face. The New York Sun, while boom
ing Holman, has overlooked no opportuni-
" to testify to the almost painfully rugged
health of the philosopher of Greystone.
Mr.. Arthur was living example OF the
truth of the proposition that any respecta-
BILE gentleman Of respectable attainments
is capable of fulfilling the duties of the
executive. Mr.. Arthur has done very well
under the circumstances; his appointments
having been good ones, and his admin
istration very good, without brilliant
features. He doubted, however, whether
Mr., Arthur had any chance of securing
the nomination for the presidency.
AS to Gen. Butler. Well, Gen. Butler
has the ability-and a smile suggested the
rest. He considered it a striking instance
of Gen. Buffers ability and determination
that Notwithstanding the hostility of the
leading people, and the condemnation Of
the leading journals of Massachusetts,, he
had come to be governor of that great com
monWealth.
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC.
Gen. Miles came east on the first through
train over the Northern Pacific from Port
land. He believed the road had great
future before it, and as to material advan-
tages and resources, he believed them
greater than those of the Central and
Southern Pacific railways combined. The
lumber interests of Oregon, especially on
Puget sound, are greater than the uninitia-
ted have any knowledge of, the salmon
canning industry has grown to immense
proportions; and Portland has already
come to be the third city of its size in
wealth and Importance on the continent.
The route through which the Northern
Pacific passes is rich in material resources;
its minerals, its wheat, its lumber and its
industry are four great inter-
ests which combined, are sure to stamp
this great transcontinental highway in
time as one of the most important if not
greatest, in the world A large immigra
ton is already focking to the North
Pacific coast from South and East. What
will it grow to in the near future is beyond
the power of any one to estimate. Gen.
Miles is very much pleased with his Pa
cifc coast station, and finds Portland and
vicinity very agreeable. Referring to st.
Paul, the general took occasion to testify
his appreciation OF its rapid growth. He
predicts that in fifteen years the two cities
of Minneapolis and St. Paul will contain as
many inhabitants as are now contained in
Chicago, namely, about 100000. est.
Paul. he said, ''has got splendid start
and is full Of yigor. | think it has the as
surance of grand future" Relative to
army changes the general was painfully
reticent.
AcOrns From Which These Oaks.