St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-25
THE SILENT MAN.


When approached by your correspondent he
was waiting to have breakfast served. He
talked freely about the political situation. In
answer to query he said: Il have not
taken any active part in politics this winter;
have been shut up in sick room; 1 have
had to depend largely upon the three news
papers 1 read at home for my facts"
''What papers are 'those?'
''The Times Tribune and Commercial Id
vertiser. Each one has a different candidate,
and by studying them all 1 have arrived at
certain conclusions"
''You were interviewed at Fortress Mon
roe?''
''Not with my knowledge. The editor of a
Norfolk paper was sent up to me with re-
quest to pay his respects as Virginian. He
said he was the editor of a Norfolk news
paper, but he said he did not call to inter
view me. talked with him generally. He
printed what he could remember of this con-
Versaton. There was some truth in his re-
port and some mistakes. For instance, l
did not say that thought the contest for the
Republican nomination at Chicago had mar
rowed down to Blaine and Arthur. What 1
did say was something equivalent to this.
believed from present Indications that when
the first ballot at the Chicago Republican con-
vention should be taken Blaine, Arthur and
Logan would lead in about the order named.
l said also that Edmunds had considerable
strength in the east, and
THAT OTHER CANDIDATES.
would have enough votes to make the result
uncertain and sound prediction impossible.
In saying this did not indicate the slight
est preference"
''You have preference?"
''Certainly. Ihaye never made any con-
cealment of the fact that l would prefer John
Logan to all the others. 1 have said SO fire.
ouently and have never had any reason TO
change my views. I think Logan's chances
as good as those of any Of the candidates. "
'Did you see the elaborate story printed
the other day giving the details of recent
conversation between yourself and Mr..
Blaine in the interests of the latter, and that
Mr.. Conkling was included, he preferring
Blaine's success to Arthur"
ssNo, did not see it. tits untrue so far as
lam concerned, and know it is equally
untrue so far as it relates to Mr.. Conkling.
There is no reason for such combination
and no basis at all for the story"
''Rave you seen Mr.. Blaine since your ar
rival here!"
''No, have not seen Mr. Blaine to talk
with him since the spring of 1880"
''Do you expect to see him during your
visit here?"
''No, have no reason to expect to see
him"
''You have seen the story of Gen. Beale's
dinner party, where you were to meet Mr..
Blaine in a social way!'
81 know nothing of it. 1t is doubtful
story. would not go to dinner where
would be expected to meet Mr.. Blaine"
General, what do you think of the pros
poets Of the Repu blican party for the coming
campaign?"
''They were never better than now.
FIVE MONTHS AGO
I believed the Republicans were facing sure
defeat. 1 did not think they had any chance,
but the Democrats have remedied that. The
Democratic party can always be relied on
in the case of emergency to give the Repub-
licans victory. Their fight in the house
over the tariff has made doubtful election
certain to..the Republicans. They have been
warning upon the business interests in New
York in the house. The result will be that
number of Democratic business men will
contribute to the defeat of their own party
rather than encourage its free trade tenden-
cies. Republicans will have no difficulty in
electing any one they shall nominate. There
are two states, however, where there would
be some feeling against Arthur. In his own
state there is a great GOODNESS toward him
among his friends, which would create apa-
thy in the csse of his nomination, while in
Ohio
THE GARFIELD ELEMENT
would not heartily support him."
Gen. Grant was asked what he thought OF
Edmunds.
II see he is gaining strength in the east"
said he. Edmunds would make a strong
candidate. He has a faultless record and is
very able man."
When John Sherman's name was men
toned as probability, Gen. Grant said: Oh,
l hope not. [ should not like to see him
nominated"
He was asked to tell who would probably
be nominated by the Democrats. This he
preferred at first not to discuss, but at
length he said: eff they have any chance at
all it will be in the nomination of some man
whose name will be guarantee to the bust
ness interests of the country, that war will
uOG upO1
"What do you think of Tiden?'
''He is so feeble that if he should be nom
mated public attention would be concentrat-
ed on the second man on the ticket.''
elbow about he and McDonald?'
HE is a very clever gentleman, but free
trader. No free-trader can win.
what do you think of Payne?"
''He appears to be all right upon the tariff
question, and, although three years older
than Tilden, is well preserved with sound
and vigorous constitution. / should think
he would be good candidate for the Demo
crats.''
Straying away from the field of politics,
Grant said he was never in better health,
with the exception of the injury to his thigh,
that is recovering under the manipulations OF
the Swedish massage Professor Missen. He
will probably
REMAIN IN wAsHIN CON
SO long as the attendance of the Professor is
necessary. The General expects to be able
to do away with his clutches entirely within
the next two weeks. He is fond of Wash
ington, but never expects to abandon New
York as permanent place of residence. He
is most completely housed there and all his
children are with him. He drives out daily
here and sees quite number Oh Vlsltors eacn
day. His confinement does not appear to
have affected his general health.
A'aecdOte of Webster.
The amusing controversy and correspond
ence growing out of Secretary Marcy's court
dress circular when James Buchanan was
minister to the court of st. James, described
in an article on Buchanan in the January
number of this magazine, remindsa cores