St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-08
curiosity, the literary aud the reportorial fac
uities are hardly there.
Mr.. Letter. the Millionaire Merchant, In
terviewed-
Especial Telegram to the Globe.

Mr.. Letter. the millionaire Merchant, In
terviewed.
| Especial Telegram TO the Globe
CHICAGO, Dec. 7.-'what is the feeling in
business circles regarding Mr.. Cleveland's s
election - was asked OF Mr.. L. s. Letter. the
Chicago retired millionaire merchant, who is
spoken of in connection with cabinet posi-
ton.
''At first there was more or less alarm felt.
and a feeling of uncertainty about the future.
but that has worn of, and as a rule the busl-
ness element has become reassured. and
does not look forward with any large degree
of apprehension. In fact, the president
elect mas been so conservative in his
course and words that people really begin to
think that he is controlled by a desire to make
it business mans administration, plain,
steady, common sense rule, with no non
sense about IT, When / met Mr.. Cleveland,
] studied him as closely as possible, weighed
his words and measured him to the best Of
my ability. To my mind his predominant
trait is strong common sense. There is moth
ing vague and visionary about him, and /
think the key note was struck when he said
that the better part Of the Republican party
and that part Of the Democratic party which
favored good government would be satisfied
with his course With this as a text, there
need not be much doubt as TO his intended
policy"
''Will he make wholesale removals from
onicep'
Il do not think that he will interfere with
| no nj md Ia ,F or1--
etc. As to the heads of departments and
bureaus. it is nothing more than right and
just that those who fill such Offices should be
in harmony with the administration. The
most advanced advocates of civil service re-
form could ask no more than that. In this
con nection / will state, not on hearsay, but
of my own knowledge, that be goes into Office
without having made single promise to any
individual regarding a reward for services
rendered, or with mortgage due on any Of
fee or offices. There never was a president
who entered the Office as completely untram-
meled."
Turning from politics TO business, do
you look for any change in the situationlp
''Not much before next spring. / believe
that we have about touched the lowest point
in all directions. There has been more
or less over-production in different
channels and there does not
exist a stagnation that is likely
to continue during the winter, for that is
not season in which much movement could
be made. But / look forward to a revival in
the spring, and in year, when the people
see that no harm comes of a change Sf par
ties, everything will be moving along pros
perously and in good shape. Let me say
this right here about the west, and / don't
believe it is vanity on my part to state that
know this section of country, and the great
Mississippi valley as well as any living
man, for have studied it
during a thirty years residence in
Chicago. It never was in better con dition.
Its farmers and producers are, as rule,
forehanded, out of debt and prosperous, and
the resources are great. They have an i'm
mense crop on hand, which while large
enough to stagger one in its magnitude, still
comes when the former stocks have been
exhausted and as soon as confidence is re-
stored, and they come TO understand thai
there are no rocks ahead, you will see a for
ward movement that will create boom in
trade circles"
Mr.. Letter was in all of his utterances very
optimistic in regard to both politics and
trade. In referring TO the pressure of what
the south would bring to bear on Mr.. Cleve-
land for spoils of Office, be said that he
thought that the report was exaggerated.
And even if it did happen the new president
had the stamina and physique that would en-
able him to resist il successfully.
Mr.. Letter has leased Mr.. Blaine's new
house in Washington for term of five years,
and his family will make the capital their
residence, while he will divide his time be-
tween New York and Chicago.