Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-05
VANnERRIIIT TALKS.
His Views on Newspapers, Politics an
Presidents.


His Views on Newspapers, Politics ana
Presidents.
The following Is an extract from an
interview with Mr.. w. II. Wander
bilt, published in the New York
Journal, March l. The conversation
at the outset touched upon newspa-
pers, as Mr.. Vanderbilt was asked If he
generally read the papers. A look OF
scorn passed over his face as he answered
in deeper tone than he had previously
used:
Il don't exactly read them. l glance
over one or two sometimes. There said
he, pointing to pile of four or five lying
on the carpet beside his chair, 'are few,
and I'm ashamed to say they're here
ashamed to let my friends know l read
them. Scarcely can l pick up paper
without seeing something exceedingly
disagreeable to me in it,"
JUSTICE.
''You are frequently done justice, are
you nOtw
Justice? Umph! J-u-s-t-i-c-e," and
Nr. Vanderbilt rose from his chair and
placed the eyeglasses with a snap, glanc-
ing sharply at the reporter and contln-
ued
''It's not a frequent occurrence if they
| ever do me justice"
Advancing to the fireplace, he leaned
| toward the table and snapped the large
topaz fob charm once with his thumb be-
| fore Strengthening up again.
"You order your papers yourself, don't
you"
My butler buys the papers and pays for
them. Pve nothing to do with the order
ing of them. Now, speaking of neWspa-
! pers, l consider it the meanest business
man can be in. What is a newspaper ed
itOr, I'd like to know? I'll tell you what
he is He is a man who spares no one.
He is feared by all. Why, it's no use for
prominent men to say they don't care a
in for news"
''Who would think they were so terri
bic, MIR. NanderbiltT
AS A POLITICIAN.
"a newspaper man has the advantage
of every one. He comes to you, who are
| unprotected, and with paper at his back
can do with you as he pleases. Ihey con-
troll politics. And speaking of politics,
was once politician myself in small
way on Staten Island, though | don't in
terest myself much in it at the present
time. l used to have fun when l was
politician there"
"What is your view OF the coming cam
| paign?'
a free-trader exactly, Pm not far from it.
This high tariff business is all nonsense;
for instance, want an elegant Persian
carpet; | buy one in Europe; see? Well,
| pay duty on it; that's all right, but
when it comes to paying duty on steel
that's too much. It's putting money by
the handful into the manufacturers
pockets. who are growing rich.
THE PRESIDENTS.
DON'T you think the people respect the
government
"Respect! Look at the President. How
much respect do they show the President
to what they used to? Umph" And, re-
gaining his chair, he shrugged his nose
and down came the eyeglasses ON his
broadcloth lap.
''Why, sir, in days past the President
was always considered the smartest and
ablest man of the nation; now he is,
what?"
''But Mr.. Arthur" asked the astonish-
ed reporter.
"Ah, Arthur; yes, I've known Arthur
a number of years. He's good may
say nice-fellow, but Mr.. Lincoln was the
mantle greatest ever produced by this
country, and it's pity he didn't live to
serve it longer"
''For whom did you vote last election,
Mr.. Vanderbilt"
Last election, let me see. Oh, yes;
there was Garfield and Arthur running
against-whO-wh was the other candl-
date? All, yes; Gen. Hancock Well, l
was in Europe just before the election,
and decided to vote for Hancock, as he is
an hOnest-very hOnest-man, but when l
reached this country | altered my mind
and voted for Garfield"
"Why this change, Mr.. NanderbiltP'
''The change was natural, since, as you
know, in this country everything changes
every three MONTHS
"What caused the change in your par
ticular Opinion?"
''That man questionable tariff and eX-
cise-caused me to vote as l did, though
| considered Hancock elected till that
came up. Now, ] don't say anything
about Garfield, not at all, and l consider
Arthur good President"
''Do not the people make good choice
usually"
''The American people jump too much
| at favOrites. It's their fault. They lug a
man from the battlefield, set him in the
White House, and think he'll do just as
well there as at fighting"
GENERAL GRANT.
'sYOu refer to Gen. GrantY'
''Oh, no, / don't mean Grant particu-
larly; but, speaking of Gen. Grant (and
know him very well), Grant has greatly
! improved since his trip around the world
greatly improved. L never considered
him a man Of any great ability, but he
has learned many things and gotten new
ideas that have proved of great use to
him."
This was said with real benevolence,
and put Mr.. Vanderbilt into excellent
humOr with himself.
''Ah,0 he continued, she's a silent man.
That goes long way. People make mis-
takes nowadays. They know too much.
They talk too much. Now, man to be
smart man must be a 'knownothing;'
they're the best"
Here Mr. V. arose and laughed with
tremendous glee. The reporter, lodging
his swinging arms, Joined in the laugh.