St. Paul daily globe., 1884-04-21
DISCUSSING CANDIDATES.
Robert B. Roosevelt, the Anti-Tam-
many Leader, Expresses
His Views.
The Fitness of Cleveland, Cooper, Hewitt,
Flower and Blaine for Presidential
Candidates.
Especial Telegram to the Globe. !

New YORK, April 19.-RObert B. Roose-
velt, in an interview with Gath, said, as to
Cleveland's availability as presidential can
didate: she is one Of the most available
men in the country. If the Democratic
party would keep up its old-fashioned regu-
larity, and make sucn defections as Tam
many Hall has been guilty of, an example
it would command the respect Of its own vot-
ers and neutrals. But when it is seen that a
good governor like Cleveland is spit upon
and assaiIed in the legislature and every
where else by Tammany Hall American
Democrats make up their minds that the
party talks one thing and does another. They
hardly have a meeting but some poor Celt is
disciplined for expressing his private opinion,
yet theya always in revolt against the party
they belong to, and the state conventions
have not character enough to discipline them,
consequently we lose everything we have
gained"
Said I: 'EDon't you think that Cleveland,
in presidential year might get large por-
ton of the vote that originally elected him"
eyes, Cleveland has kept absolute faith
with the great majority he received. He has
supported and signed all legislation respect
able for the good government of New York
city, just as he first attracted attention by re-
buking political villiany in his own party at
Buffalo. He is a conspicuous Democratic
leader, in that he is doing nothing to get the
presidency. He is simply and solely governor
of New York, and is bright contrast to many
4Io, 10
merely for the sake of getting our nomina-
ton for president. If we had the courage
as party to nominate a man like that the
floating and uncertain vote would come to
u.s."
''Do you see any candidate in the state of
New York that you think would run well but
Cleveland?'
Mr.. Roosevelt thought a moment and said:
II think Edward Cooper would run very
well for president. He was mayor of New
York and was constant under difficulties and
patient and finally successful in getting out
Kelly and his following. 1t is true that
his term was done by the time he
succeeded, because Kelly traded with the Re-
publicans to keep himself and his gang in; d;
vet respectable persons, wiling to do justice,
will see that Edward Cooper, while not bru-
tai man, adhered to principles. In the city
of New York he has very large following
on account OF the philanthrophy of his father
to poor young men, for whom he built a
great institute and has educated so many.
The son is well educated, has a clear charac-
ter, is pure man and would make a good
magistrate. In the white house he would be
above the kind of low annoyances which
visit gentleman in the mayors office.''
''Do you think Mr.. Hewitt can make the
presidential nomination."
''No, Hewitt has not ballast enough to keep
him from Topping over"
''What do you think of Mr.. Flower?"
'Flower,'' said Mr.. Roosevelt, ''has bot
toned himself on Jimmy O'Brien. O'Brien
took him to the st ateconvention for govern
or when Cleveland beat him. 1t may be that
Flower has seen through O'Brien by this time,
but he has been pretty late about it.
"What do you think of Mr. Blaine as the
probable Republican candidate!"
81 have nothing to complain of about
Blaine personally. When [ was in congress
he gave me a hearing on at least one occa-
sion against his own sympathies and inter
ests. That was when [ was attacking Boss
Shepherd and the district government 1
tried for long time to get the floor, but
such was the machinery there that 1
only got it at last by Fernando
Wood saying to me one day, Il have got
an hour on one of my appropriation bills, but
shall give way to you if you are ingenious
enough to make your speech against the dis
trict ring. got the floor, and in two min
utes was in the midst of the district matter,
and all the friends of the district ring were
sitting around, each afraid to stop me but
all wanting me stopped. Finally Dan Voor-
hees came in and went to the front and
shouted that the gentleman was not speak
ing germane to the question. Blaine
was smart enough to trip him
right up and said, ''When the gentleman
took the floor he had it understood that he
meant to speak on the affairs of the District
of Columbia, and as he was not objected to l
will not now entertain the objection, and he
shall finish his remarks. Now, l owe Blaine
no grudge, but would rather see the repre-
sentatives select for their president a man
free from pecuniary blemish. While l do not
expect saint at the head Of the government,
think character ought to be considered.