The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-03-25
ELI PERKINS.
An Argus Reporter Boards a c., r. l.
&P. Train and Interviews
Americas Greatest
Prodigy.

",
livered lecture last night. Eli is regular
genius. He has followed dozen different
things for livelihood He has been a
poet, a lawyer, preacher, then a news
paper man, and now finally he turns up
as a lecturer. The only thing; barring
this last venture, that Eli proved a success
was as a journalist. He used to be re
porter on a New York paper, and it was
while acting in this capacity that he
earned the reputation of being the cham
pion newspaper correspondent of the
world.
The ARGUS scribe tackled Eli yesterday
afternoon on c., r. /. & P. train, and
tried to interview him. But at first it was
no go. Eli examined the card handed
him by the reporter, and then handed it
back, saying; "Humph, so you are
reporter, are you? Come here and sit
down, Bub want to pinch you and see
what kind of stuff you arc. made out of.
l used to be a reporter myself, once upon
a time, and know how it goes. You
want to interview me, do you? Wen,
Bub, you can't do it. Go back to your
managing editor and give him my compli
ments, and tell MIN that old Eli is too
smart for any of his young men"
But. Mr.. Perkins, won't you tell me
who you are for presidents" asked the
reporter.
who am | for for president; is that
what you want to know-eh?" why,
what difference does it make to the peO =
pie of Rock Island or the United States
what man | favor? | am no politician. |
never set up the pins for a man in all
my life-nor did ! ever help set up the
pins am only an American citizen
a free, untrammeled citizen-going about
the country lecturing to make my living.
The only way ever helped make pres
ldent was ON paper. You know how that
is done don't your"
''Bnt really, Mr.. Perkins, you have some
fayorte. You are an old newspaper man,
have travelled great deal and have a
large circle of friends in the United
States, and of course know how the
political pot is boiling, Come, be frank
with me, and tell whom you favor?"
Young man, you are pretty slick
Where did you grow? You feed taffy like
as if you owned a sorghum factory !
have no preference in the candidates.
But, of course have heard great deal
| can tell you what have heard, if that
will DO you any good"
"All right, fire away. l am glad TIC
see that taffy has opened your lips" re
piled the reporter.
Il was in the east week before last, and
left there last Thursday The eastern
people seemed to take more interest in the
choice of the coming conventions than the
people out here in the west. | found in
the east strong sentiment in favor OF
Blaine. The east would vote for him
almost to a man, with the exception OF
New York. Blaine is not popular in New
York. This is owing to Conkling's influ-
enCe. President Arthur is also very pop
ular in the cast, His past administration
has given general satisfaction. Then
there is Logan. He would be strong
candidate in the east"
How about the democratic candidates,
ch?"
well, | can hardly venture guess Oh,
say have you read the interviews lately had
with Tilden. What do you think of
them? Ha, ha! How foolish we mortals
are. Here in the west the people believe
the stuff sent from New York by the cor
respondents. They say-or some of them
do-that Tilden is not a candidate fol
president. This is all mere bosh Tilden
is candidate, and will bet the proceeds
of my next thirty lectures that he will be
the unanimous nominee of the democratic
convention in Chicago next July. Marx
it down, young men, and when July
passes away see if | am not correct. Til
den is the strong man in the democratic
party. But do not believe that Hendricks
will be nominated for vice president. II
is altogether probable that Payne of
Ohio, will be nominated"
rs there anything else you can tel
me97 queried the reporter.
No, not that | know of Oh, yes,
am going to deliver lecture in your city
some time in the near future, but | cam
say anything more now, for l see the
train is about ready to start, so good day
Mr. Reporter