The Indianapolis journal., 1885-02-12
GOV. HENDRICKS AT HOME.
His Observations at the South aud the
Exposition at New Orleans.
He Approves the Position Taken by Senator
Edmunds OH the Canvass Of the Vote
of the States

Vicc -president-elect Hendricks and his wife
returned yesterday afternoon from their trip to
the New Orleans exposition. A Journal re-
porter called upon Mr.. Hendricks last evening
to get his views of the ground taken by Senator
Edmunds yesterday in the count of the electoral
vote. Mr.. Hendricks. though somewhat fatigued
from his journey was looking extremely well
and was in particularly cheerful mood. s'Is it
possible that l am to be again the subject of an
interview inquired Mr.. Hendricks, what in
the world can it be now2n
II wish to ask you, Mr.. Hendricks" said the
reporter, whether or not you concur in the
sentiment expressed by Senator Edmunds at the
conclusion of the counting of the vote to-day2"
my attention." was the answer, twas not
called to the language of Senator Edmunds until
this moment l do agree with him that as Pres
ident of the Senate he could not count the vote.
The votes being counted in the presence of the
two houses, he, as their representative, and for
them, announced the result. What the an
nouncement should be was under the control of
the two houses until made but when the count
was completed by the Senate and the House,
and the result announced by the presiding officer,
it had the effect to establish the result of the
election
''If you have few minutes of leisure" said
the reporter,"I would like to have you give me
some of your impressions of the South, the con-
dition of the people there and the outlook of the
New Orleans exposition"
II am very happy" said Mr. Hendricks, ito
speak to you on the subject The purpose of
my visit to the South at this time was to see the
exposition at New. Orleans and, so far as might
contribute to its success. To that end invited
few friends to accompany me. Our journey
was very delightful one. From all heard it
seemed to me that the South is rapidly recover
ing from the disasters of the war; 1t must be
SO, for no country can long remain impoverished
that has SO nearly monopoly of 80 valuable
staple cotton But the tendency of Southern
enterprise and labor in manufacturing, and
under circumstances that encourage confidence
in their success, is very striking. In Georgia the
manufacture of cotton is q source OF great
wealth The enterprises have many advantages.
The water power in the neighborhood of
Columbus is of immense value Manufacturing
the cotton in the neigh borhood of its growth has
the advantage of saving the cost of transporta-
ton, and, to very large extent of baling the
raw material THESE advantages alone secure
fair profit
''The most remarkable deposit of mineral
wealth l have over seen is In the nelghborhood
greatest prospect of successful development.
The iron is by--ledges from ten to
twenty-five feet thick-and excellent coal is con-
venient, while the necessary limestone is also
near at hand Each of these is cheaply mined,
and they are brought together at the furnaces.
Under the policy of the State of
Alabama convict labor is used in the mines at
prices agreed upon between the State author
tiles and the contractors. Large numbers of
convicts are thus employed. The State retains
a%rfl To 1iYaAi iy frna tno emf.
ficient food and comfortable clothing. Outside
of the convict labor the colored labor is the
largest. The wages which coloreG laborers
receive range / am told, from 81 to 81. 20
a day. heard that class of labor spoken of as
being very satisfactory. / suppose that. to-day,
excellent iron can be manufactured in the neigh
borhood of Birmingham, Ala, more cheaply
than anywhere in the world. The abundance of
product will in the future, make the search for
a market of the greatest interest
1.-THE city of Birmingham and its surround
ings show very great prosperity, and the labor
ers seemed to me cheerful and faithful. There
is general air of prosperity observable every
where all over the South. From Birmingham
we went to New Orleans. | was anxious for the
success of the exposition, as l had been several
years ago for that of a similar enterprise at
Philadelphia. To both, the United States has
made appropriations in large sums, and Of
course, feel anxious for the success of this as
did for that at Philadelphia In respect
to the structures at the New Orleans
exposition, they are large and tasteful.
The exposition is also success in respect of the
exhibitions made by the States, Territories and
foreign governments have never visited a
place of greater interest The work of the
skilled mechanics, and the products of agricul-
ture are all of the highest excellence; but in
respect of the attendance of visitors, it has not
been decided success. The present indications
are that its future will be more satisfactory.
The rains at New Orleans during the month of
January, and the extremely cold weather in the
North. have prevented, suppose. as large an
attendance as otherwise there would have been.
Now the weather is delightful at New Orleans;
the displays are properly arranged; the
prices charged by the railways and hotels and
boarding houses, understand, are reasonable,
so that large attendance is probable. The dis
play made by Indiana is not so gratifying as
had hoped to see, though it is creditable.
Among the striking exhibitions is that made
by the Republic of Mexico. Every State of the
United States is represented, and every Terri
tory except Utah and Alaska The States of
Central America, France Italy, Russia and other
foreign countries are beautifully represented.
The exposition is now a great attraction.
heard of more Indianians on the way than met
there. Before the close of February think In
diana will be well represented among the visit
ors.'