The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-03-24

representative of the Sentinel. Mr.. McDon-
aid has joined the ranks of the army going
up and down this quarter of the earth armed
with pockethan kerchiefs, sneezing, snuff
ing and coughing. BE was suffering so much
from cold, contracted en- route to Washing.
ton, as TO be confined to his bedroom.
The conversation drifted at once to affairs
at the Capital City, and he was asked by the
Sentinel to say something OF his mission
there.
my late visit to Washington, he began,
twas chiefly on business, though it was my
purpose to avail myself of the opportunity
to make the acquaintance of the President
and of the Cabinet ministers that had not
met, to renew the acquaintance of those l
had known. and to meet old friends, especi-
ally my former colleagues'
"You arrived in Washington"
ION Monday, the 10Th inst. A party, con-
sisiing of Messrs. J. P. Frenzsl, J. @. Shoe
maker, Senators Msgee and Bailey, myself
and others. under escort of Senator Voor-
bees, began round of calls, the first being
st the White House and the next upon the
distinguished chief of the State Department
OK Senator Bayard. Thence We called sue
cessively upon the other Cabinet off.
GERS. Our reception was cordial every
where, but especially warm and hearty
at the State and Interior Departments and
the Attorney Generals Office. / was also
very ievoTably impressed with the new &C
qusintances made in the Secretary OF the
Treasury and the Secretary of War. The
Postmaster General and the Secretary of the
Navy. had formerly known and esteemed
highly. / was particularly struck with Mr..
ManniDg's appearance a1d manner, and il
am not deceived he will be a very strong
fEctor in this administration
You visited the Senate chamber" quer-
led the Sentinel.
"Yes, but not until Wednesday and only
rem aimed during the brief time the Senate
was IN open session. 1t was great pleasure
TO meet my old friends of the Senate with
whom l had served, and that pleasure was
enhanced by the fact that they appeared no
less glad to see me-"
You saw the President q second time,
did you not2' was asked.
Eyes. On Wednesday, by invitation,
took quiet dinner with the President and
his family and spent the evening with him.
The time was spent IN very earnest aud to
me. very interesting conversation. / sought
10 bring the attention of the President IS
pointedIy as l could to the fact that Indiana
Was not receiving, so far as has been deVel-
oped TO this time, as much consideration
from his admins ration 9s we felt the State
YVES justly entitled to. He knew perfectly
well and clearly understood that these sug.
gestions did not arise from any disapooint-
ment on my part in the makeup of his Cab.
oct, for none existed. Nor do believe the
apparent neglect Of ourState has been inten-
tional on his part. l said to him pleasant
ly that as Indiana had no representative in
his Cabinet, we would have to look to him TO
be our representative in il, and he assured
me that in thes end we would have no cause
for complaint"
What estimate did you form OF Mr..
Cleveland" asked the Sentinel.
"Of course had formed an opinion of the
President before meeting him, but, like
most opinions formed in advance, found
them more or less at fault. He is q man of
much more ability than the public have
been inclined to give him credit for, but it is
of that quiet kind that does not demons trate
itself until occasion calls 1t out. He is an
earnest, thoughtful man, who looks upon
official station as q sacred trust, and will
undoubtedly bend all his energies to
faithful discharge Of its duties.
So, if 1 were characterizing his administra-
ton, / would say the two leading ideas or
features of it, weuld be efficiency aud
economy. Every one holding an Office under
him will be required to discharge fully and
Z,
while be will take measures to cut down the
official force to the lowest possible point con-
si-tent with an efficient discharge of the
public duties. While all official changes
that are made will be made in the interest of
his party, he will not attempt to make ap.
pointments in violation OF law or at the ex-
pense of the public service.
with regard to the general policies aud
measures of his administration it would be
more difficult for me to speak, though it is
safe to say they will be shaped bv Demo
cratic landmarks. During the week l had
occasion, at different times, at the several
departments. Everything l saw went TO sat-
nate IN his make up OF the Cabinet, with the
qualification that its sectional dis
tributiOn might hava been more
acceptable. Colonel Villas, the Post
master General, being the sole repre-
sentative OF the West in the Cabinet, will
necessarily have resting on him higher de-
gree OF personal resp visibility than perhaps
any other member, but am gratified in be-
lieviDg thst the Northwest will not be disap-
pointed in him"
Answering q question IS to who were his
fsvorites among the Cabinet officers, Mr..
Mcdonald said that his old associates in the
Senate Messrs Bayard Lamar and Garland,
were, and that it would be naturally ex-
peced that they would be so.
ut has been stated, as II semi officially,
that you were rendered the mission to Rus
sic. What about thisP" questioned the Sem
tineI
''I lad no intention OF seeking any posi-
ton for myself" was answered. 81 was
made awsre, however, that the President as
well as bis Cabinet felt quite DESTROYS of
expressing their friendship for and conf
dence in me- and that this was true wss made
manifest Bat my own views and purpose 3
would not permit me to accept fattering ss
L IL
as was the manner in which il was ten
dered."