Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-22
DIR. CURRY INTER- IEWED.
lie Expects No Trouble About His Reception
by the spanish Government.
[By telegraph to the Dlspatch.l

by the spanish Government.
[By telegraph to the Dispatch.l
WASHINGTON, October 2l.-Rey.
DR.. Curry, the newly-appOinted Min
lister to Spain, spent the day at the
state Department, where he had a CON
sul,ation with the Secretary and Assist
ant Secretaries Of State, with his pre-
decessor, General Foster, and with Mr..
Williams, United States Consul-General
to Cuba. To a reporter Of the Asso-
ciated Press DR.. Curry said he expected
to leave for his post on the 9th OF No
vember.
"It is said, sir" remarked the re-
porter, " that you were once in COM
mand at Andersonville, and were in
part responsible for the cruelty prac-
ticed towards Federal prisoners.
L" never was in Andersonvllle in
my life," replied DR.. Curry, land |
never had command of Federal prison
ers in my life, except such as cap
tured myself, and those ! turned over
at once. | cannot imagine how such a
story got its start. shall be glad if
you will rake my denial broad and en-
pbatic."
1.-The critics Of your appointment"
continued the reporter, "question the
propriety Of sending Baptist clergy
man a. national representative near
court so strongly Catholic as that OF
Spain.
" The criticism is unjust" was the
reply 1T would be strange thing if
tho strongest denomination in the coun-
try-you know We are the strongest
were 10 be disqualified for diplomatic
Offices on religious grounds. A mans
religion. hold, is thing between his
God and himself, and one with which
the Government has nothing to DO. ]
am . little surprised at the criticism,
too. The hardest struggle ! ever hal
when was i'm political life was as o
candidate for ihe Legislature in Ala
BONA dur.n. ths Nothing
..,.,A.. ..uc., JC- r,m-n
Der, were tW1, o.c 4 r- qonu"n go
DENY 20 foreigners The privilege If
naturalization after six years resi-
len,e, and the other proposition 20 dis
uualfy Romanists from holding Office.
bly, county was the pivotal one, and my
competitor the ablest man on that side
il the State. Ny success was very
gratifying"
Were you an anti-Know-No-
thingg"
Yes | was the champion, 7 cannot
say of the Catholics, but Of the princi-
pie Of Americanism which is embodied
in the Constitution, Of equal rights and
privileges TO all
"Of course, you anticipate no obiec-
tions from Spaniards to your recep-
tom"
Certainly not. The Spanish Gov
eminent knows my mission has nothing
to do with religion. am very much
gratiGcd by two things--l may say
three things" continued DR.. Curry;
"whcn was objected to on
the ground Of beng unknown,
so strong hepuoicah paper rs 'ho
Providence Journal vouchcd for me and
said was all right. Again, Mr.. Wash
burns card was exceedingly gratifying.
coming from a Republican leader. him
self having been eight years foreign
minister. But the expressions Of aP-
proyal from the colored people of the
south have been I, coedingly hearty and
pleasing. Ny long connection with the
Peabody Fund has made me widely
known among them. and they have taken
pans to express their approval Of my
appointment"
{" Shall you renew the negotiations
for treaty with Spams'
~ can say nothing upon that subject
matter"