Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-05-02
SENATOR LELAND STAMFORD.
Conversation with a Reporter on Various
Topics of Interest.

Conversation
Topics of Interest.
Tsan Francisco Bulletin, May 1st]
United States Senator Leland Stanford
arrived in this city this forenoon, coming
overland in his special car. BY way OF the
Central Pacific, accompanied by MS. Stan
ford, his niece, Miss Lattrop, and hir
Nash, his private secretary. He was met
al Sixteenth street Oakland, by Colonel C.
Z. Croker. The same train brought J. a.
Fillmore from Sacramento and 4. n.
Towne from Port Costa. Senator Stanford
appeared to be ii fine health. After his
carriage had been driven on board the
fe:ry-b0at at Oakland he conyer5ed freely
cqncerning various topics of interest.
Il T saw General Grant the night before I
left New York for California" lie said
CAS- Won have probably read he was i'm
proved in his condition. The physicians
continued to hold to the theory that he
was afflicted with Il cancer saw General
Grant several times. He was always ready
TO converse freely when the condition OF
his throat would permit. He enjoyed con-
Yersati0n. Through it all his wife has
never believed that he would die, Did he
think mat he would get well, you ask?
He said TO me that he had been three
times through the valley of the shadow of
death One night when | left him never
expected TO see him alive again. Then
there was d time, you rccollect, when he
was Ike dead; there was no movement Of
the pulse 2ercep.ibIe, He says that the
prompt action Of the physicians saved
him. All the family, except Mrs. Grant,
thought that he would never recover, and
it was a sad household
" How did General Grant appear to you
N, Lar, ,,nr, las+ saw him ?)
" His poise and carriage were hopeful
symptoms He retained his mental energy.
On several occasions, when rose to go, he
urged me to remain, that he might continue
the conversation longer Concerning his
present condition the newspapers have
probably told all.
What was your impression concerning
President Cleveland and his Cahinet?'
81 met Mr.. Cleveland two years ago,
when he was Governor Of New York State.
His leading characteristic, as an official, l
should Judge to be i capacity for business.
He is not taciturn, but fair talker. While
he forms his own opinions, and acts upon
them, he considers and gives due weight
to the presentations made to him. The
Cabinet is able, intellectually. Secretary
Manning rose from printers boy-a little
devil you would call him. He is Pfesi-
dent of bank and has had much contact
With affairs. But the Cabinet are ali well
known by this time
What do YOU think will be the course
pursued in making Pacific coast appoint
ments to Federal Offices p
L do not think that factions will be
recognized. 1t seems probable to me that
men viii be selected because of known
fitness. Yes, there were many California
Democratic politicians in Washington dur
ing my stay there. They undoubtedly
told some truth, and, as you suggest some
fables"
How do the old time Washington pol
iticians consider the prospects concerning
civil service enforcement
THE old politicians of the line are in
Credul0us about il They DO not think that
such i thing is within the probabilities, and
are inclined to look upon the present move
ment as q sort of spasm.'
Does the handing over of appoint
ments 10 the heads Of departments work
well2'
1t has been my position that such was
the only course to pursue to enforce the
spirit of the civil service rules. When the
head Of Q department IS made personally
responsible for the conduct of his subor-
dinates, there is no reason Why ne should
exchange q competent man for one who is
incompetent. Appointments are .,,-,,,.
made in the departments at Washington
unuer the civil service rules, but they arc
made slowly"
have y3u made any progress lately in
connection with the University which you
propose to establish ?"
Il have talked with leading educators in
the East, especially with one who is young,
Of executive ability and who is at the head
of ~
gentleman has promised to come to Cali
fornia the coming summer to look over the
field and see what can be done and to adj
wise with me. He viii not promise to
come as yet. 10 undertake the work. for he
has very fine position and IS pleasantly
situated. No, do not feel at liberty to
, mention his name at this time"
d" Your description would seem to Gen.
Francis \. Walker"
" Il was singular how many persons in
the East, to whom l mentioned my plans,
ut once said that General Walker was the
man for the place But | cannot now inen-
ton the name of the person to whom I re
fcrred who viii visit California"
Shall you do anything in California this
summer toward the University"
Yes, | hope to name Board of Trus-
tees 10 whom | shall convey certain prop
erty, III trust, to provide against accident.
That IS probably all tina. will have time
- accomplish this season"
" Concerning your future plans, is there
anything you would like to say ?"
| don't know that there is anything
more that l can say that would be Of in
tercst to the public. ] shall remain in
California, or hope to, until fail, when /
will return to Washington. have secured
. house in Washington. A hotel is too &C
cessible'
To reporters, do you mean ?"
Senator Stanford laughed good naturally
and engaged III conversation with Colonel
c. f. Croker.