Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-01-03
GEN. J. WARREN KEIFER.

The o. S. Journal of yesterday has g
letter from this town column and hal
long devoted to our townsman General j
Warren keifer 1t is signed SoCoTRA, bu,
was evidently (internal evidence) not
written by her We make extracts OF the
important points of it, as follows:
The generals Oldest son, J. Warren Keifer
jr, is out West, and is raising and tending
cattle on a thousand broad acres of prairie
along the Republican river.
suppose, commenced, that you pretty
we'll understand the disposition of the present
Congress; and | should like to know if any
thing will be done in regard to the tariff thi.
winter
al think," he replied, "thst no tariff legis,
latiou will be seriously attempted. The free,
trade Democrats can not possibly get through
any bill on the subject; and il they could, il
would fail in the Senate"
What will probably be done in regard &c
the coinage of silver?
Nothing. This Congress will neither
stop the coinage OF silver dollars nor change
their weight
VIII You briefly state the provisions Of the
interstate commerce bill now pending in the
House?
"Tne bill you refer to is known as the
Reagan bill 1t is quite lengthy, but its
principal purpose is the regulation of rail-
road fr light transportation on lines passing
through two or more States. By its pro-
visions pooling, rebates, Determinations in
favor OF long hauls, etc, are prohibit d under
severe penalties. By an amendment put on
in the House passenger rates on inter-S ate
lines are also limited, and discrimination:
amongst passengers on account of race OF
color are prohibited.
How do you like the measured
well" replied The General, ..the bill is
an old one, and not SO popular as it ouce
was | think Determinations on account OF
color should be siernly forbidden; but as to
the main object of tho original oill many
think the necessity for il has passed, and
that competition of railway companies with
each other, together with due re ,srd for
their own interests, have already corrected
many OF the evils which existed to The in
jury OF producers and will speedily correc,
the rest"
Will the bill probably become law?
al think it will pass the House but fail in
the Senate, for this Congress at least"
Has the election OF Cleve.ani male any
perceptible change in the tone and BEARING OF
the Democrats st Washir gtou?
Yes, it has, was the reply, land In tw"
different ways. II has sober d the better
and mere thoughtful Democrats, who per-
ceive that tie responsibility OF conducting &
he government involves great danger Ia
their party. But the Larger number are
Iubilaur, not TO say insolenr, and, care moth
ing tor the future, think only Of the spOls
which they expect themselves and their
friends will soon enjoy"
Practically, what do you think will be
Clerelan.'s course in regard TO the ,fiice.?
al think he will sub nit, soon or la'e, to par
ty pr sSure, and sci upon the old Democratic
'octrine, that to the vIctors btlong the spOils
| may add that | do not even believe that The
Republican civil service law of January l6,
1883, will remsin long in torce. II it is not
repeale |, as il probably can not be on ac-
count of the Senate. it will at lesst be wholly
snnuiled by failure 10 appropriate money
to keep up The commission This mode OF
getting rid Of the law has already been pro-
posed in the House"
And now permit me TO ask, in closing, a
purely personal question. What do you eX-
pect to do at the close of your congressional
termP
81 shall return to Springfield and resume
the practice OF the law"