Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-05-20
Mr.. Rantaafi's Views.

EFFECT OF PRESIDENT CIEvELAND's POLICY ON
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY-HIs SINCERITY AND
HOSESTY-THE MAN TO RENOMINATE TO IN
SURE SUCCESS IN 1888.
Ospat n to the New York Herald.
WASHINGTON, May IS, 1SS5.-Your cores
pondent had to-day a very interesting con ver-
sation with Mr.. Samuel ]. Randall, which, with
his consent, was later written down and is now,
with his permission, sent to the Herald after
his revision.
1t will be observed that Mr. Randall speaks
with entire freedom and frankly ofthe political
situation, of the President and the administra-
ton, and of what, in his judgment, lies in the
future as to parties and politics.
Your correspondent asked, "What do you
think of the new administrations"
Mr.. Randall replied: "In my judgment 1t Is
going on as well as possible, and am certain
that It is making good impression on the peo-
pie. notice some fault-fnding here and there.
but notice al no one pretends to doubt the
sincerity and honesty of the Presidents inten-
tions. When so great a change comes about as
a change Of parties after quarter of a century,
it is impossible but that some minor errors
should be made. But the people do not deal
harshly with public men for small mista kes in
judgment, If only they see them to be honest
and sincerely DESTROYS to serve the general in
terest i don't believe that any one of either
party doubts the Presidents honest and pa
triotic purposes nor his ability and determine
ton to serve not merely his party but the whole
country
''You think we'll of the President, them"
"Yes, and the more see of him and the better
] get to know him the more I perceive the
sturdy honesty OF his mind, the single hearted
conscientiousness with which he acts. Some OF
our men say he moves too slowly. That is true,
but he has an immense work and responsibility
upon him. OF all reforms administrative re-
form is the most difficult. To ascertain where
in the immense government establishment bad
methods prevail and incompetent or unfit per-
sons are employed, and to improve the methods
and substitute faithful and competent men to
do the work, is huge task, for which even a
single presidential term is scarcely adequate.
What has been accomplished in the two months
and a half since the 4th of March is necessarily
only the beginning. The President and the
cabinet have not had time to look closely into
the machinery of the government. They are
at work, and reports from different and numer-
| Gus points and places are coming in and will be
intelIigently acted upon as received. All his
public experience as mayor and governor has
fitted Mr. Cleveland in very especial manner
for his present task"
"You believe, then, that with sufficient time
the President will secure the confidence and
approval of his party and of the people at
large p"
Il believe he has these already: and feel
certain that he will gain more and more en-
tirely their undoubting trust. will go further
and say to you that if he goes on as he has gone,
duty to the public, he will be in the end one of
the most acceptable Presidents we have ever
had. He will, through his success, by the year
1888, as the public administrator of a great
trust, be renominated and reelected, and I am
satisfied that the party can do no better than
faithfully rS stand by him and cooperate with
hardly be completed in a single term. The
country will re-elect him to secure the compile
ton of that work and give it the permanence
which it ought to have for the general good"
do you mean that the true policy of your
party is to give the administration a united
and cordial support with the distinct object of
renOminatlng Mr.. Cleveland in 1857"
'.That is my view ofthe political situation
On general principles it must be plain to any
one that we can more easily reflect Mr.. Cleve-
land than elect a new man. Or, to put this in q
different shape ii we cannot elect Mr.. Cleve-
land. he having accomplished in part or in
whole the reforms desired by the people, then
we cannot elect any one. We must cluster
arotsod him and his administration and thus
keep our party together, strengthen it, and
enable it 10 meet its opponents in 1883 with a
solid front"