Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-04
CLEVELAND SPEAKS.
The President Interviewed by a Cores.
pondent of the World-He Thinks
the Business of the Country in a Con.
dItIon OF Uncertainty. Owing to the
Silver Question.
NEW YORK, Jan. 5.

New YORK, Jan. 3.
The World, tomorrow, will print the fol-
lowing dispatch dated Washington, today;
| Upon the eve of Congress meeting again
there has been circulated many reports con-
corning the Presidents attitude. Ii has been
said that he was locking forward to the winter
with great anxiety. Other stories have been
credited him with seeking interviews with
republican senators IN order to find out how
much of fight was going TO be made on his
nominations. Other similar stories regard
ing the Presidents position towards Congress
have been put in general circulation. Yes
terday afternoon the World correspondent
called upon President Cleveland for the pur-
pose of asking him directly about his personal
position and to determine, if possible, from
| first hands the truth or falsity of the stories
alluded TO. The President talked frankly
and freely. He showed in nothing, he said.
| the remotest shade of anxiety or nervous
ness about the future work of Congress.
He was asked, us it true, Mr.. President,
that you have sought interviews with repub-
lican senators for the purpose of talking over
with them what is to be done with your ap-
pointments!"
"No, there is not word of truth in it,"
Have you talked with senators of either
party upon the subject?"
Il may have mentioned this subject cas-
uslly to some of my callers, but only as a
casual topic Of conversation. OF course il is
natural | take an interest in the confirmation
or rejection of the men have selected dur
ing the vacation, but feel no undue anxiety
on the subject"
In referring to his actual position the Pres
ident called attention to his message in which
he clearly defines his executive functions and
in binh ba uruo5 or ba ih,iity fnr
legislation of any nature must rest with
Congress.
The President regards the financial ques-
ton as the most important before Congress,
although he does not by any means under
rate the Importance of the tariff question. He
said, Il believe the business of the country is
now to a large extent in condition of uncer-
tainty, owing to the doubt as to what will be
done with silver. l wrote upon that subject
to the best of my ability in my message. |
do not see how even the extreme advocates
of the use of silver can ask to have the COIN
age continued while so much remains idle
and there seems to be no scarcity of cur
rency."
The President was asked how he regarded
Senator Beck's speech upon the tariff. He
replied:
"My own personal ideas about that is that
the only practical way to pass the bill would
be to have the House committee charged with
this work to take up the subject in business
fashion and modify per cent law in such a
way as to help poor people who labor and to
take the needless protection from few who
have grown rich at the expense of many.
There is many incongruities in the tariff
which could be remedied by looking at the
whole system from business standpoint"
Returning to the subject of the Senate and
the consideration by that body of his appoint
ments, the President said
II have made no hasty selections of officers
but on the contrary have given very much
time and investigation to the subject appre-
ciating thst very much depends on the per-
sonel of the government. Possibly l may
have erred in some instances but | am sure
they are few and | have every evidence that
the country is satisfied with the new officials.
| have no knowledge as to what course the
Senate will pursue, but have no idea it will
assume to interfere with the prerogaton of
the President. have nv duties, it has its
One thing do not believe and that is that
the Senate will spend its time in listening to
petty criticisms of appointees which come
from disappointed applicant. for office
Referring to the misrepresentation of him
self in certain newspapers, the President
said:
my private secretary, Col. Lamont, is an
old newspaper man. He has full liberty to
give to all newspaper correspondents every
possible advantage in the way of information.
If there ever was an administration that has
no secrets this is one. l want the business of
this administration to be done behind glass
doors"