Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-01-15
A CHAT WITH CLEVELAND.

Senators Regarding the Rejection Of HIS
Appo!ntments-The Financial Question
the Most Important One Before Con-
gress-IIe Thinks His Recent Letter" on
Newspaper Misrepresentation Was War
ranted by Facts.
New York, Dec. 1.-THE Wor.A' prints the
following special from Washington: Upon
the eve OF Congress meeting again there
have been circulated many reports con-
corning the Presidents attitude. 1t has
been said that ne was looki.g for
ward to the winter with great
anxiety. Other stories have credited him
with seeking interviews with Republican
Senators, in order to find out how
much of II fight was going to be made on
his nominations. Other similar stories re-
gardipg the Presidents position toward
Congress have been put i'll general
circulation. Saturday afternoon the
World correspondent called upon President
Cleveland for the purpose OF asking
him directly about his personal posi-
ton, and to determine, if possible from first
hands, the truth or falsitv OF the stories al
luded to. During the extended conversa-
ton which followed he talked frankly and
freely. He showed in nothing he said the
remotcst shade OF anxiety or nervousness
about the future work of Congress. The
President denied that he had held inter-
views with Senators on the subject OF his
appointments. The matter, he said, might
have been talked Of by him with some of
his callers, but only as IL casual topic.
While he, of course, took an interest in the
confirmation or rejection OF his a%ppointees,
still he felt no undue anxiety on the sub
ject.
Then the President picked up a bound
copy OF his message, saying:
81 made a great point in this paper OF
defining my duties as they relate to Con-
! gress, as clearly and distinctly as possible.
l deemed this definition of the duties of the
Executive SO important that it was placed
almost at the very beginning OF the mes
sage. That portion Of my messagellas APP
| parently attracted but little attention. l
nave seen no a~llusion to it anywhere, and
yet l regard it as one OF the most impor.
tant passages in the message"
The President read from the message
clearly and distinctly the following:
At the threshold OF a compliance with these
constitutional directions it is we'll for us to
bear III mind that our usefulness to the PEG.
pies interests will be promoted by II constant
eral legislation. While the Executive may
recommend such measures rs he shall
legislative action must and should rest
upon those selected by the people to
make their laws, Contemplation Of the grave
spective branches OF the Government under
the constitution will disclose the partitions of
power between our respective departments
and their necessary independence, and also
the need for the exercise of all the power in.
trusted to each in that spirit OF county and co.
operation which is essential to the proper full
filment OF the patriotic obligations which rest
upon us rs faithful servants of the people.
After he lac finished reading the Presi-
dent settled back in his chair, and with a
look OF eamestness which approached So
lemnitv, he said: II believe this is an execu-
tive Office, and / deem it important that
the country should be reminded OF it. I
have certain executive duties to perform.
When that is done my responsibilities end.
The office is one of the coordinate branches
OF the Government. The Senators and
members have their duties and their re.
sponsibilities. They put their hands upon
the Bible III take the same oath of obliga-
tion upon assuming office as does the Presi-
dent"
The President then continuing said that
when he had made his recommendations to
Congress, or had sent appointments to the
Senate, the responsibility then was shifted
to the other end OF the avenue. The Presi-
dent regards the financial question as the
most important before Congress, although
he does not by any means underrate the
Importance OF the tariff question.
Continuing, he said: 81 believe the bust
hess OF the country is now, to Il large ex-
tent, in IL condition of uncertainty, owing
to the doubt as to what will be done with
silver. | wrote upon that subject to the
best OF my ability in my message. lido not
see how even the extreme advocates OF the
use OF silver can ask to have the coinage
continued while SO much remains idle, and
there seems to benz scarcity OF currency.'
Adverting to the subject of the Senate
and the consideration by that body of his
appointments, the President said:
II have made no hasty selection of
officers, but on the contrary have given
very murh time and investigation to the
subject, approaching that very much de-
Ponds on the personnel OF the Government.
POSSIBLY l may have erred in some instances,
butlam sure they are few, and l have every
evidence that the country is satisfied with
the new officials. L have no knowledge as
to what course the Senate will pursue, but
L nave no idea that it will assume to inter.
fere with the prerogatives of the President.
have my duties; it has it's. One thing I
40 no believe, and that is that the United
States Senate will spend it's time in listen
ing to the petty criticisms OF appointees
which come from disappointed applicants
for office"
The President was asked whether the let
ter he wrote to MI. Keppler, the, editor of
Pack, was intended for publication. He
said: II wrote no letter which NAV not be
published. There was no understanding
about the letter to Mr.. Keppler, either that
it should or should not be published. Lex
pressed my opinion upon the subject OF GER
tain newspaper publications. l have no
desire to modify or defend these opinions"
He then went on to say thathe had been.
perhaps, influenced to say what he had by
persistent and continued misrepresenta.
ions. ''These Misrepresentation" said
ne, 'are gratuitous and needless. NV
Private Secretary, Colonel Lamont, is an
old newspaper man. He has full liberty to
give to all newspaper correspondents
every possible advantage in the way of in
formation. If there ever was an Admins.
tratloh that had nc secrets this is one. I
want the business OF this Administration
TO be done behind glass doors. There is no
reason why any newspaper should be with.
out correct Information regarding what we
are doing if it will only take the trouble to
send and ask"
The President is a great stickler for sys.
TEN in his methods OF transactinc business.
Everything is one at an appointed hour.
Those who come in conflict with the duties