The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-03-18

How the Executive Received the
Criticism aad Advice Of a Party
Critic.

WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE truth as to the
recent interview between the President and Sen
ator Eustis has not yet been published. On
Wednesday afternoon last correspondent who
is known TO be a warm personal friend of Sena-
tor Eustis called at the Executive Mansion and
was admitted to the Presidents study. In the
conversation that ensued, and which related
chiefly to the controversy between the President
and the Senate and to the Presidents message
which had just been sent in, reference was made
to comment upon The matter by Senator Eustis
The reference was purely accidental. 1t had
not been provoked by anything the President
said, nor was it made with any idea OF leading
up to the result which ensued. Ii ELECTED from
the President these words:
"Why does not Senator Eustis come to see
me? have not the slightest i'll will against
him. nor can Isuppose that he has any against me.
MY duties here take me out of SELF They leave
me no time, even had the inclination, TO har-
Dor personal resentments. am trying to give
the people clean and honest and able govern
ment, and to this end want the cooperation OF
clean and able and honest Democrats You may
tell Senator Eustis shall be glad 10 see and con-
fer with him. and hear his views"
When Senator Eustis was informed of this, he
promptly declared his desire to call upon the
President; and, on Friday evening, accompa-
MED by the correspondent, he went to the White
House, where he was cordially received by the
President
The conversation between them lasted about
an hour, and was perfectly frank and earnest on
both sides. Senator Eustis gave his views as TO
the situation with reference TO the Senate, and
explained at length his idea of its real purport.
He told the President that, in bis opinion, the
Republican Senators were using the controversy
TO rvet the attention OF the people so as to secure
the fullest possible audience for certain dsclOs-
ures they hoped to bring about rejecting upon
the character of some of his nominees, and that
f1,auv nj q
the papers they had asked him to produce. He
said it would be fatally unfortunate if the Re-
publcans should be able TO establish serious
charges against any considerable number of the
Presidents appointees.
The President quietly said: If it be true
they will be rejected 1t Is the Senates function
to do this. The Senators are my cOadjutors and
advisors; they cannot be too exacting for my
taste. want no improper men in office"
Every true" responded Eustis. If the mat
ter ended with the rejection of the bad men and
staction all round. Nobody imagines that you
desire any other contamination, but, Mr.. Presi-
dent do you not see the political aspect of this
matter and its bearing upon the administration
and the party The lesson the Republican
Senators will seek to teach is no: that
of your acquescence in the rejection OF
bad man, but that of your having ap-
pointed these bad men in the first place. They
will make the point that your administration
has been unequal to its responsibilities that 1t is
under reckless or vicious influences, and in sup
port of this will bring forward the list of defeated
nominees with the charges made and sustained
| against their competency and fitness, and then
ask the country to remember that but for the Re.
publican Senate's intervention these men would
have been holding office under Democratic adj
| ministration."
The President nodded but said nothing.
at is not question" continued Mr.. Eustis,
| of whether you knowingly appointed bad men,
or will approve or disapprove of their rejection.
| No intelligent observer of political events be-
| lievcs or can be made to believe, the slightest
charge against the perfect integrity OF your mo-
tives. The question is whether the Democratic
party can afford to 60 before the people in the
| approaching Congressional election with the re-
cord of having produced so much rejected mate
rial"
II do not see how that is to be prevented
| now"
1.-THE record can be forestalled. The names of
appOintees as to whose fitness there is any doubt
can be Withdrawn Every man whose presence
| In the government Is a source OF criticism and
suspicion can be eliminated"
would you do that?"
II would from the highest TO the lowest /
would lop off every branch threatening the health
and vitality of the Democrats"
At the close of the conversation the President
shook hands warmly with Senator Eustls and
thanked him for the candor with which he had
spoken. They parted good friends, each evi.
IDENTIFY convinced of the others purity OF motive