Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-08-20
THE AOMlNlST RATION AND THE OUT
OOk

From an Interview in the New York World.
asked Mr.. Edmunds what lie thought
would be the issue in the coming cam
paign. He said: II think that the prin-
cipal point to he made by the Republicans
the incompetency of the Democrats TO
Properly administer the affairs of the
government. The House has done abso-
lutely nothing of Importance. The SEN
ate has sent over to it important leg>la
ton and the House has simply refused to
consider it. Its timidity and lack of
grasp were conspicuous features of its
record. The session has been long drawn
out for apparently no purpose beyond
illustrating various phases of its business
incOmpCtcncV.
"'I'he principal criticism that | should
pass upon this administration. and the
one that will be made by the Republicans
in the canvass, Is the very poor class of
men selected to fill the Federal offices of
the country. There are in all commune
ties plenty of good Democratic material.
All that i required is certain knowl-
edge of men and little common sense in
making its selections. said at the out
set of Mr.. Cleveland'S administration
that | had no doubt that he intended TO
do exactly right and to make the very
best possible appointments. but that the
Democratic party would prove too strong
for him and the pressure would be too
great. | think that this remark, which
did not make at that time for publication
and which reached public print through
third person, has been borne out by the
facts"
q. And yet it is said that the Prcsi-
dent has had a smaller percentage of
Il.
President. \. This might be true and
yet disproye nothing which have said
concerning these appointments. The
meuts a. general thing and ignore
everything shown in the way of untitness
of character, Smuggling their shoulders
with Indifference or incrcdulity at all
kinds of charges.
q. But their votes are not enough to
contirm.-A. True. but there are certain
Republicans who believe in the spuilS
idea who think that the President has the
right to make his own selections. and
they are willing To vote for the contirma-
tionS with the Democrats, leaving the
responsibility with the appointing power.
z. DO you think that the Republicans
will carry the next House "A. | doubt
ii. and | am not certain that it would be
an advantage for us to carry il. The re
>ponsibility for originating legislation
there now is with the Democrats, and if
/ it We're to be controlled by the Republi-
cans under "A Democratic President il
would not be a satisfactory condition of
things for us from party standpoint.
q. DO you think the Republicans will
be "a harmonious party in lSSS, and will
have a good chance for electing Repub-
lican President then:-A 1t depends
upon who is nominated II the Il 'puhli-
cans 90 to the West and select some good.
clean, upright man, with an honest rec
ord upon financial questions, Il man who
/ is above reproach, the chances for the
| Republicans electing their candidate will
| be, | should say, seven out of ten.
| The Senator then Went on to say, aS he
Stroked his beard thoughlfully: The
/ Democrats have certain advantage in a
| Presidential campaign which cannot he
/ overlooked. They have a solid South,
obtained as we Republicans believe, by
/ intimidation and gross frauds. There are
few Outrages of violence now, yet We
/ believe il certain that the ballot in the
South is not free, and that will be one of
the coming issues upon which the Re
publican party will make its tight-a free
J ballot and an honest count. The Demo
cratic party, ~ the situation now stands.
can command in amy emergency and IN
the light of any circumstances the entire