The Portland daily press., 1886-01-04
THE PRESIDENTS ATTITUDE /,
An Alleged Interview with New
York World Correspondents.

York World Correspondents.
New YoRK, Jan. 3.The World tomorrow
will print the following despatch:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8.
Upon the eve of Congress meeting again
there have been circulated many reports con-
cerning the Presidents attitude. 1t has
been said that he was looking forward 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 fight was going to be made on
his nominations, and other similar stories
regarding the Presidents position toward
Congress have been put in very general cir
culation. Yesterday afternoon World cor
respondent called on him for the purpose OF
asking him directly about his personal posi-
hands the truth or falsity Of the stories al
luded to. He showed in nothing he said the
remotest shade of anxiety or nervousness
about the future work of Congress.
He was asked: rs it true, Mr. President.
that you have sought interviews with Re-
publican senators for the purpose of talking
over with them what will be done with your
appointments I? ~
'Have you talked with Senators OF either
party on the subject?"
II may have mentioned this subject casu-
ally to some of my callers, but only as a cas-
ual topic Of conversation OF course it is
natural that take an interest in the c0nfir-
nation or rejection of the men | have Sc
lected during 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 defined his executive func-
tions and in which he urged that the respon-
sbility for legislation of any nature must
rest with Congress-
The President regards the financial ques-
tion as the most important before Congress
although he does not by any means underrate
the Importance of the tariff question. He
said: Il believe the business of the country
is now, to large extent in condition of
uncertainty owing to doubt as to what will
be done with silver. wrote upon that sub
iect to the best of my ability in my message,
and do not see how even the extreme adyo-
Gates of the use of silver can ask to have its
coinage 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 speech on the tariff, and he
replied My own personal idea about that is
that the only practical way to pass the bill
would be to have the House committee
charged with this work, take up the subject
in business fashion and modify the present
law in such way as to help the poor people
who labor and to take away needless protec-
ton from the few who have grown rich at
the expense OF many. There are many In
eongrutieS in the tariff which could be rem
edied by looking at the whole system from
business standpoint" Returning to the
subject of the Senate and consideration by
that today of his appointments the President
said:
81 have made no hasty selection OF officers
but on che contrary given very much time
and investigation to the subject appreciating
that very much depends on the personnel of
the government Possibly may have erred
in some instances, but am sure they are
few, and L 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 prerogatlyes of
the President. i have my duties and it has
its duties. One thing | do not believe and
that is that the Senate will spend its time in
listening to pretty criticisms of appointees
which come from disappointed applicants for
office.
Referring to the misrepresentation of him
self in certain newspapers the President
said; "My private secretary, Colonel La
mont is an old'newspaper man and he has
full liberty to give to all newspaper cores
pondents every possible advantage in the
way of information. If there was ever an
administration that has no secrets this is
one. l want the business of this administra-
ton to be done behind glass doors and there
is no reason why any newspaper should be
without correct information regarding what
we are doing if it will only take the trouble
4 lnta Il oSl