Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-08-13
VIEWS OF MIR. EDMUNDS
ON THE ADMlNlSTR RATION AND POLL
TICS IN GENERAL.
What lie Thinks of the Democratic Presi-
dent and the Party's Methods He
Charges Lack of Grasp in the
House, and Weak Appointments.
fCOr. n. Y. WOrld.1

has the reputation of being one of the most
unapproachable of public men. He is
very rarely quoted in any newspaper, and
when he is it is generally through the me
dunn of some third person. He does most
OF his talking in the Senate, where, dur
ing the last session, he has has been one
of the most conspicuous figures in the de
bates. found him this afternoon, in the
wide, beautfully-lighted parlor of his
new house. This is one of the most com
Portable houses in Washington. Its inte-
rior is model of simplicity and good taste
The ventilation and the lighting of this
house are perfect. 1t is built on the French
plan, with half story on the first floor
This is used for billiard room, office and
store room. The wood work of the inte-
rior of the house is light pine, which adds
to its bright look. The whole atmosphere
of the place is cheerfulnes. and light The
senator this afternoon sat upon a linen
covered sofa, dressed in suit of dark blue
1annel and chatted as easily and grace
fully upon current topics as if he were a
new member of Congress. There is no.
body in the world so pleasant as a new
member, and hardly any one so unpleas-
ant as an old member when called upon
to discuss public questions.
| asked Mr.. Edmunds what he thought
would be the issues in the coming cam
paign. He said 81 think that the prin-
cipal point to be made by the Republicans
is the incompetency of the Democrats to
administer the affairs Of the government.
The House has done absolutely nothing
of general Importance. The Senate has
sent over to 1t important legislation 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 APP
parently no purpose beyond illustrating
various phases of its business incompe.
tency.
The House is subject to special criti-
cism for its failure to reduce tariff and in
ternal revenue taxation. These taxes
when they were laid were proper and
necessary. The times are changed These
taxes are now to considerable extent a
needless burden, constantly piling up Il
surplus which is continued temptation
to eXtravagant and waSteful legislation
The House has shown its business ncom-
potency in this by failing to devise and
carry through some wise plan for tax re
duction
Then the House only in the last hour
took up the interstate commerce subject
sent to it by the Senate, and by its passing
the Reagan bill practically SAID that moth
ing should be done. Not but what SYM
pathize with Mr.. Reagan and the objects
of his bill | believe in restraining these
corporations as far as can be under the
constitution, but | think the Cullom bill
was better measure and one in the end
best calculated to secure the objects de-
sired by Mr.. Reagan. The passage of the
TWO bills is equivalent TO the defeat of the
proposition to establish government SUI
pervlsOn OF interstate commerce
1t has been said III behalf of the Demo
cratic administration that the party had
been out of power for twenty-five years
Il . hat LOO. 1
OF conducting public business and that
consequently they would be apt to make
mistakes until they could have time to
acquire experience | do not think that
this Is good defense. The president of
the United states was formerly governor
of great State. lie took as three of his
principal advisers veteran public men,
who certainly cannot be excused for any
mistakes on account OF ineXperience The
principal criticism that should pass upon
TINS administration, and the one that Will
be made by the Republicans in the can
Nass, Is the very poor class of men selected
70 fill the federal offices of the country
There are in all communities plenty of
good Democratic material. A that is
required is certain knowledge of men
and little common sense in making its
selections. | said at the outset of Mr.
Cleveland 5 administration that | had no
doubt that he intended TO do exactly right
and to make the very best possible ap-
polntments, but that the Democratic par
~ 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"
THE FEDERAL APPOINTMENTS.
q. And yet it is said that the president
has had smaller percentage of nomina-
lions rejected than any previous presi-
dent ?
A This might be true and vet disproye
nothing which ! have said concerning
these appointments. The Democrats vote
solidly for these appointments as gen
eral thing and ignore everything shown
in the way of unfitness of character,
struggling their shoulders with indifler-
ence or incredulity at all kinds of charges
q. But Their votes are not enough to
confirm.
a. True, but there are certain Republ
cans who believe in the spols idea who
think that the president has the right to
make his own selections and they are will
ling to vote for combinations with theDem-
ocrats leaving the res possibility with the
appointing power. In all of my 20 years
experience in the Senate there has not
been such "A large number of bad appoint.
ments before the Senate for confirmation
as during the last year
q. That is a strong statement
4. You will find that it is borne ont bv
the facts; at least | speak for the two
committees of which | am member, and
| think that the records of the other com
mttees will sustain my statement
q. DO you think that the Republicans
will carry the next House
A doubt it, and am not certain that
i would be an advantage for us to carry
II. The responsibility tor originating leg
lslatiOn there now is with the Democrats,
and If 1t were to be controlled by the Re
publicans under Democratic president
II would not be a satisfactory condition
OF things for us from Il party standpoint
e. What do you think of the future of
the Republican party
A. think it has good future.
q. DO you think that it will be a har-
monious party in lSSS, and that you will
have good chance for electing a Repub-
lican president then?
a. II depends upon who is nominated.
If the Republicans 20 to the West and
select some good, clean, upright man,
with an honest record upon financial
questions, man who is above reproach.
the chances for the Ram hlicauS al.ctin,,