Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-04-19
INTER- INTERVIEW.
Congressman Hayes Talks to Re
.. porter.
His Views OF GrOVer CIeveIand---A
Model President---The Eice Presi-
dency---The tariff aud the heDne-
pin Canal


export a short visit yesterday and sub
mitted to an interview at the hands of
Democrat Gdzette reporter. When aske(
as to his views of Pre- sident Cleveland
form ID from his business and social in
tercourse with him, Congressman Haye
replied:
II regard him rs does every man
have heard speak of him after meeting him
very much more favorably than anticipa
ted. That he is a great man is beyond
question. and the talk to the contrary.
once commonly INDUCED in, is no more
heard. He is recognized as the equal OF
any and the superior of most of his pre-
decessOrs. and this recognition is fully as
general among republicans as democrats
| heard one of Iowa's most prominent re-
publcans say lately that the president is
great man aud the greatest of demo-
cratic presidents. This gives an idea of
republican sentiment. 1t could not be
expected that they would place any dem>
ocratic president ahead. II equal to Lin>
coin and Grant. but to place him on IA
plane with Jefferson and Jackson is
praise enough to come from political
doubtless been in his favor, but he is not
simply result of them. He has had the
genius to mould them to his ends, aud
only a master mind could do this sue
cessfully for any length of time and as he
has done"
us it not taken for granted by the
members of the presidents party in
Washington that he will be renominated
by reclamation at st. Louis?'
Most certainly. l have never yet
heard a democrat at Washington express
any other desire or thought. No other
name will be mentioned in the cOnven.
ton"
"As a presidential candidate is he like.
ly TO prove stronger in 1888 than he did
in 1SS42'
"Hc will be vastly stronger and for
many and obvious reasons. In no direC>
ton has he or the party lost, while both
have gained. All the old campaign
roorbaCks of the G. o. p. have had their
day and are now only used by few.
The idea that the democratic party is
either dangerous or incapable of the gov
eminent of the country, is demoHstrat-
ed falsehood, and for the first time
in years national contest is GO
ing to be settled on the merits
of living issues, and on these
issues there can he no doubt of the re-
suit The democratic party is in power
with all that it implies, and added to this
advantage Is right on all great questions,
and represents those principles upon
which our prosperity has been built and
upon which the perpetuity of our insttu-
tons depends. 1t is now as it has
been from the beginning of con-
sutulional government, one party repre-
sen;ng the interests of the people, and
the other monarChial and paternal in its
tendencies. Today the democratic party
represents the people and will be sus-
tained by them. The republican party is
essentially high protective tariff party,
and took advantage of the war and its
incidents to fasten ali infamous system of
robbery upon the country that benefits |
only favored few at the expense of the |
many, and is attic mpting to make it per- |
petual, but as it is discussed and comes |
to be understood will be repudated The |
farmers and laboring men, upon whom it |
bears most heavily, comprise the great |
ma ority of the voters, and the intelligent |
portions of each of these classes will vote |
TO free themselves. This will he the great |
issue of the campaign, and Cleveland |
the democratic idea in a more |
than has ever any other |
candidate represented the issue voted |
upon. The marked tendency of the re-
publican party toward paternalism-tO-
ward the capitalists and corporations as
against the masses and toward the break
ing down of the barriers of personal Lbs
erty-is also going to aid the democracy.
Prohibition and blue laws may have tenn
porary successes, but will never become
established principles in this country so
ong as it remains republic"
What do you consider the most popu-
ar features of Mr.. Ceveland's admins
ration2"
ut may be said that every feature of it
las been popular. He has impressed his
upon his admins ration in a
marked degree and it has been satsfac
DRY to all interests, except those that
would find fault upon principle, or rather
perhaps lack of it, He is man of rare
good judgment. sound demo>
ratio principles, unquestioned integ-
ity, and even political honesty. with
wonderful executive ability, and all
he material and business interests
If the country feel safein his hands He
las carried out civil service reform to
ar greater extent than has ever before
'een known, even if not to an ideal de-
,ree, and while it may not be satisfactory
o the professional politicians, it is to the
'eople and is justly popular. This and
lis tariff reform ideas are of course the
most marked features"
"Who in your opinion is likely to be
he nominee for the vice presidency"
There is, think, no very marked pre-
erence at this time The prominent
James mentioned are Villas, Black, Gov.
Tray and Col. Morrison"
What is the outlook for legislation
the tariff tax at this session of
The prospects are more flattering
very day. 1t is now quite generally be-
ieved that the Mills bill, substantially as {
t is, will pass the house, and the plum
erers are extremely fearful that it will
'ass the senate also. My own opinion
= that there are far more republicans in
he house in favor of 1t than democrats
gainst it, but the party lash will be
rought to bear and may be quite effec-
i've, as the leaders on that side are very
otent and there is far less independence
q action, if not in thought than on the l
side. 1t is frequently anus ;
ng to see them bob up or down. as one
lan as they are told"
do you regard the action, or want of
ction, by the house committee on rails $
Dads and canals, as disposing of the 8
Ienne pin project for this term?"
ut is hard to say, No report will be
1ade against it, and perhaps none for it.
t has good many things to contend I