New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-21
INTERVIEWING PUBLIC MEN.

Ncw-York Letter IN the st. Louis Globe Democrat
Chauncey NJ. Depew IS of the best men In this
well as one of the most intelligent OF statesmen whose
opinions public questions are presented py the press
Russell sage is a hard man to interview unless no
Is well acquainted with the reporter unaer favor.
able circumstances he talks much and says really very
little. He is extremely sensitive to newspaper crili-
csm. ,. ..-a a., .,,os on
the reporter II possible and interviews him about all
sorts Of questions He has an appearance OF engag
ing frankness. but is willy as BeliaL
George William Curtis always writes out his inter
views does General Butler
Roscoe Conklng would get up at IL or O'CLOCK at
might and talk Willie sitting In his nlghtshirt 10 re
porter whom he knew in his Interesting and mimi
Mayor Hewitt goes of like pack of frecrackers
in a barrel He Is Of the most impulsve OF men,
but generous in his instincts and high minded
voice and slowly, with just touch OF sadness. a
favorite expression is, I" am trying 10 do what Is
idea on his interl0cuor He VIII talk readily to news
paper men whom he finds report him correctly.
Senator Thurman is an easy man 10 Interview. He
talks readily and frankly, seasoning his views occa-
sionally with vigorous explosives lie sits back IN his
leather chair in his cosy library, smoking as he talks
and keeping the red bandanna IN his lap. He enter
the reporters sometimes with interesting rcmin-
iscences of tho old swaow-tai and brass-buon days
The Hon. Levi P. Morton talks readily and is very
courteous IN his
Governor Foraker is locomotive IN trousers, quick,
always ready, afable 10 newspaper men, good taker
Major Mckinley, the Lochnvar Of Ohio politics, who
might have eloped with the Presidential election but
was to chvalfc 10 attempt TO do so, IS very SEN
sible In his attitude toward reporters Your paper
has been very kind me" he will say and hope to
fccIprocaie some time" He talks readily uhti he gets
upon delicate ground. .
Warner Miller, who is likely to be tho Republican
nominee for Governor Of NewYork this fall is hard
man 10 Interview. He is rcticent, meditating, seems
TO be dreaming while the reporter talks TO him, and
answers In a non-cOmmittal manner In low voice;
Tom Patt the shrcwd New York leader, Will not
talk ON Important topics TO strange reporters With
those he knows he cOnvcrses freely. $500
81.
Is very polite and reasonably communicative
William Walter Phelps talks well ard freely IN a
very friendly way, and II the report IS considsrac
and intelligent, he generally sends the writer letter
Of thanks.
Jay Gould VIII talk freely 10 a reporter whom no
knows to be intelligent and Trustworthy The reporter
must understand thoroughly what he wants 10 know
He will got help II he does not undo rtand the sub
jcet about which he seeks information. After an OH
hand conversation the reporter Will, perhaps, II Tho
interview is important matter, sit down In The
fnancers library and write II out IL Is thoD sub
uitted Ar. Gould who may suggest eTasures or alter
sfions In the phraseOIogy He talks freely, at times
almost eoquently, but has a rural habit of dropping
the final g's In participates. Thus, he says goin',