Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-01

self.
CINCINNATI, February 28.-The follow
ing is from John G. Eckel, assistant city
editor of the Chicago Times, and formerly
with the Associated Press. 1t is reply to
Governor Foraker's recent letter to Murat
Halstead, editor of the Cincinnati CONNER
cidl- Gazette, and is as follows:
Governor Foraker's letter to Editor M. Hal
stead, printed in many papers throughout the
country February q, has been read by me and
its contents carefully digested. Coming from
so high dignitary in the affairs of the State of
Ohio my surprise cannot be expressed in
more befitting manner than to characterize the
letter and its entirety as very curious docu-
ment Beginning with the statement that he
never had any formal interview with anybody
at Chicago he reviews the then existing con-
dition of things and in doing so bears out what
I telegraphed in my interview of June %.
Just what the Governor means by formal
interview upon great public occasions would be
of considerable interest to the entire newspaper
fraternity. Upon the evening referred to sent
my card giving my name and business to his
room. was thereupon invited by him to call.
Informing him at once what desired to know,
and began his talk as reported it to the coun-
try. That was formal enough for me and
thought formal enough for any newspaper
man.
HIS SECRETS KEPT.
That which he asked me not to publish did
not publish. kept faith with him throughout
until his attacks upon the truthfulness of the
interview not alone in Ohio from the rostrum.
but also in a Chicago newspaper. Governor
Foraker is very badly mistaken when he uses
this language: "The statement that I denied
it is not true. l never referred to it, and, in
fact, never thought of it from that moment
until now, when it has been reproduced"
On Monday-the day on which General Har-
rison was nominated-there appeared in the
Chicago Tribune my interview reproduced
from some out-of-town paper: and following it
The entire matter was under display head
with this caption: Ibid Governor Foraker
Say It?" The Tribune interview concerning
my dispatch was then given as follows: "Gov-
ernor Foraker was asked last night if he made
the statements contained in the interview"
There is great deal of mlsstatement and ex-
aggeration in it, he replied. The room was
crowded at the time and could answer the
reporters questions only at intervals and
briefly. He has written up in his own language
and not mine. The facts of the situation at the
The delegation had at the beginning requested
me to cast a solid vote for Sherman until such
time as they should demand poll. Before
they should expect to be poIIed before an
nounced Ohio's vote. Under these circum-
stances, told the reporter simply that
BLAINE STAMPEDE
was on the programme; that by the time Ohio
was reached it would be apparent whether the
programme was to be carried out, and that if
the stampede occurred there were Blaine men
in the delegation who would join in the rush.
That was the sum and substance of the inter-
views, the rest is establishment. As to
Mckinley simply said, casually, that did not
know whether he was in business for himself
| yet or not. The interview, however, is of no
importance now, for the reason that the situa-
tion has changed, and Mr.. Sherman,s chances
have greatly improved. Ohio will cast her vote
solid for him and his forces all along the line
will stand firm.
With the understanding that the final issue
| is between Blaine and Sherman, or the man
Sherman shall manner
No. sir; we are looking no further ahead than
| Sherman, and nowhere else. Beside, Mr.. Sher-
man cannot transfer the votes of the Ohio dele
| cation. They are not that kind
In view of statements in his letter Governor
Foraker will find many matters in the Tribu,le's
interview which must now appear alittle incon-
| siste1t How the room could be crowded with
only five persons in it would seem to require an
| explanation. The statement that 4 could
! answer the reporters questions only at inter-
yal yals briefly is also open to comment, for the
| of in one corner of the room together away
| from other persons. There was but one inter
ruption during the entire time, and that was
when gentleman entered who, believe was
| his private secretary.
EASY TO INTERVIEW.
The interview was given without restraint
and it was the easiest one obtained by me dur
| ing the convention. Everything was Blaine at
the time and the Governor was no exception to
the rule of those who wished to lead the process
| sion for the Maine man. Pleading guilty to the
| crushingaccusation that Mr.. Ecke1s' interview
was written by him after he had talked with
| me- submit that the worthy Governor had
| full knowledge of the fact that he had been in
| terviewed. He considered it an interview to
| all intents and purposes.
After had obtained it and was writing up
| was approached by several newspaper men and
| asked to furnish them with the balance of
what 1 had obtained, declined but they all
| answered by saying that Governor Foraker had
refused them any Information for the reason
that he had talked fully to the Associated
Press. But by far the best opportunity enjoyed
| by the Governor to repudiate in its entirety or
| in the minutest detail the interview was when
/ paid him a second visit on the evening follow
| ing. He received me very graciously, and in
others in his reception parlor, he invited me
| into his bedroom. I had heard that he was
| trying tn throw discredit upon the interview,
| from delegate at large of the Ohio delegation,
and called upon him to give him all possible
| opportunity for any correction or denials
Handing him paper l asked him to
| enumerate the errors which may have crept
| in his statement as printed. he mentioned a
minor matter concerning Major Mckinley, and
| ] at once offered to telegraph correction, but
| he insisted that it was too trifing a matter.
| He then told me he was well satisfied with the
| interview. On this same evening he furnished
| I lo.,