Mexico weekly ledger., 1889-05-02
CLEVELAND IN NEW YORK,
Col. Joseph RicKey's Interesting
Chat With the Great Ex-
President.
From the Fulton Gazette


ed that would be of interest to its
readers. In response to the ques-
tion whether he had seen any of
the national Democratic leaders
lately, Mr.. Hickey said. "Well,
yes, recently had the pleasure of
talking with Mr.. Cleveland in
New York City. / got on the ele-
waited railroad car at Rector street,
and found myself in the seat with
the great Democratic ex-president."
How was he looking?
l never saw him look as we'll; he
seemed to be In splendid health
and his face never looked more
bright and cheerful. He still takes
a lively interest in all public affairs.
When l enquired how he was
pleased with the change from the
White House to private life, his
response was: Il am enjoying my
residence in New York and feel
better than l have for four years
past"
What else did you talk about?
Well, naturally our conversation
drifted to public affairs, and he
asked about the condition of the
agricultural portions of Missouri.
l told HIM l thought it was as bad
as it had ever been in the history
of the State; that the farmer was
not getting as much tor his pro-
ducts as they cost, in scarcely any
branch of farming industry; and
that in my opinion the majority of
the farms of the country are mort
gagged and the farmers are now
living off what they had accumulat-
ed in the few prosperous years
they had been permitted to enjoy.
Mr.. Cleveland said this was in
accord with his information and be-
lief; and then asked: "What do you
think will be the result? What
will become of the country? What
will be done?"
l answered that the natural Sc
Guence is that we mast get an out
let for cur markets with the differ
ent countries of the world, or come
to square standstill.'
He then asked: "How can an
outlet be secured, do you suppose,
under our present system of restrie-
tive laws?"
l said, SIT can't be done"
His next question was: "How do
you account for the fact that the
great agricultural sections voted so
strongly for the protective theery?"
I told him supposed it was
owing to want of education on this
subject among the farmers of the
great Northwestern States such as
Kansas, Illinois and Nebraska.
Also that the soldier element that
has been pensioned were told that
the Democratic party wanted to re-
duce the tariff, not so much for the
purpose of lowering taxation as to
drain the surplus from the treasury
in order to make difficult the pay
ment of their pensions; and that the
attempt to lower the tariff was a
blow at the Union element. 1t was
very hard to make the average
mind understand what 6 per cent
reduction ia. And when the tax is
indirect, it is hard to make the man
believe that he pays it at all The
Republican orator says, "Don't you
buy cheaper than it cost before?''
and the average mind swallows
that, never considering the material
that is in the article-that it is
shoddy-or that methods of produc-
ton are cheaper than formerly.
Mr.. Cleveland said, "But we
gained votes in the protection dis.
tricts; what do you say to that?''
| said. "They are intelligent on
this question and know that they
need free raw material to compete
in the markets of the world. The
outcome of it all will be that after
while She people will realize that
they have been plundered unnec-
essarlly of five or six hundred mil.
lions a year. and they will rise up
and wipe cut the whole system.
Mr.. Cleveland said nothing but
nodded his head, and then asked
about Senator Vests prospects fol
| reelection. He said: 81 REGARD
him as one of the ablest men il
the Senate. and hope the people
of Missouri will return him" He
also spoke of Senator Cockreii, ans
said: missouri should be proud o
two such able and painstaking Sen
aters."
! He next said. "How is mI
young friend Francis in the gubern
atorIai office 2' ! told him tha
Gov. Francis was an able an,
faithful officer and was giving sat
isfaction TO all.
well, | can't understand, ,
said Mr.. Cleveland. "Shy he RAJ
behind his ticket"
/ / answered that il was the re
suit OF reasons: first, when Frsrci
was chosen Mayor, his opponent
raised some question as To his elec
tion, and asked for a recount, bu