The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-06-30
ColOred Men Deny that the President
Spoke Disparagingly Of Their Race.
The Coming Month Expected to Be Prolific of
Many Changes in Federal Positions Through
out the COuntry-COnsuls Appointed.
PRESIDENTIAL WORRIES.

Hon. Chauncey M. Depew's Account of His
Interview with General Harrison.
NEW YORK, June 29.-The Sun this morn
ing prints long interview with Mr.. De-
pew in regard to his recent trip to Washing
ton. The report, at the start announces
that MIR. Depew ran the interview himself
and paid no attention to the reporters
questions. This is what Mr.. Depew said:
Il don't see how you found out that l
went. / found a telegram from President
Harrison here on my return from New
Haven. did not telegraph for rooms, and
did not tell anybody that was going.
suppose President Harrison wanted to see
me, because there is scarcely anyone of any
prominence in the party who has not been
down there with his opinions and his
demands. The demands, by the way, are
sometimes made with the significant dis
play of the handle of q dirk, but the
President does not care anything for dirks.
i told him some stories that seemed to fit
and also to alleviate the situation. had
very pleasant time, and found the Presi-
dent in perfect health and buoyant spirits.
He has not been worn out and reduced to
state of nervons irritability by the pressure
of Office-seekers and contests with the
members of his Cabinet.
Il found that the President has the idea
very firmly fixed in his mind that he is the
man whom the people elected President.
He feels that however strong the pressure
may be on the part of the leaders in the
party or Representatives, or what demands
may be made, even with the show OF dirk,
or talk of dire consequences if they are lg-
nored, he must, after all Is said, make up
his own mind. He sees that If the appoint
ments should prove bad, if the men should
be incompetent or dishonest, the people
will not go back to the leader or Represen-
tative, or source of the influence which
and responsibility will fall on him. So he
will have no kitchen cabinet. Any two.
three or more men who attempt to assume
to be in control of any line of the Presl-
dents action in this administration
will get hurt. He will not leave them a
spot of ground to stand on. in
wet OF dry weather; but he is far from hav
ing anything like the big-head. He Is open
to suggestions and information from every
body: He seeks to keep nothing IN the
has no differences with his Cabinet officers.
found that he is in perfect accord with
every member of it. He told me himself
of Mr.. Blaine, about whose relations with
the President so much has been said. that
Mr.. Blaine was especially .appreciative of
the difficulties of his chiefs position and
very considerate about pressing the claims
of is friends or his own opinions:
The situation there Is terrible com.
tine tss
OH Offices intent. 1t is very unpleasant
June has been very cool. and / ventured to
say that perhaps their chilly prospects had
affected the weather. 1t was risky re-
in the history of the whole
cants for i5o consulates, and L
believe that this proportion will be main
tanned. if not increased, through all the
departments. The President, the members
of the Cabinet. the heads of bureaus, and
the Representatives are Overrun, and the
public business is almost at a stand-still.
The figures / have given will show how
many must be disappointed. The, whole
moved and replaced all the Office-holders.
and that vacancies can be made every
where. The fact is that he removed only
about one third of the place e-hOlders.
II told the President that rosy expecta-
tions and egotistical anticipatiOns are sell
dem fully realized, and it would be well if
that could be thoroughly understood now
in Washington, for it fits in good many
places. 1 told him that when was travel
ing to New Haven on an accommodation
thought the whole State of Connecticut had
its whole attention fixed on the fact that [
was to make speech to the law-schoOl
graduates at Yale. When a farmer
got on at way station, and, after
LOOKING at me nVe minutes, aSkeu me
if | was not Chauncy Depew, l said to
myself: Here is an intelligent son of an
intelligent State. He is going on to hear
my speech He confirmed my impression
by asking, Are you going up TO New Ha-
venp but when / answered Yes he simply
said. Baseball game, / supposeP
"The President laughed so loudly at this
that he could have been heard down at the
Potomac" said Mr.. Depew, and added re-
fiectively: There was game there that
day. 1t is marvellous what interest the
people do seem to take in baseball
Mr.. Depew returned to the subject of the
scramble for Office by saying: IF a Cabi-
net officer has an Office-seeker so big and
influential that he cannot be frankly told
that he has no chance, he usually takes
him ont for drive through the big Ma
tional Cemetery at Arlington. On his re-
turn the visitor is likely to reflect that he
has seen the only spot where there are more
vacancies than there are applicants"
Mr.. Depewis going to Europe on Wednes-
day On the Adriatic, with his wife and fam
lily. The trip, he says. is entirely for rest
and recreation and no time has been fixed
for his, return. II did not expect to go
across" said he, though | always take q
vacation. / had planned to go to Cal
ifornia and perhaps to Alaska; but the
Western people are so h0spitable that dim
ners, receptions and speeches would be the
rule. Mrs. Depew made up her mind that
this would not be rest for me, and while
was away she engaged passage on the
steamer. did not know anything about
it, but suppose | will have to go"