Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-30
ABOUT INTERVIEWS.
Some Distinguished Men Who VIII
Talk for Publication; Others Who Won't

Some Distinguished Men Who VIII
Talk for Publication; Others Who Won't
Frank A. Burr in Septemb,r Lppincott
Until recently Mr.. Blaine has been one OF thu
most difficult men in the country 10 interview,
and even now will only talk FOR publication
with his most intimate friends in the profess
sion, and then almost always insists upon re-
wishing the interview Alexander II. stephens
was equally particular. Time and again while
Mr.. Blaine was engaged in has hardest political
struggles have tried 10 set few words for
my papers upon the results ne had accom-
plshed. i remember that only two wears be.
fore he was beaten for the presidential nomi-
nation in 1850, and then became the Secretary
of State in Garfelds cabinet was a guest Al
his house in Augusta He had Just won one
OF the most bitterly contested state campaigns
IN his political career. L asked him tor a state-
ment OF tine situation, and some little story %
how ne had won the battle. senator Hale was
present at the moment Mr. Blaine turned 70
me quickly, and said. pleasantly:
''Oh, interview Hale. lie can tell YOU all
about IL. 1 do detest being quoted in the news.
papers in the form of an interview"
Two years later, when he was assailed about
his South American policy, one Of the most
important incidents OF has remarkable career,
lie at once sought the form of an interview and
two long ones from HIM were printed in nearly
every newspaper IN the land. He wanted 10
reach the general public. as well as the states
men o. the country, and he acknowledged thar
the only way tosdo II successfully was in a con-
versational form. Since that time he has
always sought the interview when attacked
upon any important matter which he desires
10 answer. No greater tribute could be paid
to the efficiency OF this class Of newspaper
work.
Gen. Grant was the best man TO interview I
ever met. He would only talk to a person
whom he knew well. aud then he could tell
you exactly what you wanted TO know in fewer
words than any man ever made an inquiry OF.
he was very pleasant to new paper men IN
whom he had confidence. but when one came
about whom he did not know or trust YOU
couldn't get a word out Of him with a cTowbar.
He never cared much TO talk for publication
and never did to any extent upon public mat
tiers except TO John Russell Young, who, 10y the
way, Is one OF the ab.vst aud most successful
interyiewers OF any time. lie alone among
scores of daily toilers with the pen OF this day
| is equally able sn editor, correspondent, de-
scrlpuye writer, or Taper OF sap from ali sol 70
OF fountains of Information.
Roscoe Conlllng was the only public man
ever met VINO never would be interviewed for
publication upon any subject whatever. lie
once told me that he would rather have a mad
dog set upon him than TO have a newspaper
man sent after HIM Tor Jsllk. Two or three
times IN his life interviews we're printed with
him, which he never intended should 20 be-
yond the privacy OF has room. and he never
forgave the men who quoted him. He had
one able correspondent discharged from the
HERALD for publishing talk with him which
occurred at the breakfast table anu Mr. Ben
nett directed that he should never again write
for his paper.
David Dayis could not be interviewed. While
he was justice OF the Supreme Court IL would
not have been proper, and after he became q
United States Senator he always believed him.
self to be on the high road TO the presidency,
and was afraid to talk lest he might injure his
chances of getting there. L never approached
him but once, and that for the story OF
bow Lincoln was nominated In 1860. 1 told
him that l had already secured the recollec-
tons OF two of the men who then operated
with him, when he drew himself up and said.
very seriously:
There are only four men who know the his
tory OF Mr.. Lincoins nomination, and any one
OF them would be a fool 10 tell it,"
Charles Sumner was by no means an easy
man TO be led into a talk upon public mstters.
After the passage of the treaty of Washington
4 once interviewed him as to the meaning OF
the damage clause of that instrument. He Was
exceedingly dIgnified, although In his own
apartments, with his dressing gown on. lie
spoke with great elaboration and TO the point.
/ could readily remember everything that be
said-although he was talking upon Q very inn
portant subject
Col. Robert q. Ingerson, like Gen. Gordon
=
journalist likes TO meet for business purposes.
Both are fine takers and say original things.
IL the subject is very important Col Ingersou
will write it out for you while you wait He
does dislike to be misquoted and he says that
interviewers SO often mIss the mark that he
prefers TO do the work himself when he will
talk at all.
John sherman is a difficult man 70 interview,
but he does not seriously object 10 il. In fact,
he is very pleasant with a writer he knows.
But despite has great ability, he not fluent
and it is very hard 10 get from the very best
work with him anything more than O cold
statement OF facts.
Senator Edmunds can never be interviewed
upon any subject. His chum while IN the Sens
ate Senator Thurman, nlcknamed the 'Old
Roman" was very much like nm.
zen. Ben Butler is capital subject for the
interviewer. He likes that form of addressing
the public. He always talks with spirit and
originality. ANY man TO whom he will speak
at all always get good story from HIM
that is full of meat. but he usually wants to re-
wise it before it is printed He is very par
ticular.
Ex-President Cleveland is usuallya good man
10 seek information from He Is quite easy OF
access and does not waste any words in what he
has to say. Ex-Gov. Foster Of Ohio next to
Gen. Grant AZ the most perfect man ever met
for interviewing purposes. de always gets an
a good deal of his personality aud imparts q
zest to his words. Business men, as a rule, ara
rather undesirable customers for the jour-
nalist They are careful about what they say,
and have few entertaining subjects 90 talk
about To a greater or less extent this IL true
of lawyers. EK-Goy. hoadley of Ohio is, how
ever a decided exception 10 the rule.
Senator Ingalls, does not object to talking to
the public second hand, and of all the promi-
nent public men Of the day be undoubtedly
talks the best