The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-05-11

round, full-fcatured face was smooth
shaver. dropping mustache hid
'full-lipped, pleasure-loving mouth His
eyes were very large and full. He had a
most musical voice and the liccncst ap-
probation of fun. When l came into
his Office that morning he was moving
up and down the room, with black
SLOUGH hat pulled down over his laugh
ing gray eyes. lie gave u chuclllc as
came in and said: "NIr. Crawford, l dc
not believe that you would ever guess
why | have sent for YOU" Then he
thanked me for coming SO promptly,
and added Fundamentally: IL wish
to he interviewed"
Nothing that he could have said would
have surprised me more. In Mr. Car
penters entire career in Washington he
never had figured in an interview OK
ccpt in the brief and picturesque para
graph occasionally given by venture.
some correspondent in his report of Mr.
Carpenters fcrocious refusals to submit
to a newspaper interview and thereby
dropping Il phrase or two indicating his
hatred and contempt for all newspa-
pers.
Mr.. Coleman here came in and made
n further explanation in behalf of the
senator. He said that the senator
wished TO become q candidate again for
the United States senate, and that he
would like to be asked some questions
as would bring out his views upon all
the existing issues of that time Mr..
Carpenter also expressed Il desire to
have the matter taken down by me in
brief notes, then written out after
wards and submitted to him for re-
vision. OF course, was delighted with
the opportunity of publishing so impor-
tant an interview from so distinguished
a public man. This pleasure was height
ened by the fact that it was his first in
tcrvicw and. still further, that it was
sought by him.
do not propose to give in detail the
developments of this wonderful inter
view. Mr. Carpenter from the first
treated me with the absolute confidence
of n tried and true friend. II had pub
lishcd the interview as it actually oc-
Cured it would have made him the
laughing stock of the country, and rs
there is no more effective weapon than
ridicule he would have undoubtedly
been defeated in his senatorial ambi-
tons. TO show the correctness of this
ii is sufficient to indicate the real char
actcr of the talk Mr.. Carpenter was
profoundly cynical and constantly con-
suited with his partner as the shrewd
politician who knew the special wants
of the aching hearts of the Wisconsin
constituency. Mr.. Carpenter would be
asked Il leading question relating to
some one of the grave issues of the day
and he would reply copiously and clo-
Ullpnflv fbnn hn 1cnrl1 ,l,-u h,,+
off the flow of cloqucncc and ask me n
question: GLOW does that strike
you?" OF course always declined
to express an opinion. This refusal
always irritnted the senator. per
haps you think that opinion wouldn't
go. Then how would this go?" The
senator would NOW turn about, anG
with that intellectual dcxterity for
which lie was noted. present upon the
instant another chain of reasoning
based altogether upon Il different line
of view. This second opinion would be
expressed with such candor and such
simplicity to appear to be the real
heartfelt conviction of the candidate.
But then he would always turn to his
partner for his opinion. Coleman, do
you think that will go?" If Coleman
'siiu -NNo- tiit WIS allowed
to stand. If Colcmans expression indi-
Gated even doubt, the senator would
right-about-face and present another
opinion. Some of the questions called
out ut least half a dozen wholly differ
ent answers They were nearly all
taken down. Mr.. Carpenter would say:
IL don't wish to trouble you. but if You
will kindly write ont those gems of
thought l will later on select the par
ticular pearls with which I desire to
adorn my discourse"
The most amusing part of the inter
view was when the financial question
was reached. 1t was before the green
back theory had fully died out in the
United States. There were number
of grcenback people in Wisconsin at
this time. and, while it was not one of
the leading issues, it was still important
enough to merit consideration in the
interview. And go Mr. Carpenter was
asked to state his views on the financial
question. Mr.. Carpenter was silent for
Il moment. and then he burst out into n
real schoolboy laugh. His amusement
continued for several moments. II con-
slider it" he s;rid, -; great piece of inn
pudence upon the part of man who
is thoroughly incapable of managing
his own finances to venture to express
an opinion upon how public finances
should be managed"
This was particularly true of the SEN
ator He earned great fees but was al-
ways hard up. He appeared to have no
idea OF the value of money, and toward
the last of his life he insured his life for
$4,000. He said: ~ never can save any,
thing however large the fees are which
cNInn int u the ofl;nn md LII L.. L.