The Washington bee., 1892-06-04
PRESIDENT HARRISON SPEAKS.
Important Interview on the PoIitIca
Situation,


Important Interview on the Political
Situation.
WASHINGTON, May %, 1S02.-The re-
cent developments in the political situa
ton, especially with reference to the ac
tion of the coming Minneapolis conven
ton, moved President Harrison to de
clare his position in an interview. II.
said:
II am too well acquainted with IT,,
meaning of the Office of President of tn
United States not to understand the i'm
| portance of the work to be done at Min
neapolis. For myself am not, to use 4.
homely expression, young robin with {
widely open mouth, ready to catch every
thing that comes. l have spent more
than three very active years in the dis
charge of my public duties, during which
period of time | have acted conscien.
tiously and solely out of regard for nv
conception of the exigencies of the pub.
lie service.
u have made appointments as nearly
rs l could in accordance with my views
of what was fitting. Of course, there
have been disappointments. The task OF
filling public offices is so arduOus that il
can really be understood in entirety by
only the one on whom the responsibility
rests. Disappointments sometimes CAUSE
discomfort, and discomfort may manifest
itself openly. l do not believe that indi.
vidual disappointments will control the
convention at Minneapolis. Were l dis.
posed to explain how many of these dis
appointments, and the subsequent dis.
content, have occurred, the narrative
would be interesting; yes, very inter.
csting.
"Of course 1 deeply regret that ndi.
vidual disappointments have occurred,
but l suppose that such are inevitable.
do not hesitate to say that certain
things have happened that l feel deeply,
especially when any one has belittled
some of the great public measures that
have been carried out, or tried to place
the credit upon others.
II think, aside from political consid.
erations, the members of the opposition
party here are very we'll cOntented with
the administration of the executive de.
partment. In foreign affairs have fire.
quently called on Democrats for counsel.
/ have availed myself of the opinions of
such men as Senator Morgan and Mr..
Blount, of Georgia, and others. That is,
have endeavOred to treat business sub,
jects from business standpoint.
In response to question as to whether
he would announce his candidacy for re.
election the President said:
II have never announced myself
candidate and do not now. did not ir
1888, on the occasOn of the Chicago con.
ventiOn. The convention at DIinneapo.
lis will assemble and take its own action.
l am aware that l have been criticised
for not calling on my friends and others
for their support, but have been disn.
clined to do so, and my feelings have un.
dergone no change. My public and pri,
vate records are known to the people
and whatever they wish will be mani
tested at Minneapolis. If the people
having in consideration the manner il.
which have conducted the Presidency.
desire me, presume they will signify
their wishes Meanwhile l have not,
neither will l, proclaim my candidacy.
There is an aphorisn, you know" said
the President, smiling, that the Office
should seek the man, and not the mar
seek the Office.