Arizona republican., 1893-03-18
Hon. Richard W.Thomp-
 son of Indiana,
Hayes Able Secretary
 of the Navy,
Arrives in Phoenix With Mem-
 bers of His Family.
A Man Who During More Than Fifty Years Has Been Prominent In
 National Affairs.

hlCldIu ". tary of the navy during President Hayes administration arrived in the city yesterday morning in his special car, "Vandalia." He was accompanied by his son, Mir. William Thompson and his wife, his daughter, Miss Thompson and his son-in-law Hon. D. W. Henry wife and son. The distinguished party took rooms at the Doris where the ex- secretary was visited yesterday after noon by REPUBLICAN reporter.
 Col. "Dick" Thompson who has held high rank as politician, orator and statesman, for more than fifty years, is person of commanding presence and courtlv manner. His figure is tall and erect his hair is of snowy whiteness though abundant and his eyes gleam with the animation of forty years ago.
 Said Col. Thompson, 'I am here in search of health though 1 am by no means unhealthy. l am suffering slightly from rheumatic affection ac- quired on the night of January second. That night fire broke out in my home at Terre Haute, and was driven to the roof where 1 remained bareheaded until the conflagration was extInguish- ed. The weather was intensely cold and have since suffered from what my physician tells me is rheumatism, though he assures me that there is no organic Arrangement. Our stay will be indefinite and will depend upon the re- lief l experience"
 Speaking further the ex-secretary said that he was greatly pleased with Ari- yona but had been prepared to be pleased by a glowing report furnished by his son who spent a year ago last winter in the city. Should he experience the physical benefit which he confidently expects, he will make Phoenix his winter residence, "for," said he "at iny time of life must care for my health and besides my affairs are now SO ar. ranged that Gm necessarily bound to no particular place."
 The ladies were highly delighted with the luxurious vegetation in so strange contrast with the frozen fields and leaf less branches they left in eastern Indiana five days ago.
 The political views of the ex-secre. tary, coming as they do from man whose acquaintance with the principal
 
 is intimately personal, are particularly interesting.
 He regards Cleveland as an able and conscientious executive who will be likely to give the country good ad- mission. The cabinet he believes to be a particularly strong one. His esti- mate of the presidential family is critical, though fair. Gresham, with whom he has been on terms of intimacy for many years, he said was without a superior as man and jurist, though it is mater of doubt whether life on the bench fits one for the practice of the subtle arts of di. plomaCy.
 Concerning Carlisle, from whom he differed in economic doctrines, and par ticulary in the matter of the tariff, he said much was to be expected from the secretary of the treasury, who, notwith- standing his avowed views was an hon. est man and quick to perceive the needs of the country.
 Col. Thompson's interest naturally centered in the navy department, which, he said. under the skillful d- rection of Mir. Herbert would not be allowed to re ropade. Herbert was peculiarly adapted by: training, for the secretaryship, having long served in the house committee on naval al fairs.
 Of Mir. Bissells capabilty the speak CT was unable to express an opinion as the postmaster-generalis is comparative " new man in public affairs.
 Col, Thompson believed that a polI- tical mistake had been made in the ap- pointment of MT. Gray to the Mexican mission. Of the appointee's worth and capability there could be no doubt. but the appointment would be unlikely 10 popularize the president with a strong faction of the party.
 The silver question the ex-secretary believes is the rock upon which the party will split. The presidents views on one side are SO well defined while those of majority of his party on the other side are no less SO. The selection of the speakers distinguished towns man Senator Vorhees as chairman of the finance committee might be taken as sign of inharmoniorsnes on the financial question.