Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-14
CALLED ON GROVER.
COLONEL CHILD TELLS ABOUT HIS
,yrrRvlEw WITH THE PRESIDENT.
81. SIM Lives In Richmond But Not In
yitesnis-son,ething About Ills Lire
In siam While Minister There.

Colonel J. 4. Child, a former NirRlnian'
- uas Minister TO Siam during Dir.
C,oveland's first administration. is visiting
80 This city. He is the guest OF Mr. r. H.
putler. No. 24O6 Clay street, and Will re-
AN in Richmond for several days.
Colonel Child is a brother OF the late
lcsse Child. who was for many years q
rr,minent druggist here. He was a print
bv trade and worked on the old Wig
a,fo,e the war. He was the frat compost
vho over handled q newspaper tele-
c,sm s.nt 70 this city. The message which
bc sol up was the copy which told OF
lilo expulsion OF Louis PhiLhppe rom
.rance' In 1856 he went West, md. after
srep1inc o few months IN Kansas, settled
~ Eicbmond. No. where he has since re-
.,8ed During the war he was a lieutenant
colonel in a Union regiment. and after the
location OF hOsiilities he established q
rrwSpaper. and since that time, except
rher absent from the country, has always
hon engaged IN journalistic enterprises.
Ho has also held many public offices IN
Ijehmond. Mo. and represented ms peo-
ne n the General Assembly.
PLEASANT TO TALK TO.
II hear the distinguished Democrat
,srR l. indeed q pleasure. for he ~ q
orormioc convorsationalist and can dis
,-ss any subject. He was visited last
r.rlt bv Il representative OF the pIsPATcH
ana asked e talk about Siam and politics
generally. When the reporter was ushered
:, fo Enc presence OF the Colonel ne saw
jef,re him a most pleasant-looking gentle
,.ao surrounded bv n cluster Of children.
yIn called him Uncle Joke The name
, su,ts him. too, Tor he is genial. fat.
-9-r. hearty. and kind. In fact. there
about his bearing n something
f.st is unmist.kably attractive and
~l.tipruished. Uncle JOKE (when-
r.r talk with him half an hour YOU can
hardly refrain from addressing HIM thus)
--.etcl the ucw-gathcrer most cordially,
.ri nr beng told that he was 20 be " in
..r,iew,d" be was perfectly calm. FOR.
la all modest. courteous men who de-
-ryc the notice Of the press. he knew
.i4t "A maftcr-of-faCt conversation was All
tH.. would be required.
fho Colonel. IN q general chat, wisely
r,rrcsscd the Wow that II newspapers
.} more attention to their typography
rI the paper they were printed on the
..aracsrs would achieve greater financial
-r.reSs. He then commenced discussing
politics.
AN INTrRvIyw WITH GROVER.
OF understand tha' YOU wish to secure
-i. appointment 4 Minister 10 Siam
s-a'n.' said the reporter. and that you
rrrerfly had an interview about this mat
.e~ with President Cleveland. Can you
r,l ue what passed between you
Nrll." said the genial old gentleman.
rm not exactly seeking the place.
...u-h I will take fl # | can get IT.. was
r-r.iuerd to the President as the OK
Minister TO Siam. who was anxious to be
DO. armed. when / heard this remark from
.D. rtntlernnu who presented me 10 Gro
VIZ I.a'l: \ beg your pardon, Mr.. Presl-
rlat. simply called 20 pay my respects
r- .tru. have been Minister to sam
..l understand the Asiastics very well. II
SON wan me again YOU cap send Tor me,
.r4 wild he glad 30 serve YOU When |
boz. ready 90 60 the President shook my
band mos. cordially and SAID Colonel,
v.Y are exactly right about what YOU
slid.' .,
NO. em not counting on the place
continued She Colonel, and am not seek
Ire II. The dlt:.s oftbe ministry are very
difficult. a.it is quite hard TO learn the
manners ard customs Of the natives. |
,l,uk / am thoroughly familiar with
EVERYTHING IN SIAM and well qualified to
r.gre-cut my country. while others, not
having had the same opportunities, might
rlE. % failure of It. Moreover, | hear
tist Cleveland IS not going 70 reappolnt
tor.ous who held positions during his
ff-f Him. nlStTatlOn, ana 1 don MINK ne
r- cong altogether wrong IN the matter.
either. for the other people ought to have
achauce, too.
Is that rumor really c%orrectF - asked
tEc reporter. Yes. don't think there Is
lry doubt about it." replied the colonel
Re didn't tell me SO himself, but / have
sen a number Of persons who heard him
.y
LIrE ~ SIAM.
colonel Child. during his stay IN Siam,
WIS stationed ~ BANGKOK. q city OF $50, 900
1-tabltants. when be first went TO his
t. Of duty he travelled by way of San
lnncisro. Honolulu. and Japan, and when
f. returned TO America on a visit he came
f.e. "a Europe and the Atlantic Ocean.
Thus 10 will 10 seen that be has travelled
sI around the world. He Is thoroughly
arIuainted with the Siamese who belong
o. tha MALAY race and wa a great favorite
r-'h the Ming, who showed him many
fsr.rs. .,
colonel Child has Just published a book
.il;Ial THE Pearl IL ASA, which gives
a splendid description OF the beautiful
country in which he sclOurned while
~ent.ng the United States as Minis
,~. As % writer ne IS equally as entertain
.u. o. in bis private conversations. HIS
ST and humor make him the most de-
u.Lttul company,