The herald., 1896-03-26
CHAUNcEY DEPEW

from all would-be interviewers. He kindly
consented, however, to delay his departure
for Santa Monica ten minutes in order to
give HERALD scribe an opportunity to
interview MIR. Depew.
We are here simply for health and
recreation said the doctor. This is the
first time either Mr.. Vanderbilt or myself
has set foot in California. The opinion
has gained ground in the west that we
New Workers are nothing but q lot of
heartless goldbugs and millionaires and
have no use or sympathy for any part of
our great country, except our own local
environments. We have become so used
to this sort of talk that we have almost
come to the conclusion that it is true and
that there is nothing worth bothering about
outside of New York; but Mr.. Vanderbilt
and made up our minds to break through
the crust OF our eXclusiveness and come
and see this great country which we have
heard so much about and here we are. l
feel certain that we will 60 back to our
work invigorated in body and mind and
with broadened views"
"But how about your business eye, doc
tor? 1t is rumored that your trip is for the
purpose of buying the Central Pacific in
case it is foreclosed?"
Nothing of the kind, my dear sir. We
are not OH the buy at present. Our lines
extend as far west as Salt Lake City, and
we have an excellent traffic arrangement
with the Union and Central Pacific which
gives us satisfactory connection with the
Pacific coast. but for the present we seek
no extension of our system.
II think the proper solution of the Pacific
roads question is some sort of refunding
act that will assure repayment to the gov
ernment the money advanced by 1t to the
roads, and will at the same time allow them
to be operated under private manage
ment as q profit to the stockholders.
do not favor government ownership, as
that means that it will be run by politi-
clans and run badly. Under government
ownership the roads would be operated at
a loss, and congress would have to foot the
bills, which would create dissatisfaction
throughout the east and south. The re.
suit can easily be imagined. Government
ownership is failure wherever tried. In
Germany, where it seemingly is a success,
the freight rates are SO high as would be
ruinous in this country. Not pound of
California fruit would be sent east if rates
relative to those in Germany we're in vogue.
Under the German governmental system,
the fruitful and prosperous west would be
a desert waste.
"Who do think will be the next Re.
publican nominee for president? Gov
ernor Morton, of course. Mckinley I'M
doubtedly will go into the convention with
the most votes, but he will not have a ma
jsrity on first ballot, nor will he gain much
on subsequent ballots. In my opinion
there will be long drawn out contest, and
in the end the convention will compromise
by nominating the man who can carry the
most important doubtful state. That
state unquestionably is New York, and the
man for the occasion is Levi p. Morton"
I'm the event of Morton's failure who ia
most likely to get the nomination."
"There. now. that will do. Morton can
not fail. We New Workers are confident
that he will be the nominee, and that's all
there is of it,"
As Mr.. Vanderbilt was anxious to be off i,
the interview was cut short at this point,
and the special pulled out for Santa Mon.
lea.
The party will return to Los Angeles this
morning, and after viewing the city, will
proceed to Pasadena and Mt. Lowe. They
will also visit San Diego and other South
ern California towns. then go to San Fran
cisco, spending altogether about ten days
in the state.