Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-26
PATTISON ON GROVER
FORMER GOVERNOR OF PENNsYI-
vANIA AIRS HIS OPINIONS
People Not Ready for Third Term and
Cleveland Would Make Weak
Candidate.

In an interview yesterday former Gov
ernor Robert E. Pattison of Pennsylvania
talked freely regarding the impossibility
or Grover Cleveland as a presidential cam
didate; the inprobability Of the democracy
winning in 1904 under present conditions:
machine politics. particularly In Pennsyl-
vania: the Pennsylvania press muzzie law
and the influence of the Independent and
party press
In answering the questions propounded
the man who himself has been mentioned
as possibility for the democratic presi-
dental nomination spoke with great DELHI
GRAFTON.
Objection to Cleveland.
do you think" he was asked. that
Mr. Cleveland would make a strong candi-
date for the democratic party?'
He would make a very weak candidate"
was the reply. I'm fact, there is hardly
any condition. however favorable. under
which Mr. Cleveland could be elected. even
though he received the nomination, which
is impossible. L have one reason for say
ing this and 1t is that the people of this
country will not give any man a third term
at this time, and it is to be hoped that
they never will. That is my sole objection
to Grover Cleveland. All this talk about
him as a presidential possibility is idle. and
democrats had better busy themselves with
feasible IDEAS" said the governor
1t was suggested to him that some think
Mr.. Cleveland's attitude is plainly one OF
evasions and reservations which the peo-
pie are interpreting to mean a deep inter-
est on his part.
The reply to this was:
II have not the least doubt that Mr..
Cleveland will express himself in no I'M
certain language. when the time comes.
THE third term principle cannot be elm
mated, and were Cleveland a candidate in
defiance of this fact it would be such an
INN ,rfn co.
would certainly lead to his defeat.
Conditions are liable to change; condi-
lions change very rapidly in these days.
IF the business conditions of the coun-
try remain as they are for another year.
believe 1T will be difficult to disturb the
present political conditions. 1 do not be-
lieve however. that political administration
has anything to do with prosperity. but 1t
is easy to lead the people to think that it
has
THE recent great appropriations by Con-
gresS are strictly in line with republican
principles. to burden the taxpayers for the
purpose of distribution for power and in
fiuence. This is contrary to the democratic
principle of leaving the money in the hands
of the people rather than, the accumula-
ton of large sums by the government.
This is a very old-fashioned democratic
view, however, and not popular at the
present time
President Roosevelt has made no i'm
preston on machine politics. 1t never has
been so powerful as now. and it thrives
because of the Indifference of the people.
Sometimes the people become aroused. when
their patriotism asserts itself. and they
destroy the influence of political machines.
1.-The machine in Pennsylvania composed
of Quay, Penrose and Durham is more
powerful than ever"
He was asked If the post Office scandals
would figure in the result of the next cleo
ton to the disadvantage Of the republicans.
to which he replied:
1T largely depends on the power Of the
administration to punish the offenders. The
graft formerly peculiar to cities and states
has now cropped out, as illustrated in the
post Office scandals. in the national gov
eminent. This is the natural result of the
long continuance of a political party in
power"
When asked what he thought of the new
Pennsylvania libel law, he replied:
Il do not believe, a democrat. that
there can be too much publicity in this
country. AS controller and governor OF
Pennsylvania the greatest protection 1 had
in office was publicity"
you have been spoken of In connection
with the democratic presidential nomina-
ton"
Il am from the wrong state: the party 10
the minority party here. Judge Parker 10
a very strong man, and New York is poten-
tial," said the ex-governor.