The New York herald. [volume], May 11, 1876, Page 4, Image 4

About The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920

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KESTlffi
Bristow and Morton as Favorites In the
Corn Cracker Slate.
POPULARITY OF THE SECRETARY OF Tilt TREASURY.
Tho Sentiment of the Colored I
People.
OTKKY1EWS WITH PROMT STATE POLITICIANS.
Loi'ihvn.LK, May 6, 1870.
A rumor has gone abroad that In Kentucky, tbo
borne of Bristow, a great tuaoy republican* favor
Morton lor the Presidency ; but, like all the lute yarns
concerning tbe Secretary of tbe Treasury, thero 1m no
truth in it. 01 late I bavo been busily engaged In
seokiug tbo viowa or tUo prominent republicans of
Louisville m regard to tavlr cboico (or tbo
l'rcsideney. 1 have yot to Hud a Morton luau or
any prominence. Among those with whom I con
versed I found all lor Bristow, oven men whom I had
understood were lor Morion, or this latter data were
Colonol iioraco Scott and Mr. Thomas Brudlcy, about
whom more shull presently be said.
UUiUlil. It AM LAM'S V1KWS.
The most prominent republican of Kentucky Is
General John M. Harlan. He was twice a caudidato (or
Governor and each time received over 1*0,000 votoa in
this great stronghold of democracy. Many democrats
lorgot tnolr party and voted for tbe man. Uenoral llarlun
obtained a vast amount of information In his two can
vasses, and I think that no tnau to-day is as well posted
about Kontucky and Keutuckian* as ho ia. Tbe other
day jour reporter called on tieueral Harlan and luter
vlowed hlin In retorence to political manors in Ken
tucky so far as they relate to tbe approaching ('resi
dential contest Ueuoral Harlan was reluctant to be
Interviewed, but your rejiorler managed to got him
talklug, us can be seen from ihe fallowing:?
Q. ( oee it stated in sonic of tho papers that tbo re
publicans of this couiity have hold a meeting and de
clared lor Morion for (.'resident?
A. It is not truo that any such meeting lias been
Held. 1 have beard o( a little squad, not exceodlng a
to/en, meeting in the county and passing resolutions
Tor Senator Morton, and that is tbo meeting telegraphed
over tho country as having been held at Bristow's
homo. Tbo republicans of this oily and county will not
hold tbeir primary inoetings until tlay 4. That is the
iiuie regularly appointed, and it is certain that no re
publican will be sent to ibo Stato Convention frotn this
city or county who Is not enthusiastic for Bristow's
nomination at Cincinnati. The Stato Con
vention will bo held on tho 18th or May,
nud it will be (ouud that the republicans
of Kentucky will present Bristow's name with
as much unanimity as tho old whigs or Kentucky pre
BcnieJ that or Henry Clay in 1844 Tbe republicans
or Kentucky uro proud of Brislow and look with con
fidence to his nomination and olectlon to tho Tresi
loney.
Q. Is there any movemont in thii State being inado
lor Morion t
A. lu ouo or two localities an effort ia being made to
rally tbo colorod republican voto in his ravor, but it
will result in nothing. Tbe Kentucky delegation
at Cincinnati will bo a unit for liristow.
However much tho republicans of Kentucky
esteem uovoruor Morton for bis services in tbe repub
lican cause, they aro lor Bnstow abovo all others.
Tbey have not fargotton 'bis clear; record as a stanch
Unionist and consistent republican.
Q. But they aro urgiug it lu tbe North that, being
a Southern man, ho cannot be trusted. How about
that?
A. 1 do not fear any such point against him. Bris
tow should be trusted by the republicans of the North
na implicitly as they would any public man
born and raised on the other side of Ma
son and Dixon's line. The men who urge
this objoctlon forget that Abraham Lincoln,
Dick Oglesby and James B. Birney were born in Ken
tucky and passed some portions of ilieir lives in this
Plate. Tho men in the North who say that a Southern
republican is not to be trusted aro like those in the
tooth who distrust Northern men because they were
raised under anti-slavery principles. Bristow was
reared a whig, promptly sided with the Union cause in
(Mil, (ought gallantly in our army, nover tailored in
tils opposition to tho rebellion, was for all tho men and
money accessary to put down rebellion. As a mem
her ot the Kentucky Senate, before the war closed,
he voted squarely tor the raulicaliun of the Thirteenth
amendment aboiishiug slavery; ho detended the em
ploy monk of colored troops; be approvod and defended
the Civil Rights bill; as District Attorney prosecuted
tho murderous gangs of outlaws who maltreated the
colored meu: has uniformly detended the public school
ly.steiu, and maintained the duty ol the Stale to allord
njual facilities lor education U all lis children without
regard to color; approved and defended both the
necessity mid i olicy of the Fourteenth and
Kiltcuutli amendments to the federal constitution;
has inaiiilauio 1 tin- right of the colored man to hold
olllce?in brief, ho has stood by the republican *any
ever since it had an organized existence iti Kentucky.
1 lie Northern man Who cannot tru-t iirisiow with such
a record, maintained as it has been under circum
I lance a when it cost a great deal lo be a republican,
must bo very hard to please.
General Harlan said he had heard of a distinguished
Northern republican's sa) Ing that it would nol ho sate
to trust u Southern republican; but when became to
flunk ol that gentleman's record he recalled
the lact that, although he had himself been educated
uuder anti slavery influences, ho stood by and defended
the policy of Ihe democratic party when It made war
with Mexico lor the purpose uf extending the area of
slavery.
1 ho reporter continued ?"What is Bristow doing to
bring about his nomination ?"
A. Nothing?absolutely nothing. So lar as 1 know
he has iio\or uttered a word or written a line which
suggested that any ulfort be made by his Irleuds ill
lhai direction. on the contrary, lie has discouraged
his Irleuds from | reding his name. If those who
think favorably of his nomination at Cincinnati should
succceu it will nut be by reosou of any assistance or
eticour.igo rem they have received from h m.
?y. D Brisiow should be notmuaicd can ho carry
Keutucky T
A. My deliberate judgment is that he can. There aro
at \ery large nuirlwr ot old line wh'gv wfio were Union
men during tho war, hut dillcrcd with the repuhh< an
party about tho policy oi reconstruction, who will
come to us if Bristow should be nominated at Cincin
nati. They are being drawn largely to our |?rir by
the manner lu which Bristow lias administered the
affairs ot the Treasury 'Department. Between ihst
class ol men and the republicans there w nothing lelt to
divide them. They agree in the Uiain us lo questions
of constitutional 'construction and as to Ute rela
tion.' wbicli tho States basr to tho federal govern
?Ml There is an Impression abroad that Kentucky
sent more soldiers to the Confederate army than to tiie
t uion army. Hut this is a mistake. Not less than
Tu.ooo white men went from Kentucky Into tho Union
army, and at no |h riod duriug the war did a majority
of the white ) oople In it favor tho succe-s of the re
bellion k'ld the dissvtaUMi of the Union. Willi llnstow
as our candidate hosts will llock to our standard wtio,
since the war, liavo drilled into the democratic
organisation. Besides the.-e there are many
democrats who say they will vole lor him. Hut these
oulfido votes will not come to llriitow becaase ol any
agrecmoni a? to the slavery question, or with *ny ex
peciation that liristew will abate one jot or little from
his principle- us a republican, tried in the lire, but
solely because Itiev liave taith that it will have an
honest, pure udmitiistraiton ol public affairs, and give
the country steady, site goveruinoui. His nomination
will arouse such eaUiOBiaSHI in this State as has not
been seen sun e ttie days ol Harry I'lsy.
Q Do you ih'.nk the republican* wilt eiect their can
didate tor 1'resident !
A. You can tell that as well as 1 can ; but t do not
doubt our success, it the republican |>arly, Dy lis ac
tional < lucinnaii. will satisiy the country thai it is In
earnest in the treat work of reform its nominees will
sweep the country. The great muss of the people de
sire gen nine, thorough rcioriu in all departments of
the public service. I ney have no desire to restore ihe
democratic orgamiai'oii to the control of the national
government, and nothing but ilie Tolly ol our |>arty
rau bring ubout such a <l< ploiable result
Such are the < pinions ol ix iierul llarlaa, and there
s no ropnblicar. in Koutueky better qualified to auswer
Uie interrogatories put lo luat.
HoRToM ASH THR KMIUolia,
Muofi has lioeii said elsewhere ol Morton's strength
arnoag Kentucky negroes. I have round a lew tor Inm,
hut they n iiii< r i n to ono for Bnstow. Indiana
neirr* electioneers hsvo been operating among ibeir
Kentucky brother* concerning Mutton, but uoi very
?uenemrtnlly. lo iliustraio the kind of men the In
diana nrgroes are I will nive an evampie.
I had an interview with an old onleuoial, plsutstion,
dyed-in tlie ?<?>l "CHllad gi-n Iman "
? Madai/iu-i ar," said 1, "who is the best man lor the
Presidency t"
?'Does ye mean for Massa (;runt's place, sah V* asked
Old Seventy-Six.
"Yes, Madagascar, Ihat is what I mean."
"Wetl, aali, since jo's (et a m la -"k da old man'a
'pinion. I don't mind telling what I think* 'bout dat
'oiV lualltr. Ii't do 'piiilitn ij1 ito uld luiuilitdubiior
Moi iou am do mau lur Jo place."
? Why so?"
"Kaae. Kill, he in do only Iran as has stood by old
Pinch (Pinihback)- he am de iuau aa passed do three
'meuduienis, and be am do only man a? haa de spunk
to suck by bis culiud hruader.''
"W lio told you Mm uIkiuI Morion?"
-rolu met twiui may Iro' heah. chile: I know It;
do conjurers done lole nil to long 'go; dey know what
dey re talking bout, 1 apccts; |'w hound lo vole lor
de muu as would vole lor iik- m de hjiiso sahcu in
stances; Mussa Morion am a pahluct geu'luert; be Itkea
do culled people like himself; he 't|*cla deni aa
(ley oujjht be spooled. au.i if his wile was to
?lie to-day I believe* Massa Morion Mould jes' as hof
luarry a cubed lady as u poor white one. Dal am do
kind oi a man I like.1'
"Then you arc opposed lo Bristow ? ? 1 mildly
pat in. *
i?h; I'se no use for dat man Ho am gono
cli-au back on du party. 1 done gib him up when bo
'eposo Bahcock."
?Uul suppose Babcock ww guilty t" Interrupted I.
?De hotd bab mercy, youua massa! ' oxclaimod
tbe usloiiisbed African, "Docs ye 'snose Massa Grant
would bab a muu 'round him as wasn't lust class?"
1 laughed and said, "Wbv, Madagascar, Bristow or
someliody else may yet expose the President!"
The old tiagro'a eyes rolled, ho cliilcbod lux cane,
looked at mo. unci us lie bolbictj avvuv exulaimt'd ?
'? 'Spose do Pres'ik-ul! What does ye take do olo
man lory I kinder guesses minima Grunt and 1 in moin
ber.s 01 do same church, t knows bun wall, and lulu
him, but when you talks about Vpcininy blm den do olo
limn 8 got ntifllu uiouh to say. ku.su I sees vdu'se poking
| luu at bun. Yah! yah!"
; Hit- TIIOMAS URAIII.KY'h OPINION.
I ^ " won like old Madasa&car who arc lor Mortou.
I The more lulclltgcut of the race are lor Krlxtow. I j
. know inauy negroes of Louisville, and not ouo-fttlleth ?
are of old Madagascar's opinion.
I hove lie*1!! tol<l thai throe white republicans of
l.ouisviile favor Morion. They lire >11 id to he Colonel
Horace Scott, Mr. Thomas Ur.nlloy and Colonel J. I*
Luie. Tho Mm Is Superintendent ol the Louisville
and lndianu|Mili* Kuilroud, the second a prominent !
politician, aud tho third an Indlanlxii holding n Ken
tucky olhoo. I met Mr. I trad ley gazing with u longing '
eye Inward tbe Custom llousc it day or two ago.
'?Well," said I, "how coos tho Presidential
move?"
"All right, all right, so far as I can tell; tbe
republicans aro bound to win."
??Who will be tboir choice ?"
"There is a wide breach between Conk ling anil
Blaine. IT either cannot elect himself he will strive
to kill llio other, and tho consequence will ho tho death
of both."
"Ttiis being the caso, does tbe Great Unknown i
have much show?"
'?I ihiuk not. Morton aud Bristow remain- tho
former 1* very strong uud tho latter has been growing 1
greatly in favor with tbe people by his excellent ad- >
iinui-truiion of public allalm''
"I see you aro for Mortou."
"No. xtr, not at all."
"It is generally understood In Louisville that yon 1
and Colonel Scott are the only republicans of tho city
who arc for Morion. llo>v about that, sir?" 1
"I um for Bristow ilrst and Morton second and my i
opinion Ih that Colonel Scon is for Bristow."
"Then there aro no republicans who favor Morton*" 1
"I am sure that I am for Bristow and believe all
Louisville is."
Government officials as a general thing don't Inter
view welL They may think, but are in the iiiaiu alraiil
to talk. There has been so inuoh said about the Louis
ville Custom House that 1 lately resolved to enter it
and attack one of tho officials who stay there Tho
man 1 selected was I, S. Hawlett, Appraiser of Mer
chandise. He is a representstlvo man and verv out
spoken In lils views. I met blm by chance at his room
In the Custom llousc and euguuod in conversation
about tho coming campaigu. Saul 1:
y. Do you leel a particular interest in the politics
of tho day ?
A. The samo interest. I suppose, as Is felt by tho
average cltlxen of tbe I'nitnd Mates who intends to livo
in this country aud leave his children to live in II.
y. I fiud olllce-bolders glvon to vagueness in their
answers. Cau't you tell mo something about tho situa
tion bore?
A. What do you wish to know? If I havo any In
formation in your lluo you are welcome to It.
Q. Well, to begin with, what do you think of tho so
culled Morton movement?
A. I think It a movoment which everybody expected
and which needs no apologists. Morton is certainly
one of thn Urst men In tho republican party and I
think a movement on the part of his friends?o'r ovou
on his own purt?to give him tho management of a
nation bo has labored so well lor. to give him a cbanco
to carry out tbe principles lor which evorv republican
must accord him praise, is perfectly natural and houor- 1
able.
y. 1 know; but do you regard it as Important I
enough here in Kentucky to affect tho delegation to I
Cincinnati? !
A. Most surely I do not. I would as soon think of
an Indiana delegation (Or Blaiuo. I
Q Aro there any government officials here who favor I
Morton's nomination?
A. Quito likely. I
y. Whoaroihoy?
A. I don't know, und T wouldn't tell you If I did. I I
have been told that thoro were such; bui their prefer
cures are as much their owu as their wives and babies.
Q. Who aro Morton's supimrtors in Louisville?
A. 1 tell you, young man. 1 have not tbe specific in
formation you seek. I have been Informed bv soipo
men, whoso only pleasurable sensation |S that ol
ularm, that Morton men wore stirring about among the
un;h nkiug voters?the blacks?who must be told all
they can know ol candidates, and Irving to work up a
sentiment lor Morton and against Bristow; but lor all
the real effect their operations will liavo they might aa
well spend their tinr.e soiling Sankey's snugs in Pata
gonia.
y. How Is Colonel Horace .Scott Interested ?
A. 11 at all, in doad earnest. Horace Scott Is not one
of tbe half-hearted kind.
Q. Is 11 true that he has spoken for Bristow?
A. He told tno he was as good a Bristow man as there
was in Kentucky; that If anybody said ho was trving
to create sentiment against Bristow, or told that ho
wanted to go ax a delegato to operate for Motion
against Bristow, stu b a man told a ilamtn d lie. Several
h.vo indulged In the remark that Scott is a Morton
muu, but since no one has told me that he is specillcally
agalust Bristow I can't give yon tho names of anv
I considerable number ol damned liars; I suppose nothing
? Would suit you bi iter than such a specified list, since
you have such strong dislike tot things vague and
geurrsl.
Q No, I only want to know it Colonel Scott is roallv
working tor Morton, as I have understood ?
^ ell, I can onlj say that such is tbe general
opinion; 1 bavo told you what Scott said tome- I
know him 10 be a good repabllrau; he wus
a 11.ember of Governor Andrew's Council lu
MatsacbusetU? another '-War Governor " hut
one who died beforo theso times of' picking
and choosing, or ho would have been head ami shoul
tlers over all tbe others, short though lie was In staiure.
I ti II you. ybung man, John A. Andrew would have
Oeon the Centennial President II he hud livi-d.
Q. Kxcuse me, xlr, but I have hardly tune to talk of
dead statesmen. Don't you think tho mass of p. ople
111 Louisville?democrats aud republicans alike?seem
to luvor Bristow ?
A Yea, aud that fact speaks well for bun; hut that
won t nominate htm. '1 he Keutucky republic >ux tiupo
lor his iioiuiuaiion and will work lo effect it
the Indiana lepubhcuns will woric to effect 'the
nomination of Morton; but the success of either de
pi'inis upon a mucti wider hold ?r operation than is
bounded by tho ftate lines ol Kenturkvor Indiana
1 he democrats talk Bristow. aud perhaps many ol
1 them would vole lor him; but their oplulous will not
nominate nor their votes elect him.
y Mr. Thomas Bradley says ho Is for Bristow, but
minks Morion the Ik-si man. because he has douo inoro
lor his party than any otner of lis member*.
A. Well, Bradley knows more niiout |Kditicians than
I do, bul it strikes me that psriv conventions generally
lumiliiate the loau Hint the partv will do Iho most to
elect Wnat the party will do tor the man is Just uow
Of more importance to the republican* than what Uj0
man has done lor 1)10 party, li v.tu were to cliooso *
horso to run agaiuxt ouo I had put tip to Ih-ui luiy you
could bring would you lake the old hoi-se thul hud
]>ulled you through luaby yours of hard travel simply
lor tlie reason that In- had drovo xo, or would vou take
a Iresh ouo whose abilities to ix>at nuno you knew to bo
better tluu your old .umdhysr That question Is one
with whidi I will reply to yours
tmiXTOW 1 IIK FAVOItlTB,
Colouel Horace Sent domes being a Morton man and
?ays >1 he govs to Clnciuuail it w ill 00 to support Ken
tucky's choice. Mr. Bradley says he Is lor Bristow, aud
Jir. Luxe is lor Morton on pnioiy porsotial grounds I
QDyer-laud. Ibexe three are the only Louisville ro
publicans suspected of being lor Morton, aud two of
tliein deny It. Having beard thai Ma|or Keoier. Putted
Stales Army, was a Conkllng man, I paid tny rcspccta
to him ami told him what I ha 1 heard. Tho Major woa
rather ret cent, expre?aed a high opinion ot Couxlitis
?ad likewise Brisiow. thought thai iiiaiue and Conk
ling will kill each other, anil do much tor e-ltier liris
tow- or Wheeler, of New York. .-|Hiko highly of
. bt0,?r 1 tailed lo tind a single soul lur Blaine, and
he .-corns to ho truly the great unknown out here
Brixtow lowers aboveall. Morton has some tew friends'
but neither Conkling m.r Itlamo hss much show lor
iveuiucky's vote.
UOX. JAMKS XI'KKl.
It wax the Hon. Jaines Speed, ex-Attorney General 1
ol the I nited Stales, who made llrtxtow In lied Slates
Disirict Attorney, irom Which iNisiiion he lias grmlu
ally rIdiieu into tame. The ex-Aitoruev General i? now
quietly atleuding to Ins large law practice, but he takes
au intcr.'st 111 republican p<>liiic? and ha- probublv
bocu more thoroughly idenliUxt with tbe republ.caii
|nrty Ih.n ?i.y otlierjuan In Kentucky. Ih- x,.yx ho
always retust-d lo lie iniervicwed by. cnrrvapntidents
when ai Washington, hut iieverthcicsx the IUkai.h
reprrsentaiive found an audieuce with him and Uiu
result Is given here.
"Mr. .speed, what is the condition of the republican
|>arty 111 Kentucky at ibis time?' asked the rc|>orier.
"It is more compact than e?er."
"to hut is the standing of tno various icpuhl-rsn can
didate* in this .stale?"
"Hristow is tbe lirst choice and Morton follows.
Conkling has no chance la Kentucky. Bhiineisab.it
ter candidate than Conkling. The republicans of this
Stole would not sup|Hirt tbe latter; be has 110 hold ou
them wiiaiever.
?tould Hristow carry Kentucky ?"
"Ho could unless ihe democrats would b-.' sblo to pat
up u Very strong man. 1 he ilemocrals would vote lor
hi in. lie ?, I oyonu all doubt, Ihe strongest luau in
the ri^puhllcau party."
"l |hiii what do you liase his strength ?'?
..1! i.'1>n.,iUe. t!ur',y .of.b"' cbaracier and tho rourago
txiiibited lately in tho honesi discharge of tbe harasa
lug duties lie has hail to fierlorm. '*
? l?o ynu consoler Bristow a man of great ability ?"
In ail the publte pMlltH 01 cupud by him it has
^bVouT',: * l '"l"" "'""J * 11 ""d the mo .suro
ol his plai-e, evi-n though not exhtbiting auy cxtiavr
uiiiarv genius. ' * ' ?
goiid? '* cb,Boe* 10r 'be nomination at all
"If tho people are heard at Cincinnati ho wui bo
nominated; bat what ibo politicians may do I can't
??What are the prospect* of the republican party at
tbo coining election y" *
"The ? bHrices ol the parly without Bristow a* tho
nominee lor the Presidency arc fair: with mm Um v
are certain. ' *
wl" 1,0 ">8 ,CMiD8 questions of the canvass ?"
..u, , re,,ori" *u<1 "?>ney i??u?a; tbo tariff way pos
sib.y also iMi iiina an issue. ??
? Jj?* does Bristow stand on these questionsf"
110 rcpres. nts tho idea uf rciornt better th.ui any
currency*"' ' utul Wonouncod on tbo question of
'* to *?? action of tbo republican
lom oution ou tho currency question?"
?'l't?? republican party ought to declare Tor hard
motoyand probably wilt; if it doe* not and the other
parlj doea many vote* satit be changed in favor ol tho
ucinocvucy."
i.JT1." .n"J 1,10 cljaructor of tbo candidatos for the
i residential nomination bo cuimiilcred Yft
"l'lio personal character 4 the candidates, the plat
form or roiorm and the money issue will havo more m
uui-nco in ilii? election than I have ever known like
quoallou? to huvc in a Presidential election."
"Do you lluuk the section iroiu which a candidato ;
I nuils will influence ibo republican Convention r"
I "I dou t imagine it will have any effect upon the so- i
1 eel i'in ol caudidntes. the time has gone bv when thut
could be raised an nn objo. tion to iuiv candidate 1
Mioril.v alter tbo rebellion It would havo had it* im
predion, but not now. The tan that Bristow resides
in houjucky cannot bo urged against him n* likely to I
injure hlw chances." ' :
"Who m making tho movement In thla 8tatc against i
JiriMOWr
"The extreme soil money republicans, who do not re
liard Morion us pronounced a* Brwtow'on tho currency !
Issue-. li don't, however, uoiount to much." :
'?In your opinion whut Is the strongest ticket that
could bo put lorlh by tho republican parly
"ISrisinw and id'ims. Against tho latter nothing i
can lie urged, either as u muo, us a republican or as a i
statesmen." I
JL'DUK IMM.ARI).
lion. Bland Ballard has been Judge of tbo Untied I
Stuios Court for this district for munv years post !
and is rociHjuiwKj us one of the most eminent dutricl I
judges in the country. His decisions in ibe
celebrated Ku Klux cu-os havo Ijooii extensively
quoted. Judgo Ballard Is not a politician,
he docs not mingle In political meetings. but Ins views !
upon tho Presidential question will be read with great i
interest. Tbo lltuxui correspondent. having found I
him at his residence, proceeded to interview him u*ful- 1
Io.Vh;?
I'rotn tho eveuts of tho past few mouths do you
consider tho prospects of the republican iiartv Mut
tering?"
"Irrespective of tho character of tho candidates I do
not thiuk the prospects ot tho party good, but by the
nomination of a puro man, well known to the cjuntrv
lor intelligence unit uprightness of character and for
Ills .sound viows on the currency, I think tho nartv
ought to aud will succeed."
"Dl tho lour republican candidates most prominently
spoken of lor tho l'resldoucy?Blaine, Morion. Conk- I
ling and Hristow?which do you consider the must I
available f'
"I consider Bnstow the most available."
"Upon what grounds do you base the Socrctary's !
availability 1" 1
"Because ho is distinguished by his detestation of
corruption, and hits shown u willingness to expose and !
punish It. He is aiso rooognired by thu thinking and 1
business tuon ol the country us possessing
sound viows upon tho currency. I inink
1 have a high opinion ol Mr. Mortou. I
appreciate the grout services ho rondered ' tho
country during the war or tho rebellion; but ho holds
exltcnie views which aro objectionable to many roi uIj
Iicans In thu country, and Ins opinions upon the cur
rency question are not regarded as sound. Mr Bluiuo
is a man ol intellect, but 1 thiuk he lives too lar dowu
Bast. He would make u strong candidate, but not ^o
strong us Bristow. Conkling is the weuko.t ol tho
lour candidates mentioned. It is diillcult toa-signtho
reason for this', but it Is quite apparent that ho in not
acceptable to the best republicans In his own State
I regard Bristow us the representative ol that Idea or
tho purity ol admiulstra. ion with which the rcLUbll- I
cans must triumph ir I hey triumph at all" 1
"Do you think that ho is really the only one who I
can carry tbo republican party victoriously throu-h 1
the coming canvass ?"
I am inclined to think ho Is, though I am person- ?
ally williug to support others."
"Would not the nomination ol Secretary Bristow he '
being a Kentucklau, injure tho republican nurtv in tho i
North r" !
"I sapposo not. The republicans of tho North will '
j not soon forget tho mistake tney ma^o by thu olecimii
i ot Johnson; they will not bo willing to support any i
! Southern republican until fully assured or
his antecedent!) and his preeont sound i
republican Views; but tbo more they inqiitro !
tho more they will bo saitslled with Bristow. Uu h?s '
boon throughout file uu opponent oi slavery, and tbero '
Is not a republican lu thu land who is a iruer trlend to i
the principles ol universal Ireodoiu and to all the prtii
ciplos lor which tbo republican party has struggled lor
III teen years." |
j "Would his nomination not Injure tho chances or tho '
party il the democratic party snould uoiuimu# a North- I
eru man t"
"I think not. lor U Is quito certuln tho democrats !
Wier <'*niIiaW " >erU U1*n' 'luo:r ou|y chanco lies
"Bo you consider Secretary Bristow a man of strong !
Individual force and possessed ol great ability y?'
"I consider him a man of tine ability, of independent
thought and ot the airictesi integrity. Tho muro ho is
assailed tbo puror will his public llto appear."
"Wou:d not his pronouncetl views upon the cur
rency question injure him in iho estimation of tbojoft
money republicanst"
"It would uniloubtedly, but I think It quite certain
that tho democratic party will nominalo a candidate
who will bo equally objectionable to such republicans." i
"Is the icpiiblican puny likely to lorco the currency I
question prominently mio the canvuss, and rnako it 1
one oi the Issue* by doclMrin^r lor hard mouov*" j
' Tho question of currency is obliged to bc'ono of tho i
great issues ol the next campaign."
I "l)o you really suppose tnut Bnstow would bo able
to curry Kentucky t"
: "I think it very Improbable.' I havo been lighting
! tho hard-beadodnessand pig-heodeduc.-sof Kentucklans
lor so long a time mid with so little success thai I havo
very l:ltle hope rrom iheiu; but I think his nomina
lion would reduce considerably thu usual democratic
m yoriiy or the State. " ?
"Will the attempt of Morion's frieuds to create a
I iliT?rr.U>Ui)n ,h,,1?u,e ,n ???? lavor tnjuro his chances
? with the Kentucky republican delegation should Bria- 1
! tow not stand any show tor the nomination ??
! . V kuow "uibing about the oOort Morton lias niutlo
but it there has lieen ouo II has been so metleciual as
I not seriously to affect Morton's p isillon. Tho fact is i
| Kentucky republicans re >ienib. r with much gratitude
I /!'u1 n"a ability displayed by him during
tuo war. .
"Aro not the politicians throughout tno country de
cldedlv averse to the nomination ol Bristow t"
"1 hope not; but, judging irom iho slanders that aro
daily published against him, I lear there Is somo sys
tematic aud unscrupulous cUort to delaine him lam
very unwilling to believe that this is prompted by any
?l ,I,e prominent republicans of the iwrty. t stronalv
suspect II has boon instigated by the miserable rusiils
conueclod with tne \Mnskey Iturg whom Bristow hat 1
, been endeavoring to bring to Justice."
"Do you think ho will havo much support outside of
the Keutucl.y delegation when the Convention as
sembles at Clncinnali r" I
"I have no uiuaiis or lorming an opinion upon tho
subject. 1 am satisfied tliul there is a ere*/ deal or
quioi senfinient among the republicans or the country
which domsuds his nomination, und it ho shall not ex
hil?it,in the Convention great strength in its early
stages, I think It very probable and quite certain that ,
his strength will increase every hour the Convention
? I'Wyiusc that element of ttie republican nartv?
witiio.it which It cannot succ.H>d-will insist upon'his
nomination or Iho nomination of some man like Inm "
Hon ",y"U U"Uk f'e^outh would lavor bis nomlua
"lam very "tue acquainted with tho Monument or
tl.o South. I Dover read a newspaper Horn u,e Sooth
but I am sure. It it is true to lis own interests and
especially if Hie blacks, who constitute u large mioor
ty of ibe republicans ol the South, understand thoir
liitoreshi, he will receive the republican support."
l>ota not Conk line, backed by the Sow York Sow
Jersey jau?J othe r Kastera delegations stand a lair sbow
lor the imimnation luw
**I think he bus no cb&tico."
theposillo'n 17TMSffirP '"S M)"ity "Dd Uln?W '?r
1 have no Idea I suppose they will Ito dh ided l-e
l .o.'ilrf ?<k' 1,11,1 endeavor to select Solue
cauuidato who CiU b<j htiecof-slul."
POLITICAL NOTES.
Tbe Syracuio Courier gays ihal ox-Governor Sey
mour's pretty refusal of tlio crown only strengthens
bm chances.
Itoohoslcr Jtrmoerat:?If Sam Tildtn is not tbe
(real democratic unknown, be certainly will bo next
November, unU probably some time before that.
1 he UartrorJ Cuurant bears a rumor tbat Senator
English, despair ng of un election lor tbo new Sena
torial terra, will withdraw In favor of Governor Ingor
aoli, to lieail oif Mr. liarunm.
Augusta (Ua.) Chronicle: ? Nominating a candidate
(or I'rosident wbo wax id sympathy with tbe South
would bo like r-hakiug a red ling in tlio lace of au en
raged bulL A loyal mau?(bough in aympatby with
tbe oorruptlonisi*?would And tio dllHculty in defeat
ing Senator Katou, who is ono ol tba purest a* bo la
one of tbe al >U-ai public men m tbe I'm tod State*. Tbe
Sou ill would aupport Senator Eaton with uuaninnty.
but tlio South alone could not qloct u,m.
Troy ?If. as Horatio Seymour said at rtlca,
the country ?s auflerinx Irotn a low state of inormis, wo
do not know our Kan who la more to blame for it than
be. In lsj4 IIr. Seymour bargained with tbe liquor
dealers lor the nomination ofUoveruor, hoping by their
money to be electod over Myron U. Clark, the temper
ance candidate.
Montgomery (Ala.) bulletin:?The presumption la
pnl|>ablf, troiu tbe present Indications, tbat Spencer ta
only working to get a delegation admitted to the Cin
cinnati Convention Irom Alabama In tbe Interest of
Morton or tome other l'reMdential aspirant wbo will
assist in carrying out bis achumo for controlling the
lederal pairouago buro lor three years to come. No
| taue man hero claim* that 3p?ucer'a luUuonoe In the
glale will b? sufficient to obtain a single electoral vole
for the Cincinnati uoui.nue, whoever tlul uiuy be.
Norwich (Conn.) Bulletin:?The principal argument
employed by the IrtMti of Um rival democratic candi
dates lor the office of United State* Senator M u start
ling a* it ii novel. It is the first Un?e in the history of
Connecticut politics that a man has dared to ask for an
office on the ground of money expended lor purely
parly purposes, and we sincerely trust that it may be tho
last. It marks a stage in the degradation of the poll
tics of tlie times never reached before, a lovel too low
to be lasting if the State la to survive.
The Wilmington (X. C.) Morning Star:?There Is no
disposition In the South to tuake the choice of a stand
ard bearer lor the democratic party. Most of oar peo
ple aro Indifferent as to the particular man, so he is
one ol tho several able and upright gentlemen whose
chauces huvo been discussed, or sotuo one of equal
claims for the position. The true policy of the South
ern conservatives is the policy of standing off and letUug
our Northern allies name the oandMiaie. All we want
Is the nomination of the strongest man. Whether he
is Hendricks, TiUien, Davis, Bayard or seme entirely
new tuan wo carc but.
liuflalo Expreu:?The whiskey and revenuo thieves
aro still Misy trying to make a break In Mr. Uristow's
armor, and will not cetse their cfloris uutll the Cin
cinnati Convention sluill have been held; but their en
mity will undoubtedly strengthen rather thau mar that
gentleman's reputation.
Klmira(M. Y.) Adocrtitrr:?'lhe letter of Governor
Seymour explains itself, to be sure, but not to Tilden's
satisfaction.
Philadelphia Earning Telegraph:?Democratic in
qulsltiveness lia- at last received a decided and deserved
set-back. What with the salo of post traderships and
real estate pools and wh'skey rings and Indian rings
and h thousand and one other scaudals, the democratic
majority at Washington surely have enough legitimate
matter for Investigation.
THE ARMY AND THE NAVY.
RELATIVE ItiNK AND PAY OF THE OFFICERS OF
THE TWO BRANCHES OF TIIE SERVICE?AN
EFFORT TO INJURE ONE AT THE EXPENSE OF
THE OTHER?THE BE.tL 8TATB OF THE CASE.
To tii8 Emtuk ok tiir Hkrald:?
The following oircu.ar, untitled "Extravagance in the
Navy" (see A and B), has been laid upon the tablo of
every member of Cougress, and naval officers liavo
wsltod lor some little time lor respectable officers of
tho army to disown any conncction with its publica
tion. A little examination of tho paper will show a
good deal of tupprtttio veri aud inoro of the tuggetlio
fnlti, and Its animus is evident, though short sighted,
for injuring the navy does not benefit the urmy. This
army circular names only the sea pay of naval officers,
the highest they can under any circumstances receive,
and which can only bo received less than half the time
of actual service In the navy, while It gives tho lowest
possible pay proper ol army officers, making 110 men
tion of the longevity Increase, which tho navy does not
enjoy at all; or the allowances for forage, quarters,
fuel, &c., which makes the pay, say of a lieutenant col
onel, $5,500 ]>er annum, while under no circumstances
can a commander (the same rauk In tho navy) receivo
more than $3,000 sea pay, $3,000 shoro psy or $U,300
leave pay, and Is usuully enjoying one of the two latter
ruther than the formor.
There is ono caso actually in existence whero a com
modore on shoro duty (ranking with a brigadier gen
eral) is associated on duty with a major in tho United
States Army, and tho latter, who entered tho army Tn
1861, receives more pay tliuu tho veteran sailor of threo
wars who entered the navy bofore tho Major was born.
Tho following Is tho circular referred to:?
TUB CIRl'UUAR.
While the army Is constantly subjected to legislation,
tn order to reduce tho cost of its maintenance to the
motit economical point, the navy remains untouched,
and presents tho anomaly of a country maintaining a
larger number of officers of high rank in time of p*uce
than during a great war. To the almost unbounded
lufluenceot a powerful body of officers of high rank
und high puy, numbers ol whom are stationed In Wash
ington, aud io tho general Ignorance us regards tho in
ternal workings of the navy, may be ascribed the rea
son* why tills extraordinary absorption of tho public
money lias been permitted to continue.
The following table will show to wbat extent It ex
ists:?
.Vu mbrr of offleert of high rank on the attire lint of
(he navy during the yeari 1S64 and 1676, compiled
frotn official regitUrs.
Sank.
Admirals..
Vice Admirals
lloar Admirals....
Commodores
Captains
Commanders. ....
1864. | 187t
With over 450 vet- With 50 vatitU
?U in comnuiion. in com mutton.
.Vo.
Pay.
Grade not es
tablished
Urado not es
tablished.
$.'.,ikio
4,000
3.5001
2,800
Pay.
$13,000
0,000
0,000
5,000
4,500
3,500
fiumber of officer* at pretent on the active list of tht
army wiL't whom theie naval officers equally rank.
Proposed pay
a> ulr r Mr. Ban
Rank.
I'ay under pres
tnl taw.
.Vo. Amount.
$13,500
11,000
7,500
5,500
a, so j
3,000
ninu'i biU.
Amount.
$10,000
8,000
6,000
5,000
8 500
3,000
(?ouerals
Lieutenant Generals..
Major Generals
Un^adier Generais...,
Colonels
Lieutonuut Colonels..
l'resent l?t(ul force of llio navy, 8,000 men.
Present local lorce ot tbe army, 145,000 men.
Here Is presented tho extraordinary anomaly Of
25,000 men requiring lose officers ol corresponding
rank than a force of 8,000 men. A large number of tbe
460 vessels In commission daring the war were com
manded by voluulocr offices of lower grades, with sal
aries of $1,200 and $1,800. Thoro was not one volun
teer officer of ihe navy of as high rank as the lowest of
those iu the above table.
This attempt to injure the navy on tho part of cer
tain army officers Is, to say the least of It, a very small
and oontemptible business.
TBS THUS STATS OF THB CASS
in regard to tho relative pay of army and navy will be
found to the following table. The relative rank Is as
follows:?
Admiral ranks with geueral; vico admiral ranks with
lieutenant general; rear admirals rank with m^jor
genurnls; commodores rank with brigadlor generals;
captains rank with colonels; commanders rank with
lioutenant colonels; lieutonaat commanders rank with
majors; lieutenants rank with captains; masters rank
with llrst lieutenants; ensigns rank with second lieu
tenants.
TAULU or or.KATKST FAT OF OFFICES* OF TUK ABUT
ANli NAVT.
..Vary.
Hank.
Admiru!
Vice Admiral*.
Ri ir Admiral..
Commodore. ..
Captain.
Commander...
Lieut Com'd'r.
Lieutenant....
Master
Ensign.
Midshipman...
At Sea,
$13,000 I
W.000
6,000 |
5.00H
4,500 I 1
3,501) i
3.000 I
2,600
2,000
1,500
1.000
On Shore.
First 4
At I IT 4
Kiri-t 5
Vlier 6
Kir.st 5
Alter 5
Klrst 5
Alter 5
$13.00*
8,001
o.OW
4. COO
3,5(10
3,0 H!
vrs. (2.4(H)
yri?. 12,ft*i
yrs. (2,000
yrs. 12,20o
yrs. i l,f>oo
yrs. 11,700
vrs. t l,00u
vrs. 11.200
H00
Waiting
Orders.
$13,000
6,000
4,000
3,000
2. MA)
2.HOO
2,000
2. .*00
1.000
1,800
l.-to
1.4W
S00
1,000
600
Army.
Hank. I'nii and Allowance
General $17.10 ) mid lora^u tor three horses
Lieutenant Geueral. 12.571 and lora^e for three horses
Jl.ijor General 0,071 and fcrage lor ibree horses
liriKadier General... 6,811 and lora^a for three horses
Colonel 5.*11 and lora^o for two horses
Lieutenant ColouoL. 5.U70 and lora^e lor two horses
Maj.>r 4.670 and lori^e lor two horses
Captain 3,?2l au<l forage lor one horse
Kirst Lieutenant.... 2.7*7 aud lora^o lor one horse
Second Lieutenant.. 2.102 and forage for one horso
lirov. Second Lieut.. 2.000 and lor.igc lor ono horso
Xote - A ration In the navy i? thirty cent* per tllsui per
?an. Koratre In the army average* thlity evnts pet diem.
I lie allowances ot ?ffloer? I?r the army are cunipmed at Hie
rale ot #1* per room fur quarters (W atliiniftun rate), and
fuel ?t (7 per coril of wihkI.
An equalUation ut pay l ir oflkvri of tho army and navy
seeai* bet aa act of Jumie-'.
The army circular tako* no account of the fact that
the command ol a fleet or squadron is virtually equal to
tbe command of an army in tho Held, whilo the duties
and reaponaibiltties of the commaud of Irlgaies mid < or*
vettes are moro than equal to tho responsibilities
attending the coramaod ol a regiment. No fttlr com
parison can ever be made between the number ul
officers required for armtes as oppus- d to navies, tbe
duties being so utterly dissimilar. To attempt it argues
Igtii umih o.
That both army and navy need cerium reforms Is
conceded, hut let us t.o lair u&d just, and let It also be
established that, grade lor ;:rade, the pay of the two
aervlces shall be .exactly tho same. That Is all tbe
itavut officers ask?justice, were Justices ? HAW.
JACQUES OFFENBACH.
His Impressions of American
Institutions.
PERPLEXING JOURNALISTIC AMENITIES.
What He Thinks of Music and
the Drama.
It la not often that this side of the Atlantic la
favored with the presence of a composor enjoying such
a world-wide reputation as Offenbach, it might antely
be assumed that one standiug, us be doee, at the very
head of hi* own epecial branch of musical art, and, us
a consequence, enjoying the acquaintance and inti
macy of most ol the artiatic celebrities of Eorope,
would have much to say upou muaic and the Kindred
aria that wua entertaining and inatructive, more
especially an far aa hia adopted country, France, ia
o?owed.
With a view ol eliciting each opinions and obaerva
tiona on these subjects at* tho groat compoaer might
see III to communicate a IIikalu representative called
upon him yeswrday. It would be ditllcult to exaggerate
tho easy but reflned geniality, the wll, grace, polish
and acumen ol the man whom the outaido world knows
only oa tho greatest living cotcponer ol o]>rra boujfe.
He eonlially welcomed the II Kit a u> nun, and, alter un
interchange of the ordinary eivilltlca, wild that he bad
noticed with great pleasure in the various representa
tives of the press whom he had met, and with whoin
ho had conversed, a complete abaenco ol those jealous
ies and blckeringa whieh were the bano of journalism
in France lo-day.
"And yet," aald tho Herald man, "they have
very decided views, both political, religious and other
wise."
"That may be, but I doubt whether you have among
you the aame acerbity of opinion aa our journalists
havo in France. You have, it ia true, dcmocrata and
republicans among you; but what are such shades ot
opinion when compared with the stroug party lines
which divtdo our legitimists, Orleotiists, republicans
and BonaparlisU ? Thcr actually disappear. (To a
gentleman in the room)- Do you think it possible to
get tour representatives of different Journals to frater
nize or harmonize in Parisf"
"Couainly not," said the gentleman appealed to,
with a aiguillcant shrug of tho shoulders.
A HAPPY FAMILY.
j "By the way," said M. Oftenbach, "I must tell
you ttint I was down at the Hkbai.d oflice to-day and
was greatly pleased and surprised at all I saw."
"Tho best time to see It," said the IIkiialu man, "is
Just aa the presses begin running off the llrst edition of
tho paper."
"That 1 should Imagine, and I shall certainly tako an
early opportunity of doing so. (To the gontleman
abovo mentioned)?My dear fellow, wo In Paris have
really no idea of what a newspaper office means. Vllle
niONsant thinks tho office of the Figaro a considerable
thing; but in comparison with tho Uxbald office it is
liko a cottage to a palace. There Is no usj atiompttng
to dcscrlbo theso things; you must see them tor your
?oil." ?
"My purpose tn calling upon you, M. Offenbach,
was, If you will kindly allow me, to get your opinion
with rofercnce to the present condition of France in
Regard to "
"Well, I thinlc It may be safely said that France has
fairly recovered from tho mere material prostration
from which she suffered after her strugglo with Ger
many. But there are other deep-soated results from
which, I think, it would be bold to say wo havo thor
oughly recovered. These are partly what I should call
political roaults, and of these I should prefer not
speaking at present"
TUB DRAMA ASD LITXRATURK.
"On these heads, sir, it wus not my Intention to
trouble yoa, but the Hirald thinks that the people of
tho Cnitod Slates could learn much with regard to tho
presont state of the arts/ music, the drama and litera
ture from so eminently qualified an authority as your
sell."
"Ah, I see what you wish. Well, to oaswer your In- j
direct question In general terms, I am Inclined to I
think that, outside what is merely material, France is
passing through a period of decline [drcmiencr)."
'?Do you think that opinion holds good 01 musto V
W\ASTED?MUSICAL IXDI Vlt)l! AUTI88.
"Certainly. I would not bo understood to say that |
the general level of musical culture has not risen In '
France during the last fifteen years. It has. But It ]
1 has been unaccompanied by the appearance ol any cor
responding number of great musical individualities. If |
in the later regard wo compare our present condition 1
[ with what wo wcie thirty years ago we shull see bow ,
| far we have retrograded. It Is true wo have u Gounod, i
j a Thomas and ouo or two minor musical lights, but j
! what are those in number compared to the constella- I
i don in which shone such mep as Boiledieu, Adam. !
' Meyerbeer, Halevy aud twenty others that 1 could '
mention ?"
"Is there any reason which you can ascribe for this
falling oif in the number or groat musical personali
ties?"
"I cannot gay there is, except that men seem to fol
low nature, which at limes :s overproducuve and
uguiu rather niggardly in her gifts. It Is true Gounod !
lias given us 'Faatsf and 'Romeo;' hot be has been |
almost mute ever since."
"Do you think that the attempt to copy Wagner's I
style o: music has bad anything to do with bringing
| about this result ?"
wagxkk's music.
"1 think It has. Wagner's music. In the drat place, is
totally unsuited to tho French torn imminent. We can
not enjoy It aud wo cannot write it That deep, con- i
atructive music, which seems to taboo melody, can !
never live In France, aud no Frenchman can ever liopo
to succeod in It. Verdi tried hla hand at It and failed .
signally. Ill* 'Aids' is his opera which will lirst die.
The French character and temperament require melody
lu music. Such success as 1 have hud with my various
works 1 attribute lamely to the facility, sucli as it may
be, which I have for writing melody. This no amount
| of study cau give a man; it is a gilt. To-day we have
liarilly auv writers of melody in France. 1 might, I
with the exception of Gounod and Thomas, aav none.
' If we llnd we cannot produce tine original melodies
that is no reason why wo should endeavor to eppv the
German style of tnusic so unsuited to oitr musical tem
perament. Better copy good models of melody, of
which there are plenty?Mozart Uoasini, he., or even ?
Beethoven."
"Then you .ire of opinion, too, that the present de
cline in the numrier of im?U musical composer* is due,
hi a liii .'e measure, to the affectation of the trans'
lihonuue style oi music."
"Certainly. But there is another source of mischief.
It is that men will Insist upon Writing music to
subjects and themes which do not squ ire enlior wiin
their natural musical bias or gills. Men who could
write good ballads attempt sacrou cantatas; some who
could write creditable light 0]>:*ra will Insist upon writ
ing masses, and so on, all round the compass. It may
surprise v?u to hear that 1 have written masses my
self; but 1 was, and am, well aware that my forte did
not lie in thai direction. I should write a thousand
years and never produce anything to compare with
Mo/art's 'Requiem.' This mistaking of powers and
gilt." is a proline source ol tho musical inanition under
.vhirh we arc laboring. To turn to another subject,"
said the gieat composer, "how is it that with the enor
. rnous resources ol this rouutrv you have nothing here
to correspond to the great conservatories ol Kuropo f"
"1 thiol," said in.* Hi:i<ai.i> mail, "that the reasons
for Mich a lacuue are complex: they would seem to be
partly political, )>artlv social, In character.
"l.et me unticipate your expiaiiaiiou. You were go
ing to say. were you not, thsi republican institutions
wore hardly so lavorable to such growths as monar
chies. where the whole power of a country lor founding
and supporting such things wus iu the hand.- of a king
or an emperor, who could use it lor the creation of one
or two great centres ol musical education, instead ?f
being scattered through thirty different States aud Ter
ritories f"
" That was my idea."
"There is undoubtedly something in It, but America
is fully us capable us any monarchy ol founding such a
t-reat insillullou rigut here in the city ol New York,
llere the monarch is ihe people. Ttry can will aud do
do anything. The only thing required is to select a man
ol the very lustiest musical ability and administrative
cu|sM-ity, iu whose integrity ihe po .pie have tiupUait
cinlldence. I'lace such a man at the head o! it, have It
Urmiy and well governed and muuiliuently .upporind
by the nstkm, and in a mon peuod your < observatory
would eqaitl that ot any country in the world. Bat
the conditious I have mentioned are absolutely indis
pensable.''
"II it would not be taxing your courtcsy loo much,
M. Ollenbach, I Would like 10 have your views with
regard to the prcsout condition ol the drama In
Frauoe."
Ills DHAKA IX rttAM'B.
"I will give them to you with great pleasure, bat, for
fear it should slip luy memory to recur to it, 1 will first
nuke one observation. I um very much surprised at
the small number of theatres, properly so called,
which you liavo hero. Noiniuuily waairngion is the
capital of America, but New York Is really the metrop
olis I could nev.-r liavo iniagm d thai so grtat a city
would be mi pom iv supplied With theatres. Can you
1 gi\c any reason for It?''
"I pi esume, sir. ills a more question of supply and
demand. If the |s'opio needed more I tbiak we should
have them We are by no meaas so great a theatre
going people as the Frenah. Bat 1 ihtnk another rtm
I son may be that we have not in Mew York so great a
I Simply el ttrat rate drama tip uUtsi to atuaoi aodiencos
u you hav? at horn*. Beeidee w km Ml mwM
it producing lij taaktr of Aral class playwrigfcta "
"Wait, Uui ia deltaata groiid. H roaainda mm. haw
?wr, to tail yea ibM 1 have be?a pleased with aM)r mt
t ha acton whom I have ae?a sines I have been km
I may maatkia Ferreol,' of which I have ot eourae mm
the original. Although I cannot say thai 1 recognized
any great acting, stilt the eaacwMs ol the playing lot
proared ate very favorably. Uaa thiag which especially
pieaaed me waa that the prompter waa suppreaaed, and
no hiamu box dulgnred the iroutol the auge. This i* I
great st*p forward. In tat* Kans would do wall u
imitate New Vora, and I auail uot tall to call atlcutioa
to thia potat upon my return home. Now let me aa
swer your question."
'?I am aorry to have to Bay that the drama w to
have declined to France (ml is (Ue Mine MQie IbAl
music haii daring the last thirty yoara. To-day we are
at u low ebb. 1 can remember the time whoa IIrat rate
piaywriters wero an numeroua In I'arw that It waa a
matter ol the greatest dtmculiy to cat even a piece ol
uudoubtod merit accepted at one or tho theatrea Now
II managers can vucceod in getting hold ol anything
that is oven moderately good, lh?y auap U up with
avidity."
"lio you think there ia any apodal causc aaaignabla
fortius
>d any more thau there la for a corraspaadtag fail
> lug oil iu the quality ot tho geaaral literature that la,
tliu light liter.aur^ of the country. Prauce aoema to
have exhausted herself about a quarter of a century
; Ngo in tho production of what I might term iba
dramatic and literary I'leiadoa. It waa a glorioua
period which produced the I.amartines, the Scribes, tha
{ d? XlusaeiK, tue Dumas. the .-sue* and a score of other
equally great names, foremost among which was Victor
Hugo. Hut it sadden* ouo to thiuk that the latter haa
outlived hit- genius and his common aooao by lifleea
years. We iriay possibly again see such a period, but I
think Franca will have to wall ioug fnr It "
??Tins decline lias been by some laid to the charge of
the Kmpir.- as as an enervating ami corrupting regime.
Do you think the .liar^' well louudod ?"
| "I do not. lically great mon are but slightly alloc tod
i by such inllueucs ;.s art- supposed to have beea af
work under empire?they always riao above them,
(ireat dramatic nnd literary men did not show becauas
' Fiance did not produce tliein ; that is the simple aoiu>
I tlon cf tho question. The samo observation will hold
equally tood of art."
j GRANT'S CRUELTY TO CUSTER,
[Frtm tho Chicago Times.J
In spite of his official denial Grant has gotten hlnk
| self Into a very disreputable position In (the Oustei
' business. He Qrst allrontod the cavalryman, and then
tried to disgrace him. It la not Improbable that Grant's
treatment of Custer may result In a committee of in
; quiry, which will lay bare tho indocent warfare waged
; by the Executive, not only upon Coster, bat other
soldiers who huvo. In obedience to Congreaa, testified
i as to army abuses. Ia tho Custer case Grant's conduct
; sounds Ilka a chapter from the history of some Eastern
I despotism. Tho facta in the ca?e present the Preaident
; ol tho United Slates In ouo of tho most humiliating and
' disreputable of tho many humiliating and diarepu
j tablo plights that bo has been put in this winter.
A ropubilcan membor, interested in the contro
versy, has takou pains to iuquiro the status of the
case, and from him these facts are obtained:?First,
Custer, as Is the etiquette among army people, called
upon the President so soon as ho arrived in Washing
ion. no was rriuwu aii ?uuiiiuw no unuu agum, um
three eucceaaivo occasions, and was met by tho turne
response, that Hie President was engaged una could
not see 111 hi. Wttbiu ten days a republican Congress
man learned tluit tbu President Dually, uuable to con
tain his anger, and desiring to |>aralyxu the efflcacv of
the committee * work and punish those that gave evi
dence, d.roctud an order u bo issued suporsedlne
Custer iu com mauil oi tbo Indian expedition. usautn.
ing in his stead Miyor General Terry, who baa never
bad exporioiice on the frontier and who kuows nothing
of the Indian sorvice. ljut week Custor, wbo bus
boen anxious to got off for a month liLallv obtained
consent Irom the coiumittoo to return to his cotniuuud
subjon to their suiuiuons 11 they needod mm. lie
v sited General Sherman, stating tbo case to bim ox
Illicitly, explnimug thut lie had no Instrumentality in
causing himself to bo summoned, nor did ho take uuy
part In tbu exaiuinatiou which was demanded of him
by the committee. General Sherman expressed uer
I'i-*61"?" ^ Custer's conduct, lauientod the
1 resident s stupid wrath and advised Custer to call
"!} >"lu . ,lld. ?*PWn '?he true conditlou ol
uilaiie. According to Sherman. Custer had on
several occasions visited the President for the
purposo of relieving his mind of any misappre
hension and disabusing him of the curront
slander that bo was golug out ol his way to bring dls
grace upou his iorincr companions in arms. Sherman
could see no reason why Custer should not visit Graul
???. ??X'!i !U ln? aai' flually,at his suggestion,
Custer did call. This was ou Saturday afternoon and
Custer bad bis tickets lor his Western Journey. Tie
waited, however, over Saturday, Sunday and Monday
to comply with Sherman's advice, and promptly at ten
o clock, so soon as the President's roceptiou hour be
gins, he was In attendance. Thero were several neonle
who arrived with Custer, all ol whom were insiautly
admitted ou sending in tboir cards. The entire com
pany wbo came with Custer passed iu and out and
others came and passed iu and out, and still ho sat in
the antechamber unhidden. From ten o'clock until
one he waited, doxous ol people ol all kinds
and conditions banding in tlioir cards and earn
ing access to tbe President, while the busk eve
stared at hlui. About two o'clock General
lugulls, passing in to 8co the President si*
Custer, and asked bim how long b* had beon watting.
Learning tho Mtuutiou, ho inlonned Custer tliai he
would call General Grant's attention to his presence
and hurry matters up. lngalls, on gotug to the Presl
deiil, told bim of Custer's being in the antocbutnber.
and said: ? It is not inlr to Custor to servo htui iu thai
way. If you do not want to seo him you should have
sent bim word this mornma, aud not kopt bim out
there among the crowd waiting tho eutlrodav." In
gulls wcut on stating lurthor his opinion of the propri
ety of treating an oriicer of Castor's distinction In such
e lashlou. It seems that his upbra.dutg met with no
response, for at three o'clock, having waited since ten
Custer s card was returued to bim with a message from
tho President decl.uing to eee bim, stating that he wm
going to lunch. ? " w*
l>a> ton (Ohio) Democrat: ?The statement that the
President relieved General Custer from his command
because he was a witness In tlio Belknap impeachment
trial iii denied from Hasbiugton. It la said to have
h"?? i!LwUU V' ",0 l'realuuul that General Caster
???tiUK^0u.! panMd M " should remain
until he bad testified, and that meantime the Indian
expedition should be placed under couuojud o?t?ome
u .r; .'.V4 remarkable, bovrevo^hij
'* re"?l>le that tho order rolloviug bim should not havi
been issued uutil after he had been discharged by tlu
lus command r<WchoJ (Jhlcu?0 ou his way to Joli
.ir???l?ndL<CaLl fV"c';'-u?ncral Grant la beginning ti
str ke bock, imd Irom his well known character we met
expect exciting nows in a short time. There la n<
power in the Lnited States that can bisko Genera
Graut restore Custer to his command. He has fathere*
reports against many ol the President's friends that re.
-V.Cry li,r,ou'" v on th,! 1*resident General Grant
never forgets and ho has never been known to forgive.
Newport (it. 1.) .Xavc?The reason of Cuater'e
removal iroui bia command does not appear very
SSVi'lT1 1 ?splauatlons attempted are strangely
contradictory. An Associated Press despatch ol Friday
*'IU' Uiu wish of tbe l'resldeut that General
Custer, having been subpa-naed as a witness should
remain until be had testiUvd, aud that meantime th?
ii! i!*!0 *huuW 1,0 placed undor tho oom
luand or some other ollleer.? But be had tdMlbed aud
Ihoui dim hurged by tbd committee, as this same dee.
patch proceeds to say. Ono of tlto eari.est explaat
lions Was that tbe commauii of tbo expedition ou tba
Plains was given to Terfy Uecau.o Castor couldn't JeJ
there in tune. Uut Cutter started for the West at
oece, and was likely to reach his post in g^ wJon
when be was dolayed ou the way by an order to report
to (foueral Sheridan, jiud UeuonU Sbcridaa
st rue ted to allow Custor to proceed to Ins post but not
te lease with the expedition because be might be
needed as a witneaa in Belknap's impeachment Tha
troublo with this is tuet it bad already
toea explained that tbo Preaident ordered
Custer to the I'laiui because tho impeaciiment
muu.iger* said liiey uidn't need linn. A special d?
spucli to the Boston AdmHimtr, dated at Washington.
Sunday says that Custer wo* ordered Wost llrst. bo
cause be came Ij^t as a volunteer witnosx and bad
been aw ay Horn bis |mmi for te o monrtia witbout leave,
booed, bH'aUso no had given laiae toatlmony. Tlilrd
beeaase the impeactiment niaiiagnni didn't need him'
and lonrtli, beoaus<.' so many oillcera had gone on ins
expedition .hai no was ueeiled a: the post. In rouard
lo the iirsi point, Custor asked leavo le antwer Cly
luer h iiuesiioiis in writing witbout c-mfiug Ka^t but
was HilUpiKiiaed. If 11,? secoud point is true he Slioald
be court inart:allo< 1 at ouce Ins oail of ordered to duty
with bis regiment. The third point is contradicted
and as to the lounb, w?- believe tue cxp.Hlition had not
leu last week. \\ e see some papers rejoico that Custor
uas lH*cn Oi?^raci*d bccitusio lie wun a 4%s?witc*' witueM
against Belknap. Possibly this la the explanation and
In trywg to make the case appear otherwise the well
other newspaper corresjKiudeuU contradict etch
I'lica Herald:?A letler from Custor to Clvmer hai
got into print whoreln the Goaeral auu-s he was nee,les
at bis host, aud askod if the i|uestii>ns he was dosiros
to aoswer could not be sent to htm and his repiiea n
ceiyed by mail, rne proposition wus not ucceded t.
and Caster ramo Rast iu obedience to a subixrna (iron
Clymer s committee). ' (,ro||
Williamsport (Pa.) Sum.-Grant has revenired him.
?elf on General Custer lor taetifving ,n ibe nSfw of tS
p.iet.tra.lerabip iramls hy relieving bin ofb? ?>m.
maud. Grant s conduct is simply outrageotL
Knfaula (Ala.) 7"imm:?Geiieril ('naiM ?...
is '""..'Jr. i sss:
?,!ag.^T,'cSg;rg
rrpiss r
't-5" -
bis rML'iineiit . ... i. .brovet rnnk, snd goes te
eral lerri ?u. r?? i ? a* < "eul<,||n?l colonel. Gee
wars ni him '* command ol the troope that
er.ll ( uster m ?n r8 h.c buc*lnu ? politician Gen.
the ilr-i titiie Ii L considerably ehapfallen, aa thla la
?? no,y' CXCBf? aa a ?d