The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-07
A SIIIRKER AND TOlDY.
The Nomination OF II. A. willis Must he
Democratic Defeat.

To THE EDITOR OF The SUN-Sir. With
pleasure / have read the recent articles In THE
Sun calling upon all good citizens TO prevent a
return to Congress Of those members who stul-
titled themselves and betrayed their constitu-
ents by declaring sacred the spurious title OF
the present occupant of tho White House On
this record, rs well as others II is fitting that
several mon now in Congress should be retired
to private life.
That the Hon. b. A. Willis. who now claims to
represent the Eleventh District Of this state
comes within this category. will readily be adj
mitted. After tho prompt and complete exposG
in THE Sun Of his performances at the last Sos
sion 1t was supposed by many OF his former
political supporters that he would quietly re-
frain from seeking denomination.
A recently published interview with Willis
however bearing about 1t every evidence OF
careful preparation. is. without doubt a bid for
denomination. and notice TO his constitu-
ents that he will again seek an endorsement at
their hands
The present and prospective condition Of af-
fairs makes it of vital importance that n posi-
tive success should be achieved 10y the Democ-
racy in all the States in electlnQ their Congress-
mon, SO that the next House shall have de-
| cidcd majority TO cooperate with Democratic
Senate THIS Is clear to the minds Of Democrats
| everywhere. No Congressional district can af-
| ford to be jeopardized, much less lost The
! Eleventh District OF this city, on account Of its
vast property interests, Is conceded to be tho
| most important in the Union In 1876 the pres
| ent incumbent, after most active canvass. was
| elected by a majority OF about 400 votes this
too. at a time when his record was comparative
| ~ clear. and he had the benefit Of the enthu-
siasm awakened by Mr., Tidcns candidacy
| The question now IL. Can tho Democracy in
! the light OF recent events afford 70 rcnominatc
b. A. Willis - Assuredy not Furthermore. |
am OF the opinion that IN the event Of his can
| known
| always excepting, OF course. VIM. a. Darling OF
| Third Avenue Bank memory will defeat him
| by q most emphatic majority.
| You have heretofore expressed your opinion
| OF his conduct IN deserving his post in Wash
was needed. especially his. and pleading in ex-
| tenuatton 4 previous engagement to dinner IN
| this city. To many who knew the weakness OF
the man. this was n Characteristic effort to ap-
| pear in pretcntous company ut a time when his
absence would have passed unnoticed.
| In the interview referred to Willis Is intro
duced as having made for himself distin.
gushed record in denouncing the stupendous
fraud by which the people were robbed Of the
gladly peruso this record If 1t were produced
| I. for one, have failed to see my published ac-
| count OF his manly voice ringing through the
halls Of Congress in bold denunciation of this
stupendous fraud" and wa look in vain &c
find his narno among those who had the pluck
! 10 treat the Burchurd resolution as IL deserved
| That the course Of Willis in his capacity rs
Chairman Of the Committee on Naval Expendi.
| lures. in encouraging and approving payments
| on account Of the VIGOROUSLY fraudulent Robe
| son contracts. which even Brother Thompson
| OF the navy could not stomach. will be thor.
! oughly ventilated before his constituents IL
| very certain. and In this good work you will.
! am sure. lend n helping hand.
There are many things patient people vii
| tolerate in public man. hut hypocrisy il mo-
| one of these. find Willis using these words
So long as conspirator abides in Office 81
! long will Democrats deem II dishonOrable I,
| have any fellowship with this Administration.
! This hypocritical cant Will avail but little will
| the thinking men Of his district knowing n
| they do that 10y studied course Of ohsequlous
hess and toadyism. he has made himself an,
| his family such constant recipients OF hos
! pitality and recognition at social gatherings II
| the White House ~ to excite surprise.
Some one has said, II man deceive ms
once. shame on hun. II he deceive me n sec
! ond time, shame on me-" That the Democracl
| Of the Eleventh District have been once de
4 ceiVcd and their confidence abused Is the faul
! 81 b. A. Willis 1t is quite unlikely they vii
| take their chances again in this direction Al
| men respect an open foe. and n citizen viii
| Justly hesitate to cast his ballot for a politica
| mountebunk and charlatan. animated by M
principle but self-interest. and who is all thing
10 all men, everything 10y turn and nothing
long. No Congressional district in the Cnioi
contains more able Democrats than the Elev
cnth. and one Of these can be- elected. The can
didacy Of Willis at this time will most assured
result In the return Of a Republican Representa-
tive. To renominato him under existing cir
cumstances will be more than Il mistake. II vii
assume the proportions Of crime. EARNEST
NEW YORK. Aug, u,