The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-01
RISING TO EXPLAIN.
The Hon. Fernando Wood Prevented from
Telling what he Did In Congress.


The announcement that the Hon. Fer
nnndo Wood would speak to the voters Of the
district that he represents in Congress attracted
about 800 Democrats TO the National Assembly
Rooms In West Forty-fourth street last evening.
Mr.. Wood stepped upon the platform at 8
o'clock. and waving the formaliiy Of organiz-
ing the meeting. at once began his speech. lie
said that the meeting was called by himself.
and not by any party or COMMITTEES. He be-
licvcd that each representative Of the people
should often give TO his constituents nm account
Of his Stewardship. and he had therefore called
the people OF his district together. Tint he
might tell them what no had done in Congress.
After this explanation Of the object OF the meet
inG, Mr.. Wood declared that ho would tell whnt
had been his action on the great questions that
werc discussed in Congress since ho was elected
I'm 1876.
Tho most important question that Congress
had before II since then" he said. was to as-
certain who wns elected President Of the United
States. Wo all knew thnt Samuel J. Tiden was
elected by n large majority OF the popular vote.
That fact was undisputed. The Democrats in
Congress knew that they Ind fairly secured n
majority in the Electoral College But we also
knew that we had TO contend with party who
had possession OF the Government. the United
States Senate the United States army. and its
General That pnrty had the sword and the
purse. Its leaders told us that under no cir
cumstances would their party give mp the pos
session Of the Government; that whatever the
result Of the count might be- they would de-
clarc their man elected and would maintn n
that declaration II necessary, at the point oil tho
This assertion Of the speaker wns received
10 iishtYS "Ycz bad T no Tbaekbone." %ycz went
| back on us" and cheers for John Hardy. the
| Democrat who intends to run against Mr. Wood
| Mr. Wood buitoned his coat and folding his
hands behind him. waited unit order had been
| restored Then he began an elaborate explana-
| ton Of tho hill which created the Electoral Com
! mission. Hesaid that II wns agreed upon with
and the advice Of the ablest and best tried mon
| who had ever represented the Democratic party
| in Congress. It's constItutionality WAS never
| questioned by good lawyers, either In or out oI
! Congress. The men who were put upon that
| Commission were ot the most eminent IN Con
TINT tribunal betrayed its trust. md deceived
the people. " | resisted 70 the best ot my nbil-
ny.' Mr.. Wood added. THE consummaton OF
At this point Nh Wood was interrupted by
cheers for Denis kearney, and cries of: You've
sot 10 soft thing this time 2id man We
Mr.. Wood did not wait for order this time. but
pointing toward tn" part OF the. room from
| which the cries came. he said: Paid ennis
saries Of the Black Republican party have been
| sent her" to disturb this meeting. This is my
| NlP"tlflk. anu l am nottO hf put lpNu py Sufil
| means. l don't come here to ask for votes.
don't want your votes. ] came here as an inde-
pendent Democrat, to explain nv acts Hs a
Representative IN Congress. and will not be
| put down bv tramps.
This was greeted with cheers. Kisses. and
cries Of 8 Who made us tramDs" and We
| want work"
Mr.. Wood thereupon tried to quiet the audi
| ence hv appealing To them as Democrats
urging thsn not 70 desert their tried friends for
men who wished to use them at the polls. But
the appeal was useless. The shouts Of Give
| louder than before. Then the police came tC
the rescue and put several men out of the hal
amid cries OF There GO the Greenbackers."
Mr.. Wood thereupon changed his tactics, and
after explaining that he had bcen forced u
speak OF himself. proclaimed himself to he IN,
friend OF the wort ngman. and 70 prove his
assertion. said that when he wns Mayor OF thi,
city no founded the Central Park. organize,
protection for the cmicrants who landed a
Castle Garden. broke up tho Know Moth nl
party. and sent the Angel Gabriel. one Of II,
chief apostles, 10 the city Prison rs u vagr'nt
and put hundreds ~ poor men TO work durns
the hard times in 1853.
This part OF his speech was well received hu
his peroraton urging his hearers 10 stand by
the Democratic party ELECTED but faint applause