New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-11-18
Mr.. STEPHENS IN WASHINGTON.


READY FOR WORK AND PREPARED TO STAY Until
CONGRESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS on FlNANCh
AND THE DEMOCRACY.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WAsmNGToN, Nov. I7.-Alexander II. Stephens,
of Georgia. arrived in this city last night, and VIII
remain until the close Of the XLNth Congress.
To-day, in conversation with personal friend, he
said that he did not believe that the money issue
wa, the cause of the defeat Of the Democracy III
Connecticut New-JcIsey and newborn. ina.
issue had no more effect than did the Kansas Dill
in the elections of 1891, when the Democrats came
ont with only sXty-seven Congressman left. Al
that time great fears were entertained that the
party was ruined and that the tidal wave would
destroy its prospects for the Presidency. -" felt no
uncasiness," he said, " knowing full well that all
would come right. Tbs the first time | ever
acted with the Democrats and | predicted that II
the party would come out boldly and maintain the
principles embodied in the Kansas bill the party
would be triumphant and the result was that my
advice was taken and Buchanan was elected Presl-
dent"
In regard to the indications for 1880, Mt
Stephens said :" ! feel sure that the money qIcs-
ton its present shape Will not enter into the can
vass. / believe IN honest nancy. II looks now rs
though we have not sufficient and the bill matnred
III the Committee on CoinJgc, Weights and Meas
ure5 should have been passed by the House. Tho
Democrats need better leaders. The only great
leader the Democracy ever had was Stephen a.
Douglas. If the platform for 1880 is carefnIly
drawn, and good men are nominated, see noreasoh
why the Democracy cannot WIN
Mr. Stephens thinks that the letter OF Senator
Hill, in which he attacked the Administration, was
a great mistake and that it reacted on the Demo-
cratic party. That party. he thinks cannot win by
wholesale assault on the President.
He was asked what he thought would be the
effect of the publication of the cipher dispatches on
Mr.. Tilden's chances III 1880; but he declined to
converse on the subject and evaded it whenever It
was referred to during the conversation.
In conclusion he said The Democratic majority
in the next House will be four all and in the
future the Democracy must pursue conservative
policy and he cautious i'll legislation"
In q conversation to-day with reporter for The
Washington Post, Mr.. Stephens was asked for his
opinion regarding the Presidents recent change Of
policy. lie REPLIED MY answer to that is,
haven't seen any change of policy on TIE part Of
Mr. Hayes. As far as have heard anything from
him, IS that he intends to execute the laws as OK
pounded by the courts. This understood TO be his
policy from the beginning. MIR. HayeS's policy, ms
/ understood 1t from the beginning. was 10 with
draw the Fedora troops from the occupancy OF
State capitals where they had been for some time
before and To allow the people OF each state
respectively TO govern themselves under their own
State Constitutions as thcy pleased, pIOyideo tuy
violated 10 Federal law. This regarded as the
true Constitutional policy then and now, and Two
seen nor heard nothing from Mr.. Hayes inconsistent
with these principles, upon winch his AdmlniStra-
ton was based at the time OF It's inauguration.
"The foundation principles OF true JehersOnian
Democracy" continued Mr. stephens, (which are
the basis of all Constitutional liberty are law and
order and the enforcement Of the laws MI Hayeshas
done nothing contrary to this. SO far as am informed
and cannot why Democrats should ind tault
with any Executive Tor carrying out ther own luh-
damental principles. Mr.. Hayes has only as nm
dcrsand, undertaken TO carry out the laws, and II
Congress has made bad law II is not the l'IcSi-
dents fault. It's his duty to execute II, 1d II he
don't do it he's not fit for the place. Whether II Is
a moonshiner or bulldOzer, or anybody else II the
law has been violated 1t Is the Presidents duty TO
enforce IT."