The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-04-12
An interview with mn Ex.Member Of
Congress-,

the matters now pending before Congress
We embraced the opportunity to interview
him at some length in regard to tho out
look Of legislation at Washington.
Editor-CaptAin what Is Your opinion
in regard to the fato Of the appropriation
bills now pending before Congress-?
Capt. Dot which ono do you speak?
There is the army bill and the civil apprO-
priation bill. Each one has a rider. They
may meet with a different fate.
Elitor-As | understand it, the army
bill has q rider repeating the law authoriI'
ing the use Of troops at or near the polls.
That bill has passed the House and is now
before the Senate. Tho civil appropria.
ton bill is now before the House and has
arider repeating the jurors test oath, and
also one repeating the election law, or the
law proving for the appointment Of Super
visors at Federal elections in cities Of over
10000 inhabitants.
Capt. DYES, that Is correct; the army
appropriation bill has passed the House,
and the civil appropriation bill is in Com
mittce OF the Whole in the House. 1t is
not impossible that the army bill may re.
ceiyc the Presidents signature after it
passes the Senate, although that is doubt
ful. There is really not very much feeling
against the repeal Of either that law or
the Jurors test oath. The Supervisors
law, however, is al entirely different mat
ter. 1t is looked upon rs vital, especially
in n city like New York, where corruption
il rife ut the polls, and where 80 much
may depend on the vote OF so important q
State us New York.
Editor-Do you believe that the Demo-
cratic party in Congress will Insist to the
last on the repeal OF the Supervisors law,
and defeat all appropriations until it is re.
pealed?
Capt. d. can hardly think so. There
are Democrats in Congress who will hest.
tate to take such n responsibility.
Editor-What will be the effect OF an
adjournment without making the usual
appropriations? .
Capt. D.-As You are aware, several
departments Of the Government are
already provided for until June Sc, 1850,
by the Appropriation bill Of the last Con.
grGss; for instance, the Navy and the Post.
office Department. 1t is the Army, the
Judiciary, the Legislative Department and
the foreign service that are unprovided
for after June 30th Of this year. In case
Congress refuses to make the usual apprO.
prlation they will be left without any means
Of payment.
Editor-Could the army be kept togeth.
or after June Seth under any law now in
existence?
Capt. d. suppose it would be kept
together somehow, but there is no law
that would authorize the President or any
General, or any Quartermaster or Com.
missary to incur any obligation 10 pay or
subsist it. In fact there is q law that Cx.
pressly prevents the incurring OF any such
obligations.
Editor-Have you any doubts about the
Presidents course, n. to whether he will
veto the repeal of the Supervisors law rs
n rider on the civil appropriation bill?
Capt. d. can't say that | have. lex.
pect him to veto it. All the news points
that way. think the President and the
Republican party gre in pretty close ac-
cord nowadays.
Editor-DOn't you think the Ohio eleC.
ton will have its effect in the way OF in.
ducing u pause on the part Of Congress?
Capt. d. think so. 1t is well Calculat-
ed to have such an effect. The average
member Of Congress is Il calculating sort
OF an individual. He generally tries TO
gauge public sentiment, and | think the
Ohio election will be regarded us q
warning by q number OF Democrats.
EditOr-To what do you attribute the
raising Of the repeal issues by the Demo-
cratic leaders in Congress?
Capt. D. | am inclined to trace it TO
Samuel j. Tilden. When Congress met
last December there was no special evi.
dence Of any intention to raise such an
issue. 1t does not seem TO have been
seriously thought OF until after the holi.
days. 1t seems to have come 10 the front
as part Of the programme for carrying
New York
Editor-In case they can not hold the
party together OIL that issue in Congress
what will be the programme?
Capt, Dust what you see now going
on, a side.show diversion on finance; all
attempt to form a junction with the Green.
hackers.
E4itor-Do you think they can get up
IN absorbing excitement on that issue?
Capt. D. No, | hardly think SO. The
resumption movement is too much OF a
success for q serious reaction ut this late
day.
Editor-Do you look for an exciting
canvass in Ohio this summer and fall?
Capt. DYES, We will fight the Presi-
dental battle to a certain extentthis year.
There will be a grand trial Of strength in
the race for Governor. Ohio is the chosen
battle ground.
Editor-who will be the Republican
candidate?
Capt. D.-Thc signs are that TAFT will
be our nominee. Public opinion seems
to be settling down on him. lie will
make a very fair candidate.
Editor-Well, Captain, | suppose YOU
intend to take n hand as usual when the
fray on?
Capt. D.-l always expect to take an
interest in politics. 1t can't well be 9th.
crwise. | IN however, on the retired
list rs a public man. have settled down
TO the steady work OF my profession rs a
lawyer.
Editor-It is to be hoped that Ohio will
give a good account Of herself this fall. It
seems 10 be important that the reaction
that has brought the Democratic party
into power in Congress should now be
checked.
Capt DYES, 1 think the people look
at it that way. There is little or no divi.
sion in the Republican party now. Every.
body seems to be a stalwart once more.
You can see that by the let-up there is
in the former aEti.Grant sentiment. There
is an easing down Of that opposition.
Edltor-Do you expect Grant to be the
Republican nominee?
Capt. D:-ltlooks that way just now. II
o national convention we're to be held
this spring he would be nominated beyond
doubt.
Editor-Did you read the article from
Hnrpcr'S Weekly published in the IxrELLI.
GENcER Of to-day?
Capt Dies, and it is significant as