Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-18
4 Card from Hon. John \. Wise.

TO the Editor OF the DlSpdtch:
In your issue Of September 18th | find
the following illusions TO myself in what
purpOits 10 be the report OF a speech by
Hon. George d. Wise on Tues lay night, in
this city:
John Wise had never been in the House
- but once before he was with the sherman
a." committee. slandering the people Of Nir-
" gina, charging them with being murder
'trs and aSsaSsins."
lie Ubc speaker had advocated the i'm
prCyement OF the james river, and John
Wise and General Malone went to the
" Senate and tried to defeat It."
These people have sought every opp1r-
"tunity TO stab Richmond. The appro-
pTiatiOn he asked Tor 10 extend the Gus
lom-housc would have given employment
ito every stOne-cutter in Richmond.
Why was il not Law: John Wise, who
wanted to get some credit for il. went
" around the Senate and logrolled to pre-
vent it,"
These statements OF Mr. Wise. If made
by him, are most remarkable. not only As
having no scintilia OF Justification, but 4,
ccntradiCted by the Congressional! Record.
Whether he made the statements or not.
they bayc gone forth TO the public, and |
fCel bound TO correct them. ! had hoped,
rs am candidate for no office. to escape
this sort OF controversy in this campaign,
especially with MIR. Wise. between whom
aud myself relations exist which are not
cordial or friendly.
| will indulge in no debate with Mr..
Wise a. to my course before The Danvile
Investigating Committee. | did what
believed, and stiIl believe, Wa, right, and
AS did not consult him beforehand | am
utterly indifferent TO his opinion now.
will contrast my testimony before that
committee with his and submit the quc>-
ton Of the Intelligence, the moderation,
and the lrulhlupess Of the two DISPOSITIONS
to any fair tribunal. His views and my
own both as TO the occurrences st Danvilc
and the anmus and import thereof differ
so radically that see no good that eau be
accomplished by further discussion.
ignore the language OF Mr.. Wise in
which lie refer, 10 me as 4" slandering the
people OF Virginia" because | know his
vocabulary is limited, aud his style and
temperament such that he is in the habit Of
using violent phrases where more temper
ate expressions would be more appropriate.
lie falls into an error quite common with
BOurbons when he imaGincs that | spoke
Of 1.-The people CT Virginia" in my te.ti-
mony. ! spoke OF the BourbOnS OF Vir-
ginia-qulte a different thing from the
pcop.e Of Virginia" however inJispOSed
he and Others OF the Bourbon party may be
TO admit it..
Ii Mr. Wise stated that | went 10 the
Senate, or anywhere else. to defeat the I'M
prOvoment OF James river. nothing could
be more utterly without warrant OF truth.
] was called to my home by sickness i'm NV
family nearly month before Congress All.
iOurned; but ] was there TO vote. and did
vote, for the river and harbor bill in ITS
preliminary stages. | was surprised and
regretted to hear the James-river appropri-
alton had been reduced, when | read il in
the papers here. have never believed in
the utility or the practicabilty OF the James
river Improvement scheme, but voted for
1t, and would ALWAYS do so. being more
than willing 10 test IL TO its fullest extent at
Government expense.
II Mr.. Wise is correctly reported above
concerning my course on the bill for ex-
tending the Richmond custom-hOuse he
has not only struck very wide OF the mark
Of truth, but has slngularly short mem.
DRY. The following are the facts: Long
before Congress met DR.. Gilmer consulted
me, as wss natural. being Of my party. to
procure passage Of 9 bill to extend our
custom house. Immediately on the assem-
bling OF Congress Mr.. Wise introduced
bill appropriating $4,000 FOR that purpose.
I offered bill appropriitlng 100000.
Both were referred TO the House Commit.
tee on Appropriations. Mr. Wise and my
self attended n meeting OF the committee
togetherat the rooms Of Hon. Kasey Young.