New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-24
MIR. HEWITT DISCOURAGED.
JEALoUsrEs OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
THE OBSTACLES he MET IN SEEKING TO HIVE
rARIYY ouEsTroNs TAKEN UP

THE OBSTACLES He MET IN SEEKING TO HAVE
TARIFF QUESTIONS TAKEN UP.
In o conversation yesterday with TRrnux.
| reporter Congressman Abfam g. Hewitt sa,d r.
regard to bis candidacy for Representative In A..
| Lth Congress.
al cannot say as yet whether shall be candid...
| or NOT There may DO conditions under which mi.hs
accept renomination do not really see that thar.
Is any reason why should 20 back. however l hsve
been there twelve years sndoavoring to do what I
believed was for tho general good but when con,
template the results Of my work forced to ALMA
that have been failure. thought time thsA
accepted the position might be able to do some good
IN tho way Of securing legislation which would be of
advantage TO the people generally, but after ali the
time thus spent find my labors to have been In vain"
al presume said the reporter, that you do not
mean these remarks for publication
ayes, yes" replied Mr. Hewitt; q the sooner it is
understood the better I have left my business and
gone TO Washington each winter for the purpose Of
contributing what could the shaping OF legislation
in the interests Of the people. TUE TRIBUNE does not
agree With me In oil have done. but It has always
treated kindly and with fairness But leaving
rarty entirely out Of tho question my aim has always
been to act In accordance with my best Judgment In
whatever pertained to the general welfare but as
say have not succeeded. 1t seems really that have
had no influence whatever"
ITO what do you attribute this result :" was asked
IL 1t due the ignorance of members TO the real
needs Of the oountryf"
ooh WELL do like to call it ignorance replied
Mr.. Hewitt Yet OF course there lie more or less
ignorance manifest when 1t comes to dealing With tho
greater questions which pertain to business and COM
mercal advancement But In my opinion this con-
don Of things largely due TO the Individual jealousy
of leaders. Each appears TO be afraid that the
other will reap some personal advantage If certain
propositions carried forward aud hence this
clashng OF interests. Now. 1t is all wrong to con-
tinually advertise the Democratic party as absolutely
in favor of Free Trade 1t is Free Trade party
and in Its platform declared distinctly that while It
favored the reduction of taxation it did not propose
interfere with any business which had been created by
protective duties and which had not yet outgrown
their necessity but there are many branches OF bust
ness in which Protection is longer needed and to
which the imposition OF duties upon raw material
positive injury. All the money which Is paid for
duties pon raw materials is In effect deduction from
the fund which otherwise might be applied to the pay
ment Of labor; hence the workingmen OF the country
have the strongest possible interest the reformation
of the tariff did what could to secure reformation
this direction, but finding 1t to be impossible to
secure action upon any bill which undertook TO regu
late~ duties, finally prepared measure dealing
simply with the administration Of the Customs laws
This bill was unanimously approved by the Committee
of Ways and Means but Mr. Morrison, the chairman.
insisted upon attaching it to his bill involving change
of duties and Mr. Randall did precisely the same
thing in his bill The result that it never reached
the House and never I'd consideration a separate
measure was powerless to secure such action but
think that the Speaker might If he had been so dis
posed have done much to insure action. lie is man
of eminent Intelligence and judicial fairness but no
seems ayerse to taking positive part In shaping leg-
is ation SO tar as am concerned. had TO confess
that lacked the influence aud energy necessary to
force action upon measure which all parties
agreed ought to have passed. Ii Ia IN consequence OF
the fact that my day has passed and that the CONNER
cul interests vi Newf0rk ought TO have representa-
tive of force and greater ability TO achieve re-
suits II thought could accomplish this necessary
legislation should not hesitate 10 accept renomna-
ton even at the risk OF finally breaking down IN
health bot to do this without any hope OF in
occurring the reforms to which have devoted my pub
nze OF course that experience and long service arc
valuable qualities and might be of In counsel
where fail in action. But my advice has not been
taken and coniess feel very much discouraged"
Mr. Hewitt was asked e. TO the probability OF
Edward Cooper accepting County Democracy nomi-
nation for MAYOR. He replied .
Mr.. Cooper Ia pubc-s spirited citizen. and would
never hesitate to public duties II he believed
his services actually demanded. do not know
that he would take that view at the present Iuncture
Of affairs. However, that Is a matter which rests
entirely with hun. lIe will sail from Havre next
Saturday and will consequently be due here in about
days lie will then be able to speak for himself"