Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-02
A Card from Mr.. wise.

In your issue Of to-day you publish
interviews with several councilmen in
which some supposed interference on
nv part with Council matters is made
the pretext for their action in the eau
Gus and for becoming reformed Re-
formers. Permit me TO say in reply
that my whole action in the premises
has been confined to friendly aud in
formal conversations with portion OF
the Republican members of the Reform
Council, and that have never, so far
as 1 now remember, passed q word
with any member Of that Council who
is or was 9 Democrat or supposedto be
Of Democratic antecedents or proclivi-
ties. did not even see several Of my
Republican friends in the Council.
As to the pretence that l have at
tempted TO interfere In the selection Of
thespersons to be chosen, it is equally
untrue, save in one instance where re-
commended two friends to the support
Of the Republicans TO whom l talked,
and one Of those was not chosen. My
whole advice was directed to a general
line Of policy to be pursued by the Re.
publican friends with whom 1 talked,
and, as can be testified by several parties
seeking nominations, both Democrats
and Republicans, | expressly declined,
although under obligations to some of
them for support and kindness in the
past, to become q party to any struggles
between persons for office.
Ny general suggestions to the few
Republicans with whom talked were
as follows: !. That to make success
full coalition of the Reform elements
they must be prepared to make conces-
sions to elements heretofore opposed to
them. 2. That they ought not to be
too exactiDg in their demands for recog-
milton of Republicans as such, or Of the
colored people. 3. That they ought not
to be too radical in turning men out Of
Office where no ftsubstitute could be
found for the incumbent; but where a
RefoYmer could be found equally CON-
petent with the incumbent it was their
right to place bin in the position, regard
less Of " neither he had been Democrat
or Republican.
Surely the skins Of these boilers are
very thin if it has come to the pass that
/, who was thoroughly in sympathy
with and worked for their election, can
not confer with my fellow-RepublicAns
as to the best course to insure the sue
cess Of the movement without giving
them offence. Is it credible that
they would have made such objections
before their own election? | do not
doubt they would have been delighted
then at any talk might have had with
the Republicans advising support OF
the movement. This tender sensi6ility
is like the point they raise touching the
councilmen Robinson and Adams. So
long as Robinson and Adams voted in
several meetings Of the caucus, as they
thouaht With ITEM, there was no objec-
ton whatever to their presence. As
soon, however, as Robinson and Adams
voted against their views they raise OBJ
jections that they are not Reformers,
but Republicans.
Another thing about which talked
with the few Republicans | met had
more reference and pertineucy to these
people who are now making me their
scspegoat.
warned my political associates to
beware and be prepared for an element
in the caucus which is always attend
ant on new movements--to wit, men
who, pretending to be with the new
movement, were really and at heart
against it. Some Of them, told them,
had no doubt been swept along with it
further than they originally intended
going, and would give back, while
others had pretended to be with it that
they might control it il possible, and, if
not, break it up.
The first class looked upon as only
negative losses as they would drop
out, but the other class was dangerous,
bad at heart, and had to DO watched
and guarded against. told them that
they had better watch for this element
among the men who had allowed both
sides to support them, for man who
is on both sides Of any question is not,
as . rule, 10 be trusted; but told
them also to watch for men among the
Reformers per Sc who had gone ostensi-
bly, as Reformers, but with the purpose
at heart Of keeping the caucus under
their control for the benefit of the old
ring, or else to break IL up in row and
secure the same end by another method.
What has happened shows was no
bad prophet.
l am not in politics now. | do not
want any Office. In q few days will
leave Virginia for long absence, and
] do rot propose to take any part in
any effort TO pursue these parties for a
betrayal Of tie peoples trust on q
mere false pretence. have no feeling
against them, and do not know one
Of them even by sight. But when
they come before the people to vindi-
cate their behavior in this matter
have no idea Of permitting them to
weave any bugaboo story about me, OF
10 use ii As a screen TO protect them
from the consequences Of their mex
cusable conduct. During the war,
whenever Federal soldier turned COW.
ard and ran away, he always plead as
an excuse that he had been fired upon
by o "masked battery" In latter
day politics the plea Of "John Wise "
| or " Billy Malone !" is used in the
same way. Respectfully,
JOHN s. WISE.