The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-25
JEALOUSY In CONGRESS
INTERPRETERS WITH THE VEL
FARE OF THE COUNTRY.
A Plain Truth Plainly Spoken by Mr..
Abraham Hewitt, Who Thlaks
He n ill not Be Candidate.

New YORK, September "a In con-
versation yesterday with a Tribune re-
porter Congressman AbIam S. Hewitt
said in regard to his candidacy for
Representative in the Flftieth Con-
gress: ~ cannot say as yet whether |
shall be a candidate or not. There
may be conditions under which |
might accept denomination. / DO
not really see that there is sny reason
why ] should go back, however. l
have been there twelve years endeav-
oring to do what believed was for the
general good, but when contemplate
the result OF my work 1 am forced to
admit that / have been a failure. 1t
really seems thai ] have no Influence
whatever"
ITO what do you attribute this re-
sultY" was asked. SIS it due to the
ignorance OF members as to the real
needs of the counlry?"
ooh, well, | do not like to call it
ignorance" replied Mr.. Hewitt. "Of
Coun there Is more or less ignorance
manifest when it comes to dealing
with the greater questions which per-
tain to business aGd commercial ad-
vancement. But, in my opinion, this
condition, of things is largely due to
individual jealousy of leaders. Each
one appears to be afraid that the other
will reap some personal advantage if
certain propositions are Carried for.
ward and hence this clashing of iu-
terests. Now, it is all wrong to con-
tinually advertise the Democratic
party as absolutely in favor OF free
trade. 1t is not a free trade party,
and in its platform it declared directly
that while it favored the reduction of
taxation, it did not propose TO inter
fere with any business which had not
yet outgrown their necessity, but there
are many branches of business in
which protection is no longer needed
and to which the imposition of duties
upon raw material is a positive
injury. did what / could to secure
reformation in this direction
but finding it to be impossible to Sc.
cure action upon any bill which I'M
dertook to regulate duties, finally
prepared a measure dea ing simply
with the administration OF the Gus
UOub IdWb' lnlb Dlll was uHhDlmOub-
ly 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 MIR. Randall did precisely
the same thing in his bill. The result
was that it never reached the House
and never had consideration as a sep
arate measure. was powerless to Sc
cure such act on, but think that the
Speaker might, if he had been so dis
posed, have done much to insure &C
ton. He is a man of eminent intel
ligence and judicial fairness, bat he
seems averse to taking positive part
in shaping legislation. So far as | am
concerned, l had to confess that /
lacked the influepce and energy nee
essary to force action upon measure
which all parties agreed ought to have
been passed. 1t is in consequence of
this failure chiefly that l am com.
PEELED to recognize the fact that my
day has passed and that the CONNER
cial interests OF New York ought to
have a representative of more force
and greater ability to achieve results"