Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-18
HON. RUFUS ,. AYERS.
4 Talk with the Ex-Attorney-GenerM
Abont Business and Politics.

Fx.Attorney- General Rufus A. Ayers was
e4 The Exchange Hotel Yesterday and was
called upon by representative OF the ms
pd'ch
In response 10 inquiries in regard TO the
material prosperity OF the Southwest. MT.
Ayers said real estate speculation was not
as active as il had been in the early part
ofthe wear. but everything was steady ana
firm where there ,oas any real merit. lie
is very confident and enthusiastic as TO
the ultimate future of the far southwest.
Mr.. Ayers is president of the Bie-Stone
Gan Improvement Company, and has been
intimately connected with all the INDUS.
trial movements for the development Oh
that section.
FURNACES.
Mr.. Ayers said he looked with great IN
terest to the furnaces now beng punt ~
Rig-Stone Gap, Bristol, johnson City,ano
Embreville, and believed as soon az they
were competed il would be easily dem On
strsted that Bessemer pig could be pro-
duced from the magnetic iron ores by the
use of Wise county coke under conditions
more favorable than elsewhere IN this
country. He says the growth IS not OF one
narticliler town or locality, but the entire
section from Roanoke to Cumberland Gap
Is prosperous. in which he reIoices.
THE NINTH DISTRICT.
In response 10 inquiries in regard TO the
political situation III the Nlnth congress
sional district SIR. Ayers said be was con,
fident that the Democratic majority would
be increased. There are no dissenslons IN
the ranks of the party. III presented
solid front TO the opposition. with that de-
termination and confidence which lnsures
surcess. He remarked that whilst there
were a number of worthy gentlemen IN
the district who would under other CIR
cumstances be candidates with GOOD FOL
lowings, he believed a renomlnation was
generally conceded to Mr.. Buchanan, who
would have no opposition IN the conven-
tion.
THE FORCE BILL.
Mr. Ayers WAS asked what he thought of
the Federal election bill.
He said the Republican majority IN Con-
gress had determined to pass the measure
at the present session and would use wnai-
over means were necessary TO accomplish
their ends. He did not share the views of
a great MANY Democrats as TO the dlsas-
trous effect the law would have II passed.
TIE EFFECT.
Whilst ne deprecated as much as anv one
could the unwarranted interference IN the
local affairs OF the States by law framed
for and plainly intended for the southern
States. he did not believe 1T would Affect
the south 10 the extent which had been
predicted bv some of the party leaders.
He said that II was not III the enactment
but IN the execution of the laws that they
became effective. and the experience of
the past had demonstrated the utter fu-
tilitv of attempting TO enforce laws whlcn
| were not sanctioned by the enlightened
public sentiment of Che communities over
which they were intended TO apply. This
| princlple. he cOntended. was inseparaple
| from free government. and would only be
| changed with the advance of tyranny.
REPUBLICAN MISTAKE.
He said If was time the prejudlced Re
pubGcan politicians were recognizing the
/ fact that there are certain evils, II evils
thev be. upon the body polite which can;
moi be reached by legislation. They should
see as every philosophic northern man
VINO has given the subject unpreludiced
thought has seen, that the questions which
| thev attempt TO solve 10y crude and iil,coi-
( sidered national legislation can only he
I solved by time, patience, and wise local
| legislation. suporinduced by changed con-
! ditious which can only come about Gr''-
dually.
HE is HOPEFUL.
Mr.. Ayers. who is naturally of buoyant
| and hopeful disposition. does not belleve
the political skies are all black, but Is con-
fdent tha: the action Of the majority
| during the present session of Congress has
almost insured Democratic House next
/ year.