The New York Herald Newspaper, April 30, 1871, Page 6

OUR OWN DELBGATION, Interviewing the Congressional Heroes of This City. Their Views on Politics and Parties, Ku Klux and Corruption, Free Trade, Finanee and Fenianism, Fun, Figures and Faney. Revenue Reform the Ruling | Issue of the Hour. “Superior Fishing” on Presidential Peculiarities. Fenian Roberts on the Joint High. Leather and Findings in Our Parlia- mentary Perplexities. OUR GLORIOUS SUNSET ON EVERYTHING, The President and the Sis- ters of Charity. Sharp Demecratic Criticisms on Mr. Graut. If You Want a Military Governor He is Your Man. The Coming Occupant of the White House. Though exhausted by the toil and anxiety of a session which has dragged its slow length along all through the winter, oar New York Congressmen, with one exception, have cheerfully consented to | report to their constituents, through the columns of the HERALD, the more salient features of the history and legislation of the jast session, and to give a care- ful diagnosis of the political maladies under which the country is suffering, and the best means of curing them. Such a collection of the views of some among the most prominent political minds in the country cannot fail to be of the greatest interest and the greatest utility, It witli be noticed with what care our Congressmen discriminate between the living issues of the present and the dead ana decided questions of past. This enables us Wo better realize what we = are apt to forget—thar the world does not stand stall; that we are daily making history; thatthe past and the things of the past are constantiy fading oar of sight, and that, intensely as certain issue the 80 tame stirred our patriotic pulse, they have given piace io a new generation of political problems, We present below our budget of mterviews, SsMUE. ©. (OX ‘the representative of the MustaLo first bent “his “Anterviewmg”™ steps to the resitence of Mr. 8. S. ox, the member for the Sixth district, {n spite of the severe labor entailed upon him by an unusually protracted session—and Mr. Cox is known us one of the most conscientiousiy laborivus menivers of the House—the brilliant author of *1ieht Years in Con- gress’ has returned to New York im pretty good health and in the best possibie “political spirits.” As wiil be seen irom What follows, be looks upon the success of the democracy in the fortucoming campaign as certain 1 they continue to listen te the eame moderate couusels that have recently go erned their action. “What do you think, in a general way, about this gust ciased session of Congress. Mr. Cox’ began She interviewer. “Well, my Opinion avout it is that Congress ought never te have met until uext fall; or that if it aid meet, it edould have adjourned immediately after organization = =The best thing it has done se far is to die—the only pity 18 that it did not die as soon as it was born.’’ “It was Well, at any rave, (0 discuss your resolution ¥ bring down the amount of aunnal taxation to 250,000,000 °° “Om, i Congress sat at all it ought certainiy (o deal with the most important issue of the hour.” THE NATIONAI. FINANCES. “Some of our folks here think your calculation Jat a shade too roseate in tts coloring “Not at all, Iwill tell you how | make it up, aud you will see at once that that sum 1s ample to over all the carrent expenses of the government, and, in adaition, to allow of a bagateile of $25,000,000 manually to be devoted to the destruction of one of tne blessings of the war—the national debt. The (otal expenditure of the government in 1860 was $66,000,000. I allow thirty per cent increase on that for our growth in population; and, again, J allow ten per cent for the «depreciation of the cur rency. Add to that the expenses of the Iadian Bureau and Pensions and the interest on the public debt and you will have # grand total of $226,690,000. That lea about or $24,000,000 out of the $259,000,000 raised for the flual extincuon of our obligations. There's nouning in the least Utopian or extravagant in such an estimate, and the democratic party are going Into the coming campaigs ou tmg basis—that if the wood sense of American taxpayers will give them the opportunity to do it they wilt cut down national taxation more than a hundred miliuions, The one Political need of the hour w #n honest end evono- ‘ducal ad ministration."” “Your resolution was debated, but not passed “Yes: but [have no doubt it would have been if 1 could have gota direct vote upon it. They always referred it to a committ br to some committee that was vo be, because they were anxious that such # resolution, if made at all, should come from the republice» side of the house. ‘ihe discussion on my resolution developed SOME CURIOUS FACTS thoagh.” “Such as —*" “The most singular fact was the evidently keen desire of « certain class of republicans to claim that Mey had not beeu recreant to the revenue reform policy, upon which they had been elected. 1 refer, of course, more especially to the Northwestern mem. vers—men like Coburn, of Indiana, But we brought them up with asbarp turn. | putit to tem why tt was that in the last Congress, wuen they bad a ‘wo-thirds majority aud when they all recognized the pressing need of cutting down the expenses a Jeast a tiundred millions, they had falied to de They made no answer, except a few gives at som Vifteen democrats, Who had failed to vote buips. They had no answer to make; they have no xXcuse on earth to pat forward for their wilful neg- ject to fulfil their promises to their constituents.’ “Bot this resolution had some direct effect, hadn't |) in the suape of @ uiing 4 committee, or some- litng Of that kine , “Well, senator Sherman offered a resolution tn ‘the Senate that the Finavce Committee snoutd eXa- coe the tart ana report a revente taruf next ses- son, iis resolution bad beea copied for mine. Plready offered weeks vefore in the House; but Avhether 1 is a sincere resolution or not ume alone re sho “ih it Was considered by our side as a dodge tie repeal of ihe salt and coal davies.” rep ablicaus seeu waclined to pul a bold face s may have at one | we Tree | | damages and so f | mittee. | responsible | very considerably, NEW YURK HERALD SUNDAY, APRIL they talk onough on their past financtal poli about tte? “Yes, in this debate on wy resolution several 0 them boasted that they bad cut dowa tixauon eiguty-inree millions of doliars—the same DELIGHTEUL PLCTION that Morton has venuiated tu his speect at In- tunapolis. But we pulled them up short agam oo that point. Mr. Brooks and myself bout ht the truth plainly out—that, tuatcad of a reduction im the tartif, there has been an actual increase of ‘over Ove millions in this year over last. And let me give you the exact figures; they speak louder than anything else. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1870, the customs Tevenue Was $1 94,535,000, and for the year ending June 30, 1871, ven or eleven months of Which have aire: bu, the receipts will he nearly $200,000,000, $5,000,000, as Ihave said, more than last year.’” “This Fevenue question 13 to New Yorkers, of course, the grand question of the hour?” ‘Not alone to New Yorkers, bat to the whole country. ‘This Anancial question 18 going to decide the next capipeien. My judgment is that the so- called republican revenue reformers, especially (me men in the Northwest, will be driven by public sentiment to ple themselves to a reformed taritt 1n their platforms, and they will have to embody the same principle in their jegisiation at the next ses- sion, and will pitch over the uitra protecuonists, ‘hey are mortally afraid that the democratic party 1s going to make REVENUE REVORM its special shipboleth im the political future. And their fears ure well founded. No matter what the republicans do, we shall make that the strongest plank in our platform. We have not got more than haif a dozen men on our side who are unwill to vote for such measures, My belief, indced, 1s there is gomg to be quite arivalry between demo- crats and republicans as to who shall ve first im the work of fiscal reform. It 1s a political necessity. But while scarcely one-third of the republicans are in earnest avout this question the democrats are nearly unanimous for 1, and must, therefore, get the most credit im the outcome of the next Con- gtess. I saw this long ago, and urged its importance on Richard u'Gorman at the Rochester Cohvention last fall, and, at his request, the Committee on Reso- en inserted the words ‘ree trade’ in the plat- jorm.’' “Which was, of course, perfecly consistent with the traditions of the democracy" “Yes; bat now 11 18 Of Lhe (ast importance that we should keep ourselves right on the record. PRES TRADE is @ magical phrase; it means free trade under the constiiution and @ tariff for revenue oniy, Aud whoever may be the Presidential candidate for the democracy that idea will be on the banner he wiil hold, it will carry, beyond all doubt, the South and ‘Wwe Pacific coast and the Nortuwest, and nearly one- half even of the Pennsylvania members will have to Vote tor it, and if the rest don’t, so much the worse for Pennsyivania.’? “Bui you wou't ve able, with such a régtme, to PAY OFF THE NATIONAL DEBT as fass as Mr. Boutwell is doing.” “We are in no hurry to pay it off, There won't ve henceforward so much bragging about ihis, even among tle republicans, as there has been. itis now everyWhere understuod that this absurd policy is destroying the very sources of our revenue—destroy- lug the necessary weans for develuping our re- sources. 1 think $25,000,000 of the principal 13 enough for one year; that is dd cent of it”? *fuere 18 no doubt that a healthy free trade policy would revive the shipping interes’3 of New York.” “Yes, and in °67, al a speech in Columbus, | an- neunced the principle of tree trade in ships and the repeal of our navigauion law: AS long as they won't let us build ships—and With our present vari? Is simply impossible—I believe tuat they ougnt at least to give us the rightto buy them. That 1s the only way to revive commerce; the iakeshifts hith- ervo put forwara py Congress are avsolutely use- me 8 to the KU KLUX BULL, Mr. Cox, what ts your opinion of wat?" “The history of its passage 13 interesting. The original bili of Buder was consiautly vvjected to, and never got in. With tbe aid of Dawes, Farns- worth and the liberai republicans we succeeded tn having an Uivestigation instituted as preliminury to the passage of & Dil—if any bill at ali should’ be passed—at the next December session. Shetiavar- ger himseif avored us at first, but somehow, vefore dong, he got on the other side. We ten supposed we should adjourn without doing anything lurther aboutit, At tne caucus of the democratic party in reference to it some objection was made to the resolution by a few of the stiif-necked democrats, on the ground that Congress had no more power to Jovestugate iuto (his matter than wo legisiate avout it, But Voorhees, Keri, beck and some others among us spoke very strongly of the necessity of putting down ali lawiessness, aud at last tere Was ageneral acquiescence in voling for the resoiution. Shortly after we were astounded by tue i’resideat sending in bis messas There was theu a visible retreat On the partoi Vawes aud ali the rest, ex- cept Farnsworth, who siwwod firm as a rock, Snellavarger then introduced a Wil, which prot i Ww be LOL very stroag, but wich Was. very objectionaiie, and ib Was sent to @ com- i caume pack with some very ob- noxious meastres, both militury—such ap that relating to the suspension of the habeas corpus—aud avil—sucias the jury aud ovuer clauses. Alter a Struggle we got devate and the right to amend, ering. ‘The debate continued and & suurt one. Lt think it ate Lever heard im Congreds, ex- ept Chat on tie Couscripuoa laws. Ail the best men on both sides were eugaged, The result was im the House w considerable depresston of the vindictive Teaiing, which, by the Way, a5 18 Shown by the Am- nesty bili, has now very considerably subsided. The bi Was greauy moditied, aad had the democrats been present a the vote on the habeas corpus clause the bill wound lave gene to the Senate PREITY WELL BViSCERATED, In the Senate the Sherinan amendment was tacked on, Which makes all counties Labie for tne h caused by the outrages of the Ku Klax within inew coutines. That leature was fought very ably im the Senate by the democratic meu aud when itcame back to the House @ committee of conference was appomted on this and sume other toatters, Judge Poland was its chuir- man, and put tis Knife mto Sherman's amendment Mm a Very strong speect, taking the ground that the counties and Lowns could not ve touched by the fede- ral government, which was only empowered by the constitation to deal with the States as States. The Sherman amendment was tuerefore kuled, and in the place of it Was substituted @ WISAY-WASHY, NAMBY-PAMBY section, Which undertakes to punish individuals for nol preventing outrages—a@ most unheard of thtog. Lasked Mr. scofield, of Pennsvivania, what th meant to do with a provision like that, and he re- pled that it was of no utility aud was not intended w be. But it was adopted, and tue bill with iL. at of the republican members of Congress that i talked to about ft are douvtful as 10 the effect of the bil tuliy as@ party measure. Inf: they were so doubiful that they continued the in- vestigating commitice and made it a committee of twenty-one. “ ou are one of its members, are you not?" “Yes, We had a meeting the day after Congress adjourned, Mr. Scott, of reunsylvaula, im whe chair. ‘The gen ral in jon seemed to be that the bill had made oar Work & Work Of supererogation. But some of tue bitterest radical members imsisted on our going right on, There was, however, an oppo- sition that led tv a postpouewent of any action until the 17th of May, Whiea the comuittee will have be- fore thein the report of the sub-comiittee that meets on the luth, aud whieh is to prepare a programme. It is likely they wil postpone all iavestigation until the fail, When We slall Know the effecior the bili ai- ready passed.” “How do the MEMBERS PEEL e eXtremely anxious that it should be / only because the reports of the outrages have been attogetier exaggerated, but aiso and ehielly tv ewe are procuring trom the South m- formation as to the condition of the States under rad- cul rule, especially in respect to taxes and debts for Uaxes and corrapUons of ail Kinds. It is this suame- ful misyoverniuert which, in our opinion, is mainly tor iauch of the lawlessness in the Already we lave got reitable facts of the South. $22,000,090 | MOSt sturtiiug character, und there 18 going to be suck a showing up of radical misrule im the Bout as would elec! resident im ordinary tin You do wot belleve, then, that the Ka Kiux are sound deawcrats?” “1 believe that LAWLESSN ESS of all kinds on the part of the government or of tn- ividuais must be put down, — And tn order to take y nus even the shadow of responsihility for ldon't beleve iL 1s 80 Extensive as represented —ali the democratic members from the South have writ to thelr leading frienus tn the districts they repre- begging them to use every influeace, whether pe nal Or in the passage of local laws or otherwise, to suppress everytiing like secret political organtz ions, aud to sternly put down ail outrages of every Kind Upon any class of citizens, black or white. This has been done in good faith, and it is an earn- on of the conduct of Southern democrais in the acu “We aave heard a good deal abou THE DEFICIENCY BILL, that it is fall of ali sorts of unjust oughiy. 1 Know It started with $75,000 and soon got among ihe millions. It was made the packhorse of all tne discarded jobs of tie previous session. But we tad @ goud debate about it, and the House cut it down Ie went to the Senate and was again doctored—for the worse, of course. Finally, Mt came under (he hands of the ¢4 minities of confer- ence between the Senate and the ilonse. tn that commitice the House members were far more rigid tuan the Senators, and, thanks to Mr. the bili ery considerably reduced, at the next session, and has wou his piace by honest hard work. [do not Know all that tere Was in the peticleney bill.” “Do you know anything about the men Who nave iause enadliag ACURUTED A PARDON, oo proving their loyalty, tu recover war claima from the eat? There was a Jaw passed at the last session Which disallowed ali claimants Who had necep! pardon from the Jent from pros claims. | belleve a clause the Defies repealed that law, but what the cianse t Wiat Its effect is gomg to be, 1 do not vote for it because | dtd not up wiencver J dou’t understand a Uhlig | vote no. “bo you Unak Blaine was right in KEPUSING TO APPOINT COMMITTEES, When it was found that, although the tlouse was willing to adjourn, the Senate would not do so am uny; why, i he had appointed those tillees We should hate legislated along uot or July, Such legislation woul: e | slightest idea of civil government. satistactory, becnuselal the old, and cohsequentiy rly atl (te leading members, were tired out with the Work Of the winter. It we had kept on they would have been all the time running away home, aud no practical work Could have been done.” “But ow did you get on without committees ? “OF course, tie little Work we did was Very un- satusiactory, The House is now too {ull—witt 1ts 40 members—to be abie to get on without com- mittees.”” “I need not ask you If you agree with THE DEMOCRATIC ADDRESS 1"? “Well, there are one or two things I would like to say aboutit, Lmade the motion im caucus tor the address, giving as @ reasou that the democratic party shouid disavow all iawlessness, und especially tis Ku Klux tawlessness, it we expected to suc- coed in Connecticut or anywhere else, That was a week before whe Connecticut election; but action Was deluved 100 long to be of any good. A oom- mittee Was appointed, and though they were not directly instructed to that effect, is was geuerally understood that they Would embody in the address @ denunciation of the Ku Klux and pledge us to accept trankiy all the amendments to tho constitu: tion as foregone issues, aud not to be disturbed. The commiiee consisted of the members in the Senate and House who bad charge of the Ku Klux legisiation, ‘they prepared the uddress with great care and Deon it to the caucus, There was then considerable discussion, and there was SOMB RELUCTANCE SHOWN on the part of a few of the members from the border States and the South to signing an address, accept- ing the situaiion as to the amendments. But Gen- eral Slocum declared he would not sign the address it the word “amendments” was stricken out, and some others aud myself backed him up in it, So it Was retained, and ii republican pewspapers would publish the address, instead of falsifying it, the peo- ple would see that the democratic party have made an advance that romovea tke only tmpedinent to ‘their success in 1872, Why, it is generally conceded by the old republican members that their day 1s done if we maintain the ideas of that address and go to the country without being embarrassed by these Southera fire-eaters,”? “But ail ihe democratic members signed the ad- dress?” “Yes; the dissentieuts were peri few in number, @nd listened to our stions and arguments, and at last came w aohiers, and are gomg to fight it OUL OM Lhe line Of the a@adress all the summer and ‘ail the winter, too.” “That speaks well for the DISCIPLINE OF THE PARTY.” “Our order of march is an order ef battle—we are an unbroken pouaes. You should have seen te long taces and dejected air of the repuvlicans as our solid hundred members ilied now and then between the tellers. It was a change {rom the state of things & few years ayo, And the democratic party have not oniy increased in numbers, but also in the inteliec. tual force or their membera—in power of pithy &nd pertinent debate, ‘I'he new members have not yet fully tried, but we have seen enough of their calibre to know that they are men of vrilliant presen great useiuincss—especially the gentie- men from the Suath, who are real and true repre- sentatives not only of the ideas, but also of the cule ture and intelligence of their section.’’ “Who is going to be NEAT PRESIDENT, MR. COX?” “A democrat, I beiteve, but his name, or even his prebable name, no one as yet knows. ‘The demo- cratic party have not as yet shown any strong tacli- natton tor any particular man; they have scarcely, in- deed, discussed the question. The Pennsylvanians are anxious to have Hancock. The New Yorkers have not mentioned avy candidate, and have been more reserved than any other section of the Union, al- though they nave been urged by men from the South very ireyuently and earnestiy to give an expression of their cnoice. All of us are more anxious a great deai for the success of tne party than for that of uy individual.”’ “Grant will be his rival, of course?” “That is generally conceded by the republicans, but it is amusing to See with what a mourntul coun- tenance they confess it. But tuey nave no other candidate.” . “is there any likelthood of a SHAKE-UP OF PARTIES prior to the next Presidential campaign #” _“Noton our side, On the other, possivly yes. Now that the a question is out of the way, suf- Trage and all, aud the amendmenis all accepted sin- cerely and Without any arrire venséé, 1 think the democratic party will very itkely gather into 1s fold. @ large element of the old democracy—the free soll and war democrats, This is indeed a certainty, if they pay suitictent attention to revenue refor! which, is, In my judgment, the grand issue of 1 OU. i ROBERT B. ROOSEVELT. Mr. Robert B. Roosevelt was the next Congress- man visited. He has come back tousin the same Splendid physical condition as when he left New York a couple of months ago, the well won laurels of civic triumph still fresh upon his brow. He is sul, a8 tien, the picture of robust and vigorous heuith, and possesses, unimpaired, the same wonder- ful flow of exuberant gayety, and the same inexhaust- ibie fund of wit and humor. His frame, hardened by many @ pleasant campaign among the feathered and the furry and the finny tribes of earth and sky and water, will doubtless snecessfully withstand the feverish work an‘ yet more feverish dissipation of many another trying season at our poittical capital. “What do you think of the DEMOCRATIC ADDRESS, Mr. Roosevelt?” began the writer. “Well, the most curions fact about it is that it is the iruit of a close and determined alliance between the war democrats of the North and the extreme secessionists of the South. Tne men from al! sec- tions who really make up the strength of the party all altke stood on this common piatform—that they frankly agreed to accept every recent amendment to the constitution, negro suffrage imeluded. in the caucus that drew up the address the ouly men who dissented trom the the expediency of thus finally getting rid of all the dead Issues of the war were the Northern ex- tremists—mien of the stripe of Pendleton and Val- landigham. Most of these politicians belong to the border States, which during the war were divided in sentiment, and which did not deciare for the revets, but only halt-heartedly supported the government. The extreme Confederates frank!y say that they have abandoned all desire to change the course of recent legislation. We had no trouble at all with them." “And as to the CONDITION OF THE PARTY {” “it was never better. The democracy now pre- sent a solid frontto the enemy. Its leaders are all perfectly wiiilng to listen to reason, and, with a very few exceptions, are absolutely unanimous m their views as to what is the true policy of the party in the future. Even the very few extreme men whom I have referred (0 showed admirable good sense, and seemed quite wililfig to acquiesce in tne decision of | are thieves, whom they must watch ut every the maority, and to be convinced that} turn, and ecjgiron std in es na eh i ‘i ‘ bod aia ge tacy possipiy can. ‘The peopic are not al- they are wrong if gout reasons were | to get out an’ Injunction to prevent the col- given them. Every democrat that 1 saw at | jection of either customs or revenu A man may, Washington had made up ins mind tomake no | perhaps, honestly ditfer with the government aboat further efforts to upset What has been done, or to turow us ali back into hot water again. On the contrary, they accept the situation just as itis, and are resolved to put an end to the shaneful extrava- gance and corruption of republican administration, and to check the startling and dangerous tendency, fostered by republican principles, towards extreme central “1 su about the next PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN?” “Well, there is a good deal of talk aboutit already, of course, but very likely tt does not amount to much. I belteve everything depends upon the man We put Up as candidate. We imust have a man who commanus vhe hearty respect and entire confidence ot the people. Then, again, funds are necessary to carry on the campaign successtuily, and they can only be raised by Tammany Hall. ‘Th have immense pecuniary resources, and of money is needed tor great political siragie. TAMMANY HALL therefore practically hoids the nomination of the next democratic candidate for President. Her discretion aod good sense and patriotism will bring us either vietory or deteat. Oniy four or fve names have, so far as 1 Know, been brought prominently forward on our side, Hendricks, of indiana; Thurman, of On10; dohn T, Hoitman, of New York, and General Han- cock, Hancock 18 a very strong man and would carry @ very large share ol the soldier vote. Even against Grant he would probably get a majority of the soldiers, His war record is brilliant, and his persenal popularity was and i8 quite as great as Grant's, to say the least about it.” “Who will 8 much too early to hazard a guess a good deal legitimate operations of a THE REPUBLICANS be likely to ran?” “Weil, my opinion is that they have got to run Grant, whether they like it or not. Taey nave no ower prominent man against Whom there are not very sirong objections, on one ground or another, Sul, there was scarcely a leading republican in Washington who was not talked of as a possible candidate against him, and Speaker Blaine was talked of a great deal. Grant has, of course, caused no end of trouble in his party and has some very bitter and very influential enemies. But who else can they pick out for a figurehead #7 “What is your PERSONAL OPINION AROUT GRANT"? “Well, personally, and apart irom his polities, 1 uke him very well, But he has no political expe- neace, and he ts not the kind of man ever to ac. quire tt. He may be a good soldier, and, perhaps, Jew men are better hited to rale over ns if’ we are to have a mulitary government. But ne has not the Milttary rate is the only rule he understands: and, so far as my ob servation has gone, | think he understands that per- feetly, He Js how, perhaps unconsciously, applying mulitary prinetples to the work of adiunistration, and Thonestly belueve i Congress will only give him power enougt he will give us abont vs strong and oe good a imiltary government as we could have. OF course that Would be a very different government to What we have been nsed to in the past, and tt 1s very diferent from what we Americans have hitherto supposed we sho ke. But we can have tt if We Wisk it, Geueral Graut wil give i Ww use—and stice as well as | pubdlicans * 30° ISTL- QUADRUPLE SHEET, tile best thiog of the Kind at that—if we only allow | in thateunwi drudgery which preys #0 sadly mim to do 80,"" upen the health leisure of large owners of real “What ts your opinion of the GENERAL CHARACTER OF LEGISLATION during the last session?" “We passed no interligent legtsiation of any Kind. How could we? There we were, expecting and hoping and longing to get away—begging the Senate to let us go—and eld there against our will, That Was soarceiy the best frame of mind in which to calmly discover the wisest course to be pursued. Day after day we asked the senators when the; Would jet us go home, and on Saturday they woul tell us we should adjourn on Monday, and when Monday came we would be then toid that we might pack our tranks for saturday, We bad no discus- sion On anything except the Ku Klux and Deficiency bills, Wich we Wied to do something the Senate prevented us, We passed resolutions in the House taking off the duties on coal snd on salt, bat they were Kiiled in the Senate. in tact, the Sen ‘te passed a resolution that they would do noting except set Ue the Ku Klux and the Deticiency bills.’” “Do you think Blaine was right in REFUSING TO APPOINT COMMITTZES under those circumstances }’" “Yea, The House passed two or three resolutions expressing 1ts wish to adjourn, and Blaine rightly interpreted them as a notification not to appomt any committees. ‘the result, of course, Was unsatisiactory—very much so, The bnsiness that we did had to be done irregularly; nothing could be properly examined, When any- thing new came up It was very Cunoy to see the members running round among each other asklug what this thing meant, und was'nt that thing @ fraud, and would it be safe to vote for tt. Congress degenerated into a sort of family party. I confess I don't know exactly all that was dene; | tried to keep track of it, but coulan’t.” “Do you remember any special instance of THIS KIND OF MUDDLING?"? ‘Dozens of them. Among the rest there was o bill introduced to buy the Arlinuton estate, I do not Know what ultimately became of it, but it was 80 obscurely Worded that no one could understand What was tntended to be done. Ail the members began to inquire around and I did the same, I called out to my next neighbor if he knew what it was, and he suid it was to purchase @ tract of a thousand acres—the Mount Vernon estate. I did not feel satisiied and asked some one else and was told it was to buy the Arlington estate, which turned out to correct, though 1 believe a very fair percentage of the members thought the Mount Vernon version was the true one, But we bad nothing like accurate infor- mation about it, and could not get it. The United States, it seemed, were already in possession of it, ana it might have been that they had a good title to it, Whether we were to pay $300,000 hold the graves of our soldiers sacred, or whether we were to Fond $300,000 toa rebel family as a donation we did not know and could not find out. This is one example of what legislation without committees and without debate amounts to, For of course they re- Tused to allow any debate upon it—“they almost always did.’” “But the Deficiency biil was of course the worst feature in this kund of thing of the session?” “Yes; they put ail sorts of legislation im tt that ougnt to.bave gone to the Committers and been dis- cussed, Some of these clauses were stricken out, but some, no doubt, that were utterly unjustifiable remained, ‘There were a good many private claims in the bill, of which people knew nothing.” “Do you remember any special instance of this reckless way of DIPPING INTO UNCLE SAM'S POCKET?” “There is one provision what by itself may cost us millions and millions of dolla It 1s a clause which provides that @ man, after having accepted a pardon for disloyalty from the President, shall not be debarred from pressing @ war claim against the United States government if he can succeed in proving his loyalty. But tf the man were loyal, why should he accept a pardon? Why did not he, in place of suing for pardon, disprove his guilt in the first instance? The mMtent of the clause is quite clear, and we shall have countless claims from rebels urged in the courts and elsewhere against the gov- ernment, And yet that clause was Introduced as an amendment to the Deficiency bill by that very radi- cal member, Maynard of Tennessee."’ “And pow as to THE KU SLUX BILL— I am afraid New Yorkers scarcely yet understand the exact story of its passage ?’’ “well, origipally Butier intreduced a bill on this sudject, which was very strong and very harsh, Many of the republicans were opposed to jt, and in urymg to get It introduced Butler had that cele- brated quarrel with the Speaker, at which the entire country laughed. Finally, in the place of Butler's bill, @ committee of investigation was appointed, which was regarded ae the close of the whole mat- ter. Then the President sent im his message, greatly to the surprise of everybody. It was a perfect sight to see the conservative republicans forced to wheel ito line; J enjoyed the fun immensely, though wt had a very sad and humiliating side as weil. The messuge wus received in perfect stlence, not one member in twenty knowing what to make of it, though we soon saw that Butler and Morton must pave had a hand init, Then another bill was bronght in, substautialy the same as that which was finally passed. The repuolicans hem. selves don’t kuow exactly what Chis {ast bill con- tains, and 1 have only a general idea o1 it,” “Butler does not not seem to unprove mach in popularity.” “No, There was another little incident that showed how tetyentiy HE 18 HATED even by his own party. Garrett, # Tennessee mem- ver, delivered part of a speech and obtained leave to print the restof ttimthe G@iode. In tis unspoken part there was a copied extract referring to senator Ames, Butler’ son-in-law, a8 @ puppy anda pol- troon, &c. Garrett said he did not endorse the par- sentiment of the people towards the tan who pre- tended to represeat them. Butier was mad and got Dawes to bring in & of censure against Garrett, although Garrett was an ofticer in the Union army and was wounded seven times, and n now carries three rebel buliets in lus body. That was the kind of man whose s| n they voted to sirlke out. After they had voted to strike out the entire speech irom the Globe—merely to please Rutier—a motion to recousider was made. ‘That motion never reached a vote, because Butier and the republicans unfriendly to nim got into another fignt, iu which Butler was worse bandied in Congress than Ames bad been in print, and finally the whole thing died out, Farnsworth caled wutler a sneak, 1 remember. f believe, under the rules of the House, a8 the motion to reconsider was not voted upon, the original motion was lost, and the speech still remains in the Globe, But it vas a lively episode, wasn’t 1ty” “AND SHOWKD pIscr- ADMIRABLE REPUBLICAN PLINE.” “Oh, at one point of the session Butler got per- fectiy disgusted ard said openly that the democrats nad got the louse. For some time he was beaten on everytuing he brougni up. On the free trade question we always had a majority, as there were enough iree trade republicans to give us victor: We passed several free trade measures in the House, but 1 beiieve they were kl.ed in the Senate.’ ‘Have you got an bring forward, Mr. Roosevelt “Lhave two bills, both aimed at the same gricy. ance—one with reierence ty the internal revenue | and the other to the tarif, which I shall tr Lurougi at the coming session, They ar to PROTECT THE PEOVLE the government. Herctofore the govern: cling customs amt interaal revenue, n the principle thas all its citizens against ment, in © nas acted the construciion to ve placed upon a parucniar statate, but if he attempts to dispute the question he wiil have all his bouks and papers taken from him and Ins whole business stopped. Here ts a case in pom A merchant ttports an inyolce of goods. He purenases tt at a certain price, and it Is in- voiced at the proper rate, fhe government difter from him about the Interpretation of the statute. He «emurs, and they seize ali his goods and books, and stop his entire business. What can he doy He can only yield, 1 Know one case ot the kind, where they seized not only a man’s bouks, bur also his family papers, and even his love letters to his wile before he was married, In this case tl man was rich aud he bonded the goods, But the United states government refused to give them up for stx years, und if they had not happened to be goods that do not suffer much by keeping they would have veen spoiled. As itis, he has Jost the Interest on his money during all that time. Now ail this respect is far less oppressive and arbitrary. It the English Custom House people think that the goods are undervaiued they seize them, hut they pay, the merchant the price for them marked ou the Invoice, and take their chance of getting back the money in the open market. Our system also throws terribie taciliiies tuto the hands of 1s oficiales for Ulack mail.’ “Have you avy opinion about . DOMINGO?” “That is a questic not very much trouble ourselves. 1 scheme Will drop out; Unat seems to be the general Impression at Washington. But Grant is a very persistent Man, and may, perhaps, bring ti up again.” A LAST WORD ADOUT THE ADDRESS. “Don't you think the wording of the democratic address just a little weak?” “It is not, perbaps, very strong in its languag: but if covers everytning. [ain airaid people hay scarcely staiied it enough. The words ace decided enough when you carefully weigh (neir erie mean. | ing.’ g : FERNANDO WOOD. in his next political raid the représeniative of the HERALD was scarcely 80 successful as in the preceding interviews. ile now bearued te flerce Fernando in bia den, at 116 Nassau street, but gained but litte by bis daring, Having watted a few imine ules in the ante-room, the windows of which were nds as arustically dirty as ever—dirt, by the way, a businesslike air to an omce, which not the biggist «of tron safes can to rivai—the reporter = passed = nto ew the The presence of the man with the white mustache, veteran was sitting at his desk, Which was litt © with law papers and notices of assessment end letters and accounts, He was evidgnty adersed ecial bills of your own to | sit that is wrong. A man should nave the right of bringing the ordinary proceedings agatnst | the government im the courts, the same as against an individ The English government tn about which we democrats did | cink the | agraph as trae, but simply quoted it vo show the | Peo) | Will go still further, though it 18 dificult to see how estave and bank stock and mortgages—and which, indeed, poisons their entire existence—the drudgery of looking arver his property. Mr. Wood rose with a biand and childlike smile that was worthy of ihe Heathen Chinee of New York polities, » “Glad to see you, sir; take a seat. Yes, [can balan an minutes, though I am dreadfully “We are collecting the views of our returned Con- gressmen, and J should be glad to put into HERALD ucupariel your conversitional views about the past session and the iuture of the democracy, and tue coming man for President, and anything else you aay desire to aay.” “{should be pleased to give you my views, be- cause I have a great respect jor the HERALD; aud— 1-5 ablated views have no im- ‘ou are too modest, Mr, Wood.’? “Well, then, again, Ihave my own opinion about What is @ proper and an improper way for @ public man to bring his views before his constituents or his fellow citizens. Whatever I say as a public man I tike to say im public. have spoken at Washing- ton upon every issue of the day—the Ku Klux, the Nuances and everything else—and my opinions are thereiore quite accessible to the few people who care to know what they are; but, now that I have come home, 1 leave the shop behind me. [have too much to do in trying to find out how much Tam- many politicians have left me of my property to have any ume to taink about politics.” “But there are some things you might like to say through the columns of a newspaper that you could scarcely say On the fioor of the House.” “Perhaps 60. But now—excuse my saying 1t— don’t you think the newspapers have run thing of interviewing just a little into the ground? Inter- well, but it has be- viewing at one me was all cone he ( verybody is inter- come an infernal humbug. viewed, from the nigger, Fred Douglass, up to Grant, who 14, however, too smart to say anything; and am sinart im just the same way. I am not w be interviewed, be- cause I don’t believe in it as a medium for coming before the public, You don’t mind my saying 80, do your because | shall always be glad to see you, and ive you any information I inion and perhaps you what I think about things if you wou’t print it in this, to me, obnoxtous form.” be. afternoon, Mr. Wooa.”’ “Good afternoon, sir.’? And the veteran there- upon began a fresh assault upon the confused mass of business literature that lay strewn on the desk before hum, WILLIAM R. ROBERTS. “Colonel, I have been sent by the HERALD to ob- tain your opinions on the state of affairs in Washing- ton?” “It is an extensive subject, only in Washington a short time? I went there as a democrat, believing the dlffer- ences between the two parties to-day were simply questions of policy, such as the tari! and finanee.”” “Were you disappointed then?!’ was; found belorel was there many weeks that there was a perfect grit between their princi- ples.”” “In what way?’ “Democracy has faith m the masses and believes that from the people springs ali the attributes of power. Republicanism as represented to-day by ‘that party puts all its trust im @ centralized autocracy."” “From what do you gather this opintoa?”’ “They profess to legislate in the interests of the people, but they have no faith in them. Look at their encroachments on the rights of the States as independent commonweaiths within the constitu- tion.” “Well, but—” “Wait a momeut. Then tuelr military bills, placing the bayonets slde by side with the ballot boxes.” “Was not that done tn the tuterest of or¢ “Ostensibly to protect, but in reality tu overawe the people.” “What do you think of the bills recently passed?” “Their Ku Klux bill, is feartut im its assumption of prerogative, in the ABSOLUTE AND DESPOTIC POWER it places in the hands of one man; and yet, as it stands to-day, itis nothing to what the extreme party leaders in the House and the republican Sen- ate songht to accomplish,”? “one of the Senutors said we wanted anotner war, “Yes, sir, Senator Sherman sald so, and offered an amendment in the Senate to make the entire pro- perty of the county liable for tne desiruction caused by an incendiary.” “That tooks dangerous.” “It is so. Imagine the temptation held out to the lawiesa, Who desired to dispose of their property through alliance with radical ofiice-hoiders, and by that means get four times the value for it from the county, and at the same time help to tmpoverish the ple whom they hate.”” “You alluded to enactments concerning the miliary.” “[ did. They attempted to give the President power to cail out tue militia, thereby enaoling him to sanction, with the authority of the United siates, the acts of vengeance perpetrated vy the negro militta of the South.” “What do you inier from this ?”* “It tends to show most positively the lengths to whieh te radical leaders Were prepared to go to re- tain power." “But Lnere is an opposition party.” “And in that opposition lies the only safegnard of the country. The democratic minority in tae House, strong 10 numbers und already standing so clearly on the side of the constitution and the rights of the people, fought them step by step, and so alarmea a Jew conservative menin the republican ranks that they refused to go the absoluce length with tue others.”’ “How did they get out of it?” “They declared that they had taken an vath on becoming members of the House ¢o support the constitution of the United States, and they did not propose to violate that oath by voting for measures that were clearly in opposition to the constitution.” “What was the resuit “They had to abandon some of the most infamous and obnoxious of their propositions; but it is only jor atime.” You are aware I was “Will they again resume the a*tempt !"" ‘AS Soon as they find the people are indifferent to their encroachments upon their rights these men much further they cau go than by giving the Prest- dent authority to suspend the habeas corpus and de are tuartial law im a time of profound and abso- lute peace.” “Then you think the LIBERTY OF THK PEOPLE [3 IN DANGER! “Why, sir, the liberties of the American people are lo-day in greater danger than they were during ihe late rebellion.”” “In what way t” “fhen it was a question of arms—now it is a question whether we are to continue as a federal republic or to change by slow put sure degrees to anempire. All the props aad safeguards so care- fuily placed around our system of government are one by one being mn away, and the people's rights are gradually being transferred to a central power, which our fathers intended should be the servant of the people, but which we are endowing with the sway of a master.” “What Js the feeling among the democratic mem- bers in the House? “L have taiked with every one of them: many were onicers in the late contederacy, 1 have care- fully marked their movements in the House aud tn cauens, and [ beleve them to be as law-abiding and as loyal to the Unton of these Staies as any men in the country.’ “Do they accept the amendments to the constitu. tion?”* “Yes, sir, I say emphatically yes. They recog- nize them to-day as portions of the law of tue laud, and though they may veileve, as millions of the people of the country do believe, shat they were en- raived upon the constitution vy Traud, still they have been declared adopted as portions 0: and they accept them and are willing to shape their policy accoraingly and abide by the result.” “Colonel, did you notice in the speech of Senator Morton in Wasdiugton that he said the democratic party would accomplish two things by getting into power? One was to deprive the negro of his privi- joges under the amendments; the other to repudiate the national obugatious.” “T was present and heard speech.” What did you think of i?" . never felt so humiliated in uty life as to see w man vecupying the position of United states Senat encouraged and endorsed ag he was by the Pre a portion of that rly of the liteiligent man Who listen to Min must have known were absolute and ground jess calumanies.” tf “What do you think of Morton personally ? “If all Lheéar be true, his present physical condi- tion is but the Index oi tits moral and political na- and it 18 @ Signiftcant fact that unls leader of publican party in the Seaate is & man of mos’ their leader in the His partly the resuit “1 do. With regard to the two ports, Colovet ?? These two points were tilly atseussed iu the rocraue caucHs, ANA The Pesalts, embodied Mm wit aacdross, issued Lo the nation.’ ” Were you & mncmver of the enneus 7 “Yes, Twas present at the entire discussion, and 1 became $0 Interested in the unanimity of feelmg, DUNDS TAKEN BY VEMOCRATS of the country, that 1 became strack With tue advanced and Uberai views of the eubire party, aud wed my best endeavors to have the ad- dress lasued previous to tie adjourament of Cop- aregs.”? The question of repudiation, Mr. Roberts Why, the very idea Was scoffed at. Tt was con. sidered waworihy.of serious discussion.”* What about tue negro: “Wiry, sir, the idea of de; riving hi of auy of the righta that he enjoys to-day was repudiated by the whole democratic party.” «ne Hresident seems anxious to remain where he “Grant has si one idea, and that is to be re- umply be fb se gh He does not care how he gains hus as much cot as he getsthere, I beheve he utlous scruples as Buuler; but continue in the White House he will at and alt hazards, With his varrow inteilect—fixed on that one polnt—he will follow the advice of bis satellites ronal we wonselty of purpose and stold = og for which he 16 proverbial. It 1s quite eviaent he has been impressed by with the idea that vo reach the goal of his ambition it was necessary— nay, indispensable—to his success to arouse the fanaticism of his foliowers and tne fears and pas- sions of tae pee Without political judgment or experience he sent to the House a im asking for extreme powers to put down a myth. 13 Mer sage was intended to whip in THE WEAK-KNEED MEMIERS of his party, who refused to follow Butler in the House and Morton in the Senate, it had the desired effect; and though the democrats voted wuh the conservative republicans on their solicitation and with the understanding that no action should be had until an investigation had taken place into the reported Ku Kiux outi yet these s8:-called con- servatives turned around as soon as the Presidential Jash was applied, and repudiated their former pro- fessions.”” : ‘hat do you think of the High Commission t” “The Commission have not impressed me with @ Me! opinion of the physical Eugushman.”” “Why sor? “Those of them that I have seen are below the me- dinm size, round shouldered, knock-kneed, most peculiar heads and very ordinary features. if they are to be luken a8 specimens of the order to which they belong the English aristocracy must have WOFULLY DEGEN&RATAD. Sir Richard Thornton reminds me of a respectable butter mercbant completety endimanch?. Sir Jonn A. Macdonald looks exactly like a retired Chatpam street old clo’ man, and these were the mosi pre- sentanle of the lot, But what they lacked in per sonal appearance as compared with THE REPRESENTATIVE AMERICAN, Tam satisficd they witl more than bold their own in diplomacy. I think when the result of their labors is Known that fact will become apparent, and already we see evidence of this in the backing dowa ot the supporters of the admumistration from the high ground taken by them originally.” “On which subject Y? " “Well, on the Alabama Claims; it was given out that nothing short of the cession of the Canadas would satisfy them. Now we have every reason to believe that Engiand ana her diplomats, true to their old dogged and seltish spirit, will not cede a rod to satisly our demands or expectations.’” “Have you any other reason for believing so be- sides the announcements in the journais ?” “Yes, a singie incident came under my observa- tion tn the House while the Deficiency bill was under discussion. A resolution was offered em- powering the President to appoint a commission to Imark the bounaary lines between the British and American possessions from Point of Woods to the Rocky Mountains, a distance of about six hundred miles, and asking for an appropriation of $100,000 as a first mstalment toward the expenses to be in- curred.” “Was there no objection made to that?” “Oh, yes. Randall, of Pennsyivania, objected to it on economical grounds, I saw Randall afterward aud expressed a desire that he should continue ais opposition to it; but that if he should be juced to withdraw to let me know in time that I might my- self oppose it. As lL expected, on the next day the proposer of the resolution, accompanied by Generaj Schenck, the Minister to THE COURT OF ST. JAMES, called upon Randall to induce him to retire. Ran- dall stated the facts in the case, whereupon General Schenck sought an introduction to me and stated that the Commission had agreed upon this line aud that Sur John A. Macdonaid was most anxious the question should be sett! 4 without delay.” “How did vou get out of it?!” “Lanswered nim that I had very stroug reasons for not giving my consent; first, because I did not believe in drawing any other bounaary line for these United States than those which God and navure had already escablished—from ocean to ocean. Second, that L was opposed to the expenditure of money; and tuird, because that Sir J. A, Macdonald and nis com Sréres kept AMERICAN CITIZENS ROTTING in thelr Canadian prisons, and that 56 tong as that was the case 1 should fight it out om that line to the bitter end, and ne could tell Sir J. A. Macdonald #0 from me, ‘This fact was proof to me that the dinings, wininygs and social mterchange Or courtesies ve- tween some of our American leaders and the repre- seutatives of the English aristocracy bad the result intended by Britisu diplomacy.’ “Then you don’t think, Colonel, that the results likely tobe arrived gt by the Commission wit be satisfactory to the American pple y'? “No, sir, 1 do not; for I believe that Lo amount of money Engiand ts itkely to pay can compensate ua Tor the damage done to our commerce and the load of prestige we nave sudered as @ uation resulting trom the policy of neutrality adopted by England iw the very commencement of our civil war. But then we may expect, whatever decision the Joint High Commission will arrive at, the republican party will Naal it as an evidence of the Wisdom and statesman- ship of the present admintstration.” “votonel, do you Know anything about the appro- priation iur the Hospital of the Sisters of Charity in South Caroin?”” “Yes; 1 was present when it was proposed by the chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, who spoke strongly and with a good deal ot (eel on the justoess of the claim. He stated in the course of his Femurks that ne had either been called upou or written to BY EVERY WOUNDED OFFICER who had received the Kind attentions of the sisters in their hospiial to endorse their claims upon the nalivn, Cuder these circumstances the House youed iu tavor of the appropri the Senace as one of the Items in thy A strong opposition Was offered to ti there, and after sae aiscussion the amount was reduced to $12,000."" “Was it not then sent to the House in thatanape #? “Yes; the House, rather than lose the entire amount, accepted the amendment and adopted the Deficiency bill as reported by the conference com- mittee,” “Have you heard that the President made any re- marks on seetng that clause in the Deficiency bill?" ‘AS usual at the close of # session, a commitiee was appointed to wail on the President, and announce to him that the House was about to adjourn, and (o ascertain if he haa any communica- tion to make. ‘This committee *was present when the President signed the Vetlctency bill, and ne an- nounced to them HIS at being compelled t EAT REGRET be gad ot the appropriation for the Sisters’ Hosp! He said if 1 were not that his refusal to sign it would defeat the whole Deficiency bil he would most certainly have vetoed that clause, as, in his opinion, they were not entitied to # dollar of it. The chuirman of the committee, . Dawes, regretied that the President should have an objec- tion to thé appropriation; ne had investigated this ciaim, he said, and he considered 1t a just and hu- mune one. The President agai reiterated his regret that he was compelled te sign it."’ “Do you think the claun a just one?” «There cannot ve a quesuioa of it; the testimony from ail sides in favor of tt was overwhelming.” “What do you think of the resident's remark ?”” sir, [desire to entertain none but feelings of profound respect for the eccupant of the highest: Position Lo which a man can be elevated. But it is dimMcult to view ® man who carries into that ‘yf office the spirit and feelings of a Village bigot in any other light than that in which he must be held by all enligntened and truly Christian inen.”? “Looking at it from the light of the captain of a great army, don't yon tuink 16 shows a wantuf gratitude to people who readered valuable services: to is soldiers"? ou are quite rignt; but then, you Know, it i+ said Grants success in the field Was owing to his entire disregard of the lives of lis men, He never thought of numan life, HE ONLY SAW SUCCESS, and did not care at What cost 1 Was purchased. As to gratitude, pernaps m his case it 1s only called forth by favors «irectiv received; and, if report speaks truly, ts shortlived at thar. The action of the President in this matter speaks for tise, and the taference to be drawn trom tt needs no further comment from me.” “With regard to the coming Presidential cam- paign 2” : yeems to ine that Graut is aimost certain to ppublican nommation, but he is also ‘tain to er an ignominous deseat. ‘There are men io the party, however, mach more likely to succeed with the people than he is—Blaine, for In- tance, is one Of the aplest men in the republican party, Butt think tt is impossible, with the recora oi the party as now made up, that the American peopie can turther endorse their acuon and entrust mn again with power.” Aen you Detlove, Colonel, that our next Presi- dent will be a democrat?” “Yes, sir; fam thoroughly convinced that with a good candidate, standing upon a platforin embouy- ing the present sptrit and principles of the party, the democracy will sw the country in 1872, apd restore 10 an overtaxe distracted people peace, prosperity and liberty. SMITH ELY, JR. Smith Bly, dr the member of Congress from the Seveuth district, was next sougnt. Mr Bly does business in that part of the etty Known as the His occupation is the one to whi Captam Grant devoted ts intellect and energy b fore the war—the leather trade, To enter the of the legisiator one ta obliged to pass itiously between enormous stacks of sole leather. The UERALD reporter foand Mr. Bly tt hits counting house, Having toformed him that the object of the visit was to obtain his views on Congressional mat- ters, he answered :— . “Tam perfectly willing to give you any information [ possess; but Lthink you should apply to some one ol my senior colleagues who ts better posted tn Washington than fam. Of course you know Thad but seven weeks’ experience, and as no committees were appointed and no legitimate busimess done, except Fo pass tt ney Appropriation bul, L Jwatned ut litte “Prom your experience In legislative bodies in tits city aud in Albany, What do you think of the Mouse of Representatives 9" “Ot the men WhO Compose bt Well, Ldon’t nin 2 sanetal