Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-07
SENATOR EDMUNDS.
THE ANIMATED ICEBERG ON THE
POLITICAL OUTLOOK.
Fresh Republican Views on the Farmers
Alliance Movement and Other Burn
ing Issues-Cool Calculation.
Rr ,olornph % the ptspatch.l

WlsHTNGToN, April G.--Ihe SCR to-night
publishes a two-colunn interview with
Senator Edmunds upon the present politi-
cal situation and outlook. As between the
two great parties. the Senator does not see
any great difference between the situation
now and what it has been for several years
But as TO the Farmers Alliance. the situa-
ton is one Of extraordinary interest and
Importance, because Of its possible effect
upon the next national election.
DANGERS TO THE GREAT PARTIES.
The reporter asked: what dangers to
both parties and to the country are there
IN the situation 2"
II don't think there is any danger 70
the Democratic party" the Senator re-
Piled with a faint smile. for II this re-
spect all IL fish that comes 70 its net. or in
deed goes INTO the net OF the Farmers Al
lance. for IN the next presidential cleo
ton, If the Farmers Alliance should carry
many States without having a majority OF
the whole electoral college, the simple re-
suit would be that there would be no cleo
ton by the people, "a II is called, aud the
present House Of Representatives having
very large majority of States as well as
members would elect the Democratic can
didate in a constitutional and regular way,
although ne NAV have carried the smallest
number Of States.
AS to the danger TO the Republican
party. IL is that the Farmers Alliance may
carryin the next presidential election some
States that would otherwise vote Tor the
Republican candidate and thus IN ehect,
if there should be no election by the peo-
pie. give the election TO the Democratic
candidate by the House OF representa-
tiyes."
TEE ISSUE PROPER.
what do you think will be the issue OF
the presidential campaign proper" ,
The Republicans will doubtless stsnu
bv the same ground for justice and eguallty
Of rights among the citizens OF the Unlted
States. and fair elections, and for the pro-
lection of American labor ana industries
that It has maintained hitherto"
TIE SILVER QUESTION.
'Do you think that silver will be an issue
in the next election?"
II don't think it will be an issue between
the Republican and Democratic parties
for think that the Democratic party VIII
hardly wish TO make the silver question an
issue to the extent of running any, con;
siderable risk of separating silver and gOld
as the coin money of the country, and GER
tainly the great body of the Republican
party, am sure, will not. Up 70 the point
of safety, / have no doubt the Bepubhcan
party viii be in favor of using silver "a
money. as it always has been. What the
Farmers' Alliance platform, if 1t should
nominate O candidate for President, VIII
be am unable to say"
THE FEELING OF UNREST.
"How Is the feeling of unrest among
certain classes to be metz"
Il think it Is to be met rs every other
disturbance in society ought TO be-by
candid consideration, by correct iniorma.
ton. lust reasoning, and the enactment OF
such laws as may fairly appear TO be pro-
motive of the general public good. 1t Is
upon such considerations that every gov;
eminent Of the people must be carried
on"
THE THIRD PARTY MOVEMENT.
us a third party movement likely; and
if so, what might it lead tor Is Commu-
nism at the bottom of ity"
" A third party movement replied the
Senator, does now exist IN the Farmers
Alliance enterprises. If successful TO tue
extent of having the President and both
houses of Congress IL would doubtless lead
10 the enactment of measures they have
already indicated and then in very short
time. whether these measures were good
for the farmers or extremely bad for them
would manifestly appear.
TIE FARMERS ALLIANCE AND COMMUNISM.
Il do not think that communism Is at
the bottom Of the Farmers Alliance move
ment. The percentage of communists IN
this country 10, l believe. at present almost
infnitesimally small. The great body Of
laboring people of the country, which,
taking all the departments OF human ac-
tivlty. embraces probably ninety-tiye one
mndredths of the whole number of grown
no people, are altogether too intelligent
and too honest to think that communism
will be of any benefit TO them or their
families, but they believe that It Is de-
structive of private rights, of personal
prosperity, and personal happiness, apd II
carried into practice would effect the main
tenance of the vicious and the lazy and the
ignorant out of the toll OF the intelligent
and industrious people"
THE FINANCIAL OUTLOOK.
How might the finances of the country
be affected by this mOyament!"
The finances of the country always
DEPEND very largely upon the confidence
that people engaged in business and people
having capital have in the Administration
of its government. If any of the move
ments Of which we have been speaking
should appear so formidable as to make
unsound legislation at all probable the
finances of the country would be very
greatly disturbed, and that, of course,
would disturb every branch of labor and
business. This everybody perfectly under
stands"