The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-06-05

homo from an eight months tour Of the
wcst was noted day or two sinco,
talked Interestingly to an lSrrLLidEScEH
, reporter yesterday regarding HIS OBJ
sorvations Of tho political situation,
with especial reference to the agitation
Of tho silver question. Much Of his
time was spent in Colorado, which Is
popularity regarded as tho seat Of tho
agitation. Mr.. Campbell is convinced.
FROM his own observations during his
travels, aud from tho trond OF events in
the country generally. that tho cu!mi.
nation OF the silver craze has about
been reached and that it will soon sub.
side. as did that other fiat money craze.
greenbackism, some yests ago. lie
also takes n hopeful Wow OF the bust
moss outlook, now that the country is
adjusting itself to the new and lower
basis" mRdc necessary by the new tariff
act. Tho lSrELLrGESCERr representative
found Mr.. Campbell resting from his
long journey aud stated what no was
at.erss follows:
"You have been away from the city
q good long time, Mr.. Campbell, and
you must have seen aud heard n good
deal moro than YOU have yet disclosed
to tho readers OF tho INrELLI0 GSCER in
your various letters from different
points. would like to get from you
some OF your latest observations in re-
gard to matters political, industrial
and financial. What. for instance, Is
the real drift OF public opinion where
you have been as respects present pol.
itical issues2"
swell, as to that very comprehensive
question:" replied Mr.. Campbell, II
must candidly disclaim any special in
formation. made no real effort to got
at public opinion on any subject where
ever | was. but in most cases fancled
that no such effort was necessary. l
don't think that as yet the sentiment
that 10 TO determine next years events,
particularly the Presidential election.
is made up. There is al apparent tide
at this time in the west toward the free
coinage OF silver at the l6 to ratio.
Lam persuaded that almost up to date
this has been the case in such states as
Missouri. Kansas, Nebraska and Colo
RADIO, and presume also in Illinois and
Indiana and parts OF the northwest.
But am also persuaded that tho silver
flood is at this time at q stand and
that from now on it will gradually ebb.
So that BY the time each party comes
to take an account OF stock next spring,
with view 10 selecting delegates to
nominating conventions, there will be
only low water mark OF sentiment in
favor OF silver. At this moment that
question is uppernost in the public
mind. l never saw anything exactly
like it. The common people read and
talk about it to an e1scn. that is re-
Inarkable."
ITO what, Mr. Campbell, do you at.
tribute this peculiar state OF public
continent? What has occurred to stir
up the people on the money question:"
II can hardly answer snch a question
as this in reasonable limits" replied
Nr. CAM bell. The silver issue has
been before tho public for years. re-.
member it Is matter OF concern to
Americans in Europe when was over
there in 'gl-2. Even longer than that
1t has been gravely discussed in both
Europe and America az an impending
danger. Blu. the real cause OF its pres
ent dominant proportions in some
parts Of the west is the panic OF 1898.
Thousands Of peoplc-yes. tens Of
thousands-ac.ually believe that the
panic OF that year, and the hard times
since, are directly traceable to the
so.called decentralization OF silver as
far back rs 1873 Apparently every.
body in Colorado who talks on this
subject, and a grea. many in other
states. attribute all low prices in gen.
eral to the low price OF silver. Silver
is the thermometer-the regulator-and
all farm products havo gone down with
the price OF silver. asked man if he
thought that farm horses had gone
down on account OF silver, and not on
account Of the use o! electricity aud of
steam and OF bicycles. lie had to ad-
Init that these latter agencies had
played their part. but still, after all, it
was silver that had done tho mischief
generally. So, too, excessive wheat
production in India, South America
and Russia. wero admitted to have had
some agency in depressing tina. cereal.
Butstill, like the root OF all evil, it was
silver that b d made bad worae."
4 CHANGE WILL CONE.
"This being the prevalent belief in
SO many localities. how do you expcc. a
decided change in public sentiment to
occur. between now and thi, time next
year,"
"Sinplv by appeals to the good sense
and intelligence OF tho people, such, for
y instance. az were so effectively made in
the great canvass against the grcenback
craze"
Mr.. Campbell then digrcssed 10 do.
scribe a speech OF TWO hours that Carl
schurz made to great meeting down
at Bellaire, and particularly spoke OF
the wonderful interest the people mani
teited throughout its delivery, aud Of
unmiatakablo influence it exercised on
their minds. ut was just such plain
presentations as that ono OF Schurz,"
said Mr. Campbell, that rescued this
country from tho greenback ,unacy
which, Iunder tho auspices OF Old Bill
Allen and Senator Thurman among
Democrats, md Bon Butler and old
Peter Cooper among Greonbackcrs, was
threatening this country with dire ca.
lamity. As il was then 80 1t will be again
It will BIO such speoches az Secretary
Carlisle ma, Just made, and such arti.
clos Us are appearing from tho pom OF
that great political economist at Chi.
cogo, prof. Laughlin). tina. will COM
pletely sober tho country. and make all
rational people stand aghnst at tho pos.
abilities OF trDo silver miHchiof."
"Of cotirso You OK poet the Re nIlhlicnnn