The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-09-26
Ex-G0V. JARVIS TALKS
HE TELLS WHY HE DIDN'T GO
INTO THE SILVER CONVEN-
TION.
STRONGER THAN EVER FOR SILVER

He Says That He Was Invited To ATT
tend NOn-PaTtisan Convention,
But When He Found The POpuIists
Were Determined to Demand Pledges
He Remained at the HOtel--The
Democratic Party Not Hurt by the
Proceedings Of the Convention.
Where is Governor Jarvis r.
This was the question that every dele
gate asked his neighbor yesterday when
the Silver Conference met.
Some said the Governor was sick
had sent to the drug store for medicine,
and couldn't stand the heat in the hall.
But Democrats said: "No; the Governor
stays away because he isn't ready to do
Buffers bidding" After the Convention
a reporter of the News AND OBSERVER
called to see the Ex-Governor and ex-
Senator. He seemed very well-as to
health.
Governor, did not see you in the
convention to day?' said the reporter.
mo, / was not there"
"Why did you not attendT
81 was invited to attend a non -parti-
san silver conference, and came in good
faith TO join in such conference to help
forward the cause of silver. 1t looked
to me, after studying the situation, like
a partisan, Populist convention, bent on
getting some party advantage if possible.
Was at a conference yesterday evening
composed of Populists, Republicans and
Democrats, called, as understood it, to
formulate the resolutions to be passed
by the convention. A series of resolu-
tions had been prepared by Democrat,
| who was one of the callers of the
convention, which were admitted
to be very appropriate and very strong
| in their condemnation of the demoneti-
zation of silver and equally strong in
their uUterances for its restoration. To
these it was insisted that another resolu-
tion should be added, recommending the
people to vote only for candidates for
Congress and electors for President and
| Vice-President, who are pledged to sill
yer. No compromise that could be suggest
ed, as l am informed, would satisfy the
| Populist leaders. When / became salts
| fed of that fact | determined to remain
out of the convention for the reason that
/ was not willing to pledge myself at this
time to body which had no authority
to require or take pledges as to what
/ will do or what | will not do
next year. While / may have my
notions as to what the situation
will be next year do not know what it
will be, and / intend to keep myself free
to act, when the time comes, as | may
think best for the good of the cause of
silver and the good of the country"
''But, Governor, it is claimed that the
resolution only recommends to the peo-
ple."
eyes, but have a notion that when
one recommends to the people to do a
certain thing he is under some obliga-
tions to do it himself"
"But did you not state in the confer
ence Tuesday evening that you consid-
cred the cause of silver as above party"
II did, and do not wish to modify or
take back one word / said, and still
propose to keep myself in position to
act, when the time comes, as my judg
ment may tell me is my duty"
"NoW do not wish to be understood
as criticising any Democrat who did at
tend, for many attended who are as pa
triotic and much wiser than am. Nor
do | criticise the Populists for insisting
on going as far as they did in the reso-
lutlons. it was their right to do so, and
l make no complaint. l am simply Civ
ing my reasons for not attending the
meeting"
"How do you think the meeting will
affect the Democratic party in the
State r.
81 DO not see that the Democratic
party is involved in the meeting one way
or the other. Simply because myself
and other Democrats came to Raleigh to
attend the meeting ought not and does
not affect the party one way or
the other. We came in our
individual capacity, and not as
partisans. Our com ng and our conduct
here may hurt or help US as individuals,
but it cannot hurt or help the party.
"The Democratic party in North Caro-
lima is pronounced along the silver line,
and when the time comes for it to speak
and act, it will, in my opinion, give forth
no uncertain sound, and it will not hesi-
tate to make the reconciliation of sill
yer, as it existed prior to 1873, the one
great issue upon which it will join battle
with the money power