The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-03
a RECENT TOPIC TAKEN UP AeArN.

Our readers will recollect The caution
we gave Democratic leaders Of the
Sou n a few days back. when We asked
them 10 think Of the possibility Of Cover
nor Mckinley as The nominee Of the
Republican party on a pla.fcrm which
told the negroes that they must no lon
ger look TO the National Rcp1blican
party. but that they must expect the
Just treatment that is their due from
their fellow white men amorg whom
they 1--we. and which added the principle
Of sound money and protective tariff.
1t will be rocoliected that We minated
that if this happens. the Democrats OF
the South will have to do something
more than trust 10 machine politics 10
keep the South a solid South IN the
Democratic column.
Governor Mckinley was in Washington
on Monday. and the Post had column
Of gossip about his presence there. from
which we take the following. that ought
to be very interesting reading TO south
crn Democrats in this connection:
A CHANG. II lfE SOUTH.
1t IS this matter Of material interests,
by the way which Governor Mckinlcy's
friends hope will be TO his great advan-
tage. when the time comes to select dele
gates in the South for the next national
Republican convention. Hitherto the
southern Republican delegate has been
either an Cfice-holdcr. who was for the
renolaina ccn Of the man who appointed
him. or ne was a cClorcd man whose vote
was generally ia the market. Both Mr..
Alger and Mr. Sherman nave had some
experience with the latter character OF
delegate. especially at the convention
which nominated Harrison. The general
breakup of the solid South which oc-
CURED last fall. however. is believed 10
pres1ge very different future for the
Republican party ia the South The busl-
ness interests Of that section. according
to Major Mckinley friends. arc now
paramount There is no further fear Of
negro domination, but there is fear that
a free-trade policy will hurt the develop
ment Of mines and factories.
1t is said that il is this new element
in the Republican party of the South
the business element-which Mr.. McKin-
ley is anxious to attract 20 himself.
Viewed in this light. his trip through the
South. with it's receptions by boards Of
trade and chambers of commerce. has a
defnite meaning. He evidently believes
that ne can command considerable
strength in the South when the dele
gates come TO be cleo I'd.
HIS POSITION oS SILVER.
II am able 10 state without qualihca-
ton. said a personal friend of Governor
Mckinley last night, that the report
that Mckinley declared that il the Re-
publican party came out for free silver
ne would not accept the nomination for
President. is absolutely correct. 1t is true
thar ne mace the declaration impulsively
But later he repeated 1t and added:
There has never been any misun-
derstanding aoout my position on any
thing. / am no straddler. / shall not
be one now II the Republican party
comes out for free silver l will have
nothing 10 do with the nomination
"The significance of his declaration was
pointed out TO him by his friends. He
replied that he was glad that IL was
significant. That was WY he made IT,
His polite friends are denying the dec
larltion. They fear that IL means the
deathkneli OF McKinley's ambition for 20
But while they may deny IT till they are
black I'm the face. the report that he
so declared himself is wholly correct.
"His Republican opponents are delight
ed with the report. The Reedites and the
Allisonites have for the nonce thrown
away hard feelings and joined in gener-
al frollc and celebration over what they
are pleased TO call 'McKinleys suicide
"Mr.Kinley's close friends declare that
they are perfectly satisfied with the
Majors position. II is a manly one they
add and one which is bound TO attract
to him the support of that part OF the
people in favor OF honest money"