Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-17
Looking Up the West in Mr.. Har-
rison's Interest.
Will GIVE THE RESULTS OF His TRIP
He Will Probably Attend to the
Southern Republicans.
THE MEETING IN NEW YORK


this time ard his own return from an ex-
tended western tour. The impression
sought to he conveyed by the report was
that Mr.. Elkins had made his trip in the
interest of General Harrison's renomina-
tlcn for the presidency, and would now
give an account to his favorite of the re-
suits of the journey. The story was fanci-
full enough to have defeated itself. Why
1t is asked, should General Harrison have
been called to New York to receive such
news? Why could not Mr.. Ekins have
stopped at Indianapolis on his way back
and have told his news there? That would
have answered every purpose, besides COM
plying with the regulations of accepted
ceremony. When was a commander sum-
mCned from a distance to hear the report
of an orderly? The orderly as a rule
Takes straight for the commander wher-
ever he may be.
Some Late Information.
But whatever Mr.. Elkins' purpose was in
going west, and however accidental his
present meeting with Gen. Harrison may
be, il is ge lerally agreed among the poll
ticians that the West Virginia republican
leader has some late information that his
favorite ought to have and is likely to get
before he leaves the metropolis. There are
some things beyond dispute. And among
them are these: Gen. Harrison is the choice
Ol MI fAIkiilS 1or Inc next republican NOM
1nation for the presidency; the silver ques-
ton is giving the republican leaders
good deal of anxiety: the west is the weak
spot IN the republican line on that issue;
MI Elkirs has just returned from a tour
which carried him through all of the prn-
cipal western states; while On that tour he
discussed the silver question with many
men of prominence, and was himself inter-
viewed several times for the newspapers
touching his own. opinions. With these in
dlsputabie facts in view, it is of small con-
sequence in the eyes of the politicians
whether Mr.. E,kiHs' trip was made espe-
cially in Gen. Harrisons behalf or not
Whatever information bearing On politics,
current or tC come, Mr.. Elkins may have
gathered-and h. is regarded as being a
very Industrious man-is to be turned over
to the Harrison account and made the
most CT.
Popular in the West.
Mr.. Elkins is very popular man in the
west He resided for a long time in New
Mexico, served the territory as a delegate
in Congress, and thus came in touch with
western ideas and interests. He is still in
touch with them. His return east, and his
subsequent prominent Identification with
eastern interests, have not made him a
stranger TO the people he formerly repre-
sented. He still remembers them and they
still remember him. When he visits them
he is treated like one of the family. They
discuss their affairs with him with all the
greater freedom for knowing that he is in
thorough sympathy with their best aspira-
tions and well acquainted with their
sources and limitations. They can talk Sill
yer to him without the fear of encounter
ing Sneer or a cold shoulder In their
opinion he knows what silver is what they
need and what they deserve, and they be-
lieve that he will help them far It
may lie in his power and be consistent
with his judgment to do So He is thought
to be the one prominent eastern republican
handling large capital and pushing large
enterprises certain not to join in any eX-
treme measures favoring eastern interests
at the expense of western interests.
MIR. EIkins' Views Now.
The views that Mr.. Elkins has been ex-
pressing since his return go to show that
this confidence in him is not misplaced.
He has many pleasant things to say of
the west. He denies, in particular. that
the west on the money question is seeking
her own interests at the expense of the
country's Interests. He does not advocate
free and unlimited coinage of silver. But
he insists that silver as money ought to
be increased in quantity. He declares for
safe and practical bmetalism. His utter
anccs. indeed, are strikingly like those of
Gen. Harrison, delivered in Colorado sew
eral years ago and now kept so much in
evidence. Give the west a better hearing,
he says. She is not bent upon the destruc-
ton of the country. She wants more
money in circulation, and wants it in sill
yer, and he thinks that within certain
safeguards such a policy should be adopted.
That is understood to be Gen. HarriSO1'S
position also. The east is reminded that she
cannot hope to have her way about the
kind and the quantity of moEey put out in
this country, and she is advised to make
sCme wise concesS.o:S S to the west in good
time to prevent serious trouble.
AS they agree on the main proposition,
Gen. Harrison and Mr.. Elkins may he
pected to discuss soon the character of the
n he r
Eikins ought TO have some late and in
structVe information as to that He must
have kept the matter ir mind during the
whole of his trip. His inquiries, indeed
must all have been directed to that one
erd. He knew that the west wanted more
silver-free silver if she could get it-and
that the east was opposing the proposition
and so the only thing TO be determined
as to the possibilities of bringing the two
sections together and what the line of COM
promise must be. Has Mr.. Elkins. from
these conferences with the men of the west
formulated his plan? VIII he submit ii to
Gen. Harrison at this meeting? Will Gen.
Harrison indorse it. and thus in effect make
it the platform upon which his friends viii
HrSe his denomination for the presidency?
Work in the south.
Nor is this the only field IN which it is
thought Mr.. Elkins is likely to render Gen.
Harrison valuable service. He is now
recognized as the leader of the southern re-
publ.cans by virtue of his splendid achieve
ment in West Virginia last year and his
election Senator. He has made the Big
zest hole in the solid south up to date. He
is trying to increase its size, and his op.n-
ion is that the old craft is filing and will
go down. He is preparing to build a new
boat for the trade. The trade has grown
large he thinks a new boat necessary
The south, he believes, will respond to the
enterprise. She is feeling the effect of new
conditions. and it will only be a matter of
getting the case fairly before ner to make
sure of her assistance. The work is to he
done in Mr.. Eik.ns' shpyard, under his
own supervision and when the big whistle
blows and the gates are thrown open, the
expectation is that hands will be plentiful
and that tire work will proceed at a lively
rate. And all of this, opinion goes, will
mean just much to the Harrison boom
for the presidency. and to those in the day