The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-05-01
PROCTOR KNOTT IsrADs THE
RIOT ACT TO DEN CRATIC
GOLDBUG -
"Dare Oppose the Peoples Rights
and Defeat Awaits You"-So
Says the Old Governor.
He Denounces Carlisle, Cleveland
and Company In Bitter Terms
Speaks Well of the Populists.
"It Is Rapidly Growing Vote"-
Democrats Must Face the
Music or Die.


dare refuse to proclaim themselves in
no uncertain terms with regard to the
rights Of the people,as involved in the
struggle for currency reform, when
they meet in convention at Louisville
next June, and as sure as the election
occurs the following November, just
so sure will the Democrats lose Ken
lucky"
These words were spoken with great
deliberation by Ex-Governor Proctor
Knott, as he sat in his quaint, cozy
study this afternoon. The old states
man, retired by hts own volition
from public position, and serving his
generation with all the ardor of his
robust nature, by teaching the young
men OF Center college how to think
out for themselves the problems of
social science and political economy,
had been talking for an hour or more
about the present muddled condition
of Kentucky politics and of the
gloomy outlook of the Democracy
with the lights ahead of it in this
state.
II don't think it at all probable
that Secretary Carlisle will make any
thing like an extended canvass of the
state even if he should conclude to
take an active and open part in the
campaign" said the ex-governor in
response to question. "From what
understand to be his point of view
such canvass would not at all COM
port with the dignity of the office he
now occupies"
WHAT IS EXPECTED.
what l suspect Carlisle will do is
this: When the gold-bug crowd at
Louisville see the utter folly Of longer
attempting to keep the discussion Of
the currency out of the state cam
paign, they will arrange big hula
baloo in that city for Carlisle's bene-
speech already in type before he
leaves Washington. The gold-bug
press all over the country ,and especi-
ally in Kentucky, will print the speech
and then Mr.. Carlisle will hasten back
to Washington.
"This will set the woods on fire and the
blaze and crackle of the conflagration
will be seen and heard from the Ohio
to Jellico and from the Big Sandy to
the Mississippi.
whether that will be early or late
in the campaign depends on the emer-
gency of the occasion. Mark you,
now, have no information as to Mr..
| Carlisle's intention, but I know gold
bug methods so we'll that can sur
mise with some degree of accuracy as
to what he will do"
"Then you will take the stump, gov
ernor?"
"That depends. If 1 recover my
health may. In fact, 1 may not
wait on Carlisle. The people are
the Democracy in Kentucky is in
creasing all the time. AS soon as my
duties are over here at the college,
with the end Of this session, am GO
ing down to my home in the old
Fourth district for rest and recrea-
tion. AS can find no rest in absolute
idleneSs may write series Of letters
on the reconciliation Of silver. I
don't hope to say anything new on the
subject, but / do hope to so express
my views as to enlighten some people
| on certain phases OF the topic which
do not now appear clear to them. l
will give these lectures to some paper
| with a large circulation that will pub
lish them, and by that means l will
contribute my quota to the cam
paign."
THEY CAN'T sTRADDLE.
"But suppose, governor, the Repub-
licans, as it now seems likely, should
straddle the currency issue in their
platform, and the Democrats, follow
ing 50 soon on the heels OF the Repub-
lican state convention, should do like
| wise, and thus split even with the
enemy, would the Democratic ticket
then be in as much danger as you ap-
prehend under a possible different set
Of circumstances"
Most emphatically, yes," was the
unhesitating reply. THE free silver
sentiment in this state is SO strong
and sensitive that it will put up no
longer with any half-hearted treat
ment. II both the Republicans and
Democrats by their platforms refuse
to give it the freest and fullest con-
sideration, then a third party will
spring up and carry off the prize. I'm
der our new system of voting, the Sc
cret ballot, thousands of free silver
Democrats would march to the polls
in November and, despite the threat
ening crack of the party lash, would
drop in ballots for the candidate who
stands upon platform embodying
their views. No power on earth could
keep them from doing this"
'"Ihe friends OF silver in our party
| ought now to be up aud dciny," con-
tinucd the governor. They undoubt-
edly form an overwhelming majority.
but If they don't bestir themselves
they will get left. The gold-bugs,
with their headquarters at Louisville,
and seryile press paid to mislead the
people, are active, alert and resource
iul. l doubt not that they are al
ready at work, in a quiet, and under
hand way, and it something isn't done
| to checkmate their game they will
get away with the convention, body,
breecileS aud soul. Then
| FARE you WELL CANARY.
! II know that they forced through
| the meeting Of the state committee