Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-04
Mr.. Otey interviewed.

MIR. Otey Interviewed.
The Washington Star has interviewed
Congressman Otey on the silver and other
questions. and from its report OF the in
terview we take the following:
Mr.. Otey is an ardent free-silver man.
and believes that silver will be the only
issue OF consequence in the next cleo
ton OF the Old Dominion. He Is not a
mere theorist on the money question, as
for many years he was the cashier OF
the Roanoke National Bank, which posi-
ton he resigned In 1881 in order to ac-
cept the presidency of the Lynchburg and
Durham railroad. lie was the hnancier
of this road, which involved an expendi-
ture Of 100000. and was Its president
until ii went In the hands OF receiver.
Since that time Mr.. Otey has been ac-
lively engaged as a real-estate operator,
and he has proved exceedingly successful
In his undertakings. He never held a
public office. and until he became a can
didate for election TO the Ftfty-fourth
Congress never ran for an office.
SILVER SENTIMENT IN THE STATE.
Speaking to a Star reporter to-day OF
the political situation in Virginia, Mr..
Otey said:
in my judgment the delegation that
will go to the next national Democratic
convention to nominate president VIII
be solidly In favor of candidate who
will come out for free coinage. Cleveland
could not again be the choice OF the viz
ginia Democracy on account OF the
policy he has adopted In relation to Sill
yer.
II do not think there is any sentiment
in the South in favor of what Is being
designated 'sound-currency.' except the
banking element. and that portion OF the
business which is very closely allied TO
New York and Boston Ia its business
transactions. | know that when l was In
the banking business 1t was frequently
necessary for us TO borrow $4,000 when
| the tobacco crop was being gathered. Ii
was in the power OF the New York bank
ers to have refused the loan, though l
have never heard of them doing so. II Is
easy for the New York and Boston
bankers TO say to their correspondents In
the South that If free-silyer legislation
becomes a fact they can borrow no more
money from them. They may give one
reason or another.
"They may say that they will not be
| SECURE In making loans under such con-
ditions. But the effect will be the same.
| IL will cause the men in the South de-
pendent on northern loans to advocate
what the North wants. That, In my opin-
| ion. is all there Is OF the southern
Sound money movement and without
| such influences there never would have
| been "A Memphis convention. That con-
yention was a northern rather than a
| southern affair.
Among the people OF Virginia there are
great numbers of good businessmen who
| give little thought TO the relative advan-
| tages of gold and silver as money metals.
They are now waking up to an active
/ interest in this matter. and men are
studying the question who gave no
| thought 10 IL previously. The result OF
this campaign of education, l think. will
be TO gain converts for the silver cause
| in quarters that are now Indifferent to
| any legislation on silver.
NO FEAR or REPUBLICAN Success
Il do not think the tariff will 8 men
toned In Virginia In 1885. I have no fear
| that the Republicans will meet with any
better success In my State at the next
election than they did In the election when
General Malone was beaten for the
| governorshlp. The Republicans have been
talking about an honest ballot for years
but II our present election law does not
| secure honest elections. do not see how
We can ever have them. That law was
| framed to secure an honest expression
from the people at the ballot box"