Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-23
West Virginia Democrats Not Likely
to Hold Convention.
THEY WILL Be FOR SOUND MONEY
Leaders Can Hold the Rank and
File in Line.
WILL SUPPORTTHEPRES

1t Is the opinion in some political circles
that there is but slight probability of
free coinage convention of democrats being
held in West Virginia. notwithstanding the
apparently strenuous efforts being made to
bring such an event about. 1t is under
stood that the administration would
gard a free silver democratic convention in
West Virginia as bringing the anti-sound-
money movement entirely too far east. and
will accordingly take steps to nip the at
tempt in the bud.
1t is said that the administration has no
fear whatever of its ability to effectually
suppress the movement for a free coinage
convention in that state. 1t is supposed
this confidence is based upon the fact that
some of the most prominent democrats in
the state are administration men, therefore
advocates of sound money, and not likely
to allow the rank and file of the democracy
of the state to be led after stray gods,
whether silver otherwise. 1t Is said that
the conditions in West Virginia are some
what peculiar, inasmuch a handful of
men are virtually in control of the de-
mocracy of the state, and while. without
attempting to assert any authority or to
assume the position of bosses, as a matter
of fact. they do influence their followers to
considerable extent.
VIII Stand for Sound Money.
The democratic leaders of West Virginia
have heretofore been in the position of BIZ
metallists, and If they should answer
frankly and without dissimulation today 1t
is said that they would doubtless express
themselves as advocating an enlarged use
of silver in the national currency under
proper safeguards. 1t is said, however,
that none of them would go to the extent
OF advocating free coinage under present
conditions. and if put to the alternative as
they will probably be, it is claimed that
they would take a stand for sound money,
following the Presidents definition Of that
term, whatever time and subsequent events
my show his definition to be.
There are some counties in West Virginia
that contain considerable free coinage SEN
timent, but they are isolated agricultural
communities in the interior Of the state that
do not cut very much of a figure in swelling
the total OF the states vote at election
time. During the last political campaign in
West Virginia the democratic orators in
those districts found themselves confronted
occasionally with demand for enlighten-
ment on the silver question, but they usu-
ally managed to evade the issue by SUBJ
sttuting the tariff question as a more i'm
portant one.
Another Element Against Free Coin
age.
Another element which, 1t is claimed will
prevent the growth of free coinage senti-
ment in West Virginia, and which is ex-
pected to do more good than even the ef-
forts of the bosses, is the fact that this
state is one of the foremost pillars of the
industrial new south. being one of the rich
est states in the Union in natural resources,
yet in a remarkably undeveloped condition.
West Virginia is a living appeal to capital
and industry to come within her borders
and develop her magnificent natural
sources. In this condition, it Is claimed,
West Virginia cannot afford to array her.
self under the banner of a fiscal policy
which would repel capital instead of at
tracing it. This argument has been used
very extensively already in combating the
free silver sentiment, and, it is claimed,
has been used with telling effect.
The state is pretty we'll represented In the
administration, holding many positions
from that of cabinet portfolio down the
list to heads of bureaus. All of these office
holders, it is said, politicians and men
of weight in the political circles of the
state. These people. it Is claimed, are now
expected to prevent the calling of free
silver convention in West Virginia, which
would bring about such dilemma in the
Democratic party in that state as now ex-
ists in Illinois, and the business sense of
the people will be appealed to for finally
eradicating the free silver taint.