Birmingham state herald., 1896-07-31
WHY GENERAL WEAVER DEPART


 Of course the unceremonious departure of General Weaver from Alabama was 8 severe blow to the Goodwin fusion tick ct. He had been directed by Senator Butler, chairman of the national popu- lite executive committed, to proceed to Alabama at once and help Goodwin out. No doubt Senator Butler was appealed to during the national populite conven- tion to do something to help the sinking fusion ticket in this state. That he was not appr1sed of all the facts in the case is evident If Butler had known when he directed General Weaver to come to Alabama what General Weaver knew when he departed from the state he would never have sent him here.
 When the Alabama middle of the roaders," who represented at St. Louis only the office hunting element in the populite party in Alabama, were appeal ing to Senator Butler the national chair man, for help in Alabama they were careful not to tell him that they were trying to elect in this state to the office of governor man who has declar- ed for high protection and against the free and unlimited coinage of silver.
 
 ticket with that man were three out and out Mckinley goldbug republicans. The middle of the roaders" evidently with held all that from Senator Butler But they could not keep those facts from General Weaver when he arrived on the grounds.
 General Weaver is believer in pop ulism, but he is not in favor of electing protective tariff and an anti-free coin age populite governor and on the ticket with him three Mckinley republicans That is what General Weaver found up- on his arrival in Alabama that he was expected to do, and he would not do it. He promptly brushed the dust from his feet and went away. It was but natural for him to have done that way. He is honestly in favor of free coinage, and that unlimited by this country alone at 16 to 1, while the nominee of the fusion ists proclaims that he favors the free coinage only of the American product. General Weaver Is also honestly in favor of tariff for revenue, while the fusion nominee for governor prates about pro- lection wonderfully.
 General Weaver is not the man to go on the stump here or elsewhere and stultify himself by advocating the election of MoKinleyites to office. Goodwin and three others on the ticket are Mckinley ties and will support Mckinley in Mo- vember. Goodwin owes it to the repub- licans to support their ticket. They rob bed democrat of the seat he now holds in congress for him and will give him 75 per cent of the vote that he will get next Monday.
 The report put out by the fusionlsts to the effect that General Weaver has de- parted from Alabama to confer with Senator Jones about fair elections in Alabama is all bosh. II is done to try to deceive the people and keep them from inquiring into the real cause of General Weaver's failure to go on the stump or in any manner speak for the fusion tick ct. To see about fair elections was not what carried General Weaver away from Alabama. It was the desire to get away from a lot of fellows who represent no principle save that of getting office if they can that hurried him away.
 As a matter of fact, Senator Jones is not in St. Louis and has not been there in several days. Yet MT. Bingham, "act- ing chairman" says General Weaver has gone in post haste to St. Louis to confer with Senator Jones about fair elections in Alabama.