Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-25
BLAND And A. P. A.
Reasons Alleged for Opposing the
Missoprian.
His VIFE's CHURCH CONNECTIONS
Democracy May Declare Open War
Against the Order.
PREPARING FOR M'KINLEY

The A. P. A. opposition to the nomination
of "Silver Dick" Bland would have been
officially promulgated when the advisory
board of the order met here last month had
there been any idea that he would have
been brought prominently forward as
possible democratic nominee for Presi-
dent. His name had hardly been mentioned
up to that time, and the advisory board
was then dealing with the republican can
ddates. While IN session here, however,
one of the Missouri members Of the board
talked with a Star reporter Of the great
democratic apostle of silver
1t is claimed by the order that Mr.. Bland
was one of the victims of the A. +. A IN
the landslide last year, and the opposition
to him at that time was based on the
ground that he had voted for sectarian APP
preparations while a member Of the House;
that is the public was told that that was
the reason. In addition to that was the
fact, apparently too petty to be publlcly
considered, that Mrs. Bland was a catho-
lie, and that she was rearing her chliureh
in that faith
Mrs. BANDS Conversion.
The member Of tie advisory board who
talked with The Star reporter about the
Bland family told the following story OF
the conversion of Mrs. Bland to Catholi-
cism Years ago, when she was living In
Washington with her husband and chill
dren, she was taken seriously i'll and her
life was Gespaired of. Among the many
visitors were q number of Cathollc ladies'
and several Sisters CT Mercy. Their at
tention to Mrs. Bland was assiduouS. SO
unseltish aid SO devoted that she was
impressed, and on recovering Joined a
Catholic church. Mr.. Bland himself Is a
member of the Presbyterian Church.
AS stated, the oStensible opposition to
Mr.. Bland two years ago was because ne
had voted for sectarian appropriations, but
the story about Mrs. BANDS religious con-
nections was secretly circulated among the
\. =. y. members.
VIII he Open Opposition.
Mr.. BANDS friends here say that he will
not be worried by the opposition OF the
American Protective Association. They
say 1t is exceedingly probable that the
democratic national convention will adopt
plank strongly condemning the order.
If 1t does this the order will have The
whole party to fight and not an individual
aspirant for the presidency. In the MasSa-
chusetts democratic convention few days
ago the principal speaker condemned the
order, and his utterlnces seemed TO meet
the sentiments of the members of the con-
Vention. ElseW here democratic orators
have taken the same stand.
1t Is said that the advisory board OF the
o'der will meet again soon to pass upon
the records of men whose names have been
mentioned for the democratic nomination..
The records Of Cleveland. Carlisle. Russell,
Pattison. oiney, Bland. Boies Tillman.
Matthews. Campbell, and others. Will be
gone over. and the order Will be Motif ID
which of these men are obj acti0naDln and
which can pass muster.
Preparing for Mckinley.
From authoritative sources it is learned
that the A +. A. councils throughout the
country are meeting nightly to consider
what course the members will take as to
Mckinley should he receive the republican
nomination. So far, it is said that the
councils have been loyal to the advisory
ICard. and will uphold il In the fight now
Waging.
In Washington there are leputei to be
several large councils. They holl almost
by prominent men, occasionally by Repre-
Sentatives or Senators. The Washington
councils, it is claimed, have Endorsed the
action of the advisory board as 20 McKin-
ley.
On a street the other day, when there
were no passengers aboard out d Star re-
porter. tAe conductor said:
Who do You think will receive the re-
publican nomination."
at looks like Mckinley is the winner"
well, I'll be sorry l have never voted
any other but republican ticket. but I'll
have TO go home and vote against him if
he is nominated"
You must be a member Of the A. P A."
Il am a me nber, and at last lights
meeting we agreed that we would vote
against Mckinley if he is nominated We
VIII go to our homes to do so, and Mckin-
ley will be beaten. The public doesn't
think we have a big membership hut 1t
will find out before this thing is over"