The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-07

SiIvcr seems 20 he Losing In Democratic
Campaign Encouraging signs OF Times


win. 1t is a Democratic contest, and the
prizo is the Democratic nomination Tor
Governor. IL the sound-money Democrats
shall win Congressman r. II. Clarke VIII
be the glbcrnat0riaI candidate OF tnclr
,afty, " the silver men shalt win, capt
Joseph It. Johnston Will bc The candidate.
In order 20 understand Thoroughly me
political situation ia this state u is neces-
sArv 90 know something OF tnc history OF
tie Democratic party in Alabama Tor the
last six years. The FARMERS Alliance was
strong I'm Alabama IN 1881 When that or
eanizaton first entered into politics, at its
annual meeting at s.. Louis in 1he early
lart Of December Of that year, there was
a strong oeiCgatiOn oil representative
member from this State In attendance
Tie financial scheme embodied in the
platform adopted Jointly by the alliance
and tho Knights OF Labor az that meeting
was az once vigorously assailcd 10y iead-
Ing Democrats in this state The result
was that Captain Reuben r. hoib. wh"
was then .ho Democratic Commissioner
of Agriculture FOR this state and "a leader
in the Farmers Alliance. became "a eau
cidatc upon -ns platform for the houii~-
ton hy the Democratic party as its cam
dldafe for Governor. There were iVtf
other candidates. Of whom Captain Joseph
i. Johnston was the leadins one h tue
Democratic Stale Convention.
Tho contest for the nomination I'D that
convention was the btlfercst one that mas
ever been known i'm the history of the
Democratic party in this state. 10 re-
s,tired tho combined strength OF the ioni
other candidates to- defeat Captain Noi"
nomination a combination was hnaiiy
Effected through which Colonel 4 ~ mas g.
Jones was nominated and subsequently
elected
Tn rSqg Cautain Koib contested with Gov
ofnor Jones for the nomination, bat after
tic most holly fought campaign. In when
Governor Jones proved himself 10 ne one
Of tae ahiast speakers upon ;hc hustines
ever known in the State. his friends car
ricd the convcniion Captain hoio re-
fused 10 abide by the result, organized
separate convention. and became tho can
didate Of what was styled the 'Jeierso-
man Democracy Gov Jones was re-
elected by I'D. 900 majority. but the cam
paien Of that year will always be MEM
orahle one in tho politics of This state Tor
the wonderful visor and ability with winch
IL was prosecuted by Gov. Jones.
Many Democrats who had been led of
through the Farmers Alliance voted Tor
CAPTAIN Kolb. The election for State OIL
GERS occurs in August In this state. 80
that year thorough canvas for Dresi-
Dental electors and members Of Congress
Immediately succeeded the State election.
Many OF the Democrats who had voted
for Captain rob i'm August. being unwil-
ling TO abandon their party voted the
Democratic ticket I'm November. and the
Democratic majority was increased TO
1900.
The strength which Captain Joseph Z.
Johnston had shown in his contest for
tho Democratic nomination for Governor
in 1890 had made him a fev0rite candidate
for the succession upon the expiration OF
GovJOne's second term. and IL was gem
orally expected that no would be nomi-
mated. Hut when President Cleveland
sent his message to the extra session Of
Congres.. Ia August 1885, urging the re-
peal OF the purchasing clause Of the Sher-
man law Captain Johnston In an inter-
view which appeared day or TWO there
after In his home paper, severely criti-
cised the message lie strongly empha-
sized his advocacy OF the free. unlimited.
and Independent Coinage OF silver az the
ratio of 16 to 1 by this government. al
though he was then the president of
leading national bank. lie said the peo-
7 had asked the President for bread he
J al given them a stone. that he did not
believe there was q member from Alaba-
ma who would take the Presidents i'd
vice. but If there was. 10 would not take
him twelve months 10 feel and forever
remember the deserved scourage that the
Democrats OF his district would lay on
his back
The Democrats who advocated sound
money and supported tho Democratic
National Administration when the cam
yaign OF 1894 was APPROACHING turned
with one accord TO Col. William G. oates.
VINO was then member of Congress and
in rcnorsl accord with Mr.. ClcVeland's
adr iuistratiOn, 90 lead them as their can
didate for governor. After much pres
sue Colonel Oates consented 10 run. lie
made n remarkably strong sOund-monoy
canpaign FOR the nomination. which he
seccred over Captain Johnston, who had
become the frcC-sivcr candidate. by
majority of az in convention composed
Of 500 delegates. lie then entered upon
campaign against Captain Kolb, who had
left the Democratic party and had
been made the candidate OF the
Popu'ists and Republicans a. a
fusion Of the two parties upon
one ticket. both state and Congressional.
The campaign was fought with great
Nleor by both sides. but Colonel OATES was
elected IN August 10y q majority of 1859
votes.
Captain Johnston has constantly Kept
up the agitation Of free coinage ever since
November as 81 candidate Cor the Demo-
cratic nomination for governor this year
a. an advocate cf the free coinage Of
SILVER.
Governor oates announced in one Of
the first speeches he made in the cam
pairn I'm iSH that he would not be a cam
didate for o second term as governor, hut
would be candidate for United States
senator TO succeed MIR Pugh Hence
G.. I.... !.
MIN 10 become candidate for governor
this year. ne steadily refused TO DO so.
except at one time Immediately after the
general elections last November he dil go
SO far as 10 authorize The statement that
in the Interest OF harmony. il the u0mi-
nation should be rendered TO him without
any opposition DC would not decline st.
when Captain Johnston two on three
days after This authorized statement of
Governor Oates, denounced MS candidacy.
the governor Withdrew his name entirely
from consideration. II 0id not take the
sound-money administration Democrats
throughou; the state. however. very long
90 select candidate for. usiiucHvelv
they ;ernel 20 T.. II. Clarke of Mobile
The present representative in Congress OF
the Mobile district. Mr.. Clarke was noi
DESTROYS az holding the Office OF governor
lle preferred 10 succeed Mr.. Pugh in tic
Senate. TIE is. nevertheless q candidate
for the noiaina lion, and has been actively
ENGAGED ~ canyaeging The state.
u g. wei known that the two Irnitcd
States senators from Alabama. Nessrs
Morgan and Purh are very pronounced
free-siiyer advocates. So are ail the mem
bcfs OF fho House cScen, Messfs. Clarke
and Harrison. essrs Morgan and Pueh
came into the cate early I'M November
last and Were present ai q conference