Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-08-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Iron Our Special Correspondent

WAsMNaToNT.C.. Aug. Z, $50.
Every losing campaign has a scape-
goat, but he is not usually trotted out
until after election. In reversing this
custom and making Senator Jones, of
Arkansas, Chairman of the Democratic
National Committee, q scapegoat be-
fore the campaign has had a chance to
get ever fairly started, the Democrats
let the cat out Of the bag, and showed
how hopeless they consider the pros
poets of Bryan, anarchy, reputation
and free silver. Whether Mr.. Jones
showed poor judgment when he gave
that interview abusing the Populists,
as charged by some of the Democrats
is a matter which does not concern Re.
publicans; neither does the Democratic
charge that Mr.. Jones has already
proven himself 10 be incompetent to
manage as big a thing as a Presidential
campaign. When a political platform
attacks common honesty, common
sense and our highest legal tribunal,
as that adopted at Chicago does, no
amount of good management could Sc
cure the election of candidates who
stand upon that platform. That is
why the astute and willy Senator Cor
man has declined to take any position
of responsibility in the campaign; he
won n national ca npaign and he has
no idea of losing the prestige thus
gained by becoming a partner OF Sena-
tor Jones in the sscapegoat business.
Representative Apsley, of Massachu
sets Vice Chairman Of the Republican
Congressional Committee, has planned
a trip which will combine the rest and
recreation he needs with the getting of
valuable political information for the
committee. Accompanied by Repre-
sentative Mccall, of the same State, he
will travel through Nebraska, the two
Dakotas. WasEnkton, Oregon, Cali
lorna and most of the Middle Western
States.
While there are men who advocate the
independent free coinage of silver by
this Government at a ratio of 10 TO | as
the result of a long study of the sub
ject and because they believe it would
not only benefit the wealthy owners of
the silver mines but the people as well,
it can not be denied that many of
the men, especially those who are
ignorant, who are shouting for free
silver are doing SO for no other reason
than their belief that under free silver
they would get money for nothing
from the Government. That these men
regard free silver as meaning free
money for them is fully proven by let
tiers which have been received by the
treasury department., giving full direc.
tons as to how their share Of silver
shall be forwarded to the writers. The
existence of this free money belief
among the ignorant also accounts for
the blind confidence of that class in the
triumph of free silver; they can not
understand how anybody will vote
against being furnished with a supply
OF free money by the Government,
Once convince this element that they
would have to work just as hard to ge,
money under Il free coinage law OF
they do now, and that after they have
gotten it will purchase much less thar
Mt present and the free silver craze will.
have had its backbone broken.
After all they have done to catcl
~populist votes it will surprise nobod,
if the Populists end by pulling Bryan
off their ticket and giving Tom Watson
another running mate. The feelin,
between the Democrats aud Populist
is very far from hcordial at this tim,
and it 10 growing worse instead of bet
ter. Senator Jones' interview, black
guarding the southern Populists, an,
the result of the Alabama election
have both added materially to the il
will which the Populist leaders bea
the Democrats. Whether they 90 a
each others Threats or make friend
and vote together will not make tn
slightest difference in the result of th,
election. The Republican platform i
strong enough of itself alone to carr,
a much less popular man than Maj
Mckinley.
There is no discount on the gall o
those New York gold Democrats VIII,
are reported to have proposed that il
return for their votes for McKin
ley and Hobart electors the Republi
cans should agree to help them cleo
q gold Democrat as Senator Hill
successor. The man who attempts Il
sell u gold brick does not make a NOR,
glaring attempt TO get something 10
nothing than this was. While Repub
licans will welcome the votes of golf
Democrats for Mckinley and Hobart
they are not dependent upon thos
votes for success in New York, or else
where. Senator Hills successor is ex
pected to be a Republican.
N.|".