Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-17
THE OLD DOMINION
Governor0 D Ferrall's Letter Defending
His Political Course.
SUITABLE TO TIE SOUND MONEY MEN
The Sentiment Against Silver In
creasing Throughout the State.
REVIEW OF CONDITIONS

COrrespor deEoe Of The Evening Star.
RICHMOND, Va. October 16. 1896
Governor O'Ferrall's letter published in
morning paper here this week, in which he
makes a complete statement as to his posi-
ton on the currency question, and defend
ing himself against the hostile attacks of
many newspapers on account of his politi-
cal views, has been widely discussed in
political circles here. The general opinion
among the most conservative people seems
to be that Governor O'Ferralrs letter is
strong defense of his position on the cur
.rency question, and that many of his argu-
ments are unanswerable by his opponents
The fact that the enemies of the sound
money movement are hunting up Governor
y Ferralls record on the money question
durirg his career In Congress ami are
sending cut as campaign literature extracts
from some Of his speeches appears to have
had little effect in this city and vicinity
Several of those who Joined the attacking
party and sympathized with the movement
calling Tor the governors resignation have
subSlded, and 1t is a notable fact that in
buckingham Lunenburg and other coun-
ties movements by some of the antagonists
OF the governor to have resolutions adopted
CONCERNING him for his position on the
currency question fell fiat, and in Bucking-
ham county resolutions were passed in
dorsing the governor and unfolding him in
his views. 1t as evident that the Efforts of
the noisiest silver people to work up strong
opposition to the governor and his course
are meeting with less enthusiasm and the
people are beginning to- see that the move
ment is at bottom nothing more nor less
IMAM systematic attempts to coin political
capital out of the situation.
Coercion I'm n Congregational District,
The Star correspondent has learned from
reliable source of systematic efforts TO
establish a system of coel cion in the sixth
congressional district. 1t has been learned
from authoritative sources that letters
have been sent out by man signing HIM
self tie Manager OF the Silver Protection
Association, with headquarters in Lynch
burg. to q number of people throughout the
district to work up the movement of es-
tablishiEg merchandise stores under the
control of free silver proprietors. These
letters state that merchants who are in
favor of gold standard of currency VIII
be boycotted by all the free silver people
1t is believed that this movement is being
worked up In various portions Of the state
The free silver democratic state committee
now has sixty-three speakers on the stump
in Virginia. Nearly 30 dates are an
nounced for political speeches. OF these
speakers several are populists, among them
Senator Hale of Franklin county and j.
Hosliins Hobson. the populist high priest in
Virginia. The gold standard democrats
have thirty-four speakers on the stump
and about 100 dates for addresses an
nounced. The republicans have about fifty
speakers on the stump. with more than 100
dates announced. The number of speakers
will be gradually increased from now until
election day. There has not been so much
political speaking in Virginia for a quarter
of century.
Sound Money I'm the Second.
Down in the second Congressional district
the. chances for the election of a sound
money democrat are quite favorable. The
nomination of William NJ. Whaley of Nor
folk. is feather in the cap of the state
sound money democratic committee that en-
g.neered the movement. Mr.. Whaley is one
of the most prominent business men of
Norfolk city. He has large lumber inter-
ests. and will get heavy vote from the
lumber people. 1t is also probable that
since the retirement Of Deyer. the anti
Lamb republican candidate for Congress in
that district. the latter's support will be
thrown to Whaley. who stands for a pro-
tective tariff well sound money. 1t is
now stated that the reports to the effect
that DIR. Richard A. Wise. the republican
district, would be taken down are without
foundation. and that DR.. Wise will remain
On the ticket In this event the fight in the
second district will be a triangular contest
with fighting chance for each candidate
1t is believed however, that before the cleo
ton SO heavy a pressure will be brought to
bear upon the republican candidate to make
him withdraw that he will not remain on
he ticket. In this event most of his SUD-
pert will be given to Whaley. w. A. Young
the free silver candidate. is making a des-
perate fight, but it is quite likely that he
will be defeated. The religious element is
fighting him upon the ground that he is
representing the whisky people. There is
very strong sound money sentiment in the
second district. which sent sound money
delegation to the state democratic conven-
ton that met in Stanton.
Swan.on'. Hard Fight.
In the fifth district Congressman Swan
son Is having an uphill fight for reelection.
At first he had everything his own way. ).
X. Brown then came cut a candidate on
the republican ticket. Mr.. Brown is a
member OF large and influential family in
the district. He has developed a great deal
of strength of late He is the same gentle
man who defeated George Cabell for Con-
gress some years ago. Subsequently q.
w. B. Hale announced himself a candidate
on the populfst platform, and this made
triangular fight, with the odds against
Swanson. Afterwari Hale withdrew and
commenced to canvass for Swanson. Mean
time the sound money sentiment in the dis
trfct developed rapidly, and the Danville
Register. the most influential paper in the
district, came over from free silver to the
sound money forces. The fight now will be
gether doubtful whether Swanson will be
reelected. There are meny negroes i'm the
fifth district and it is apparent all through
the state that the negroes are going to vote
more at this election than for many years
Counties Strong for Sound Money.
There fs a significant state of affairs pre-
vailing in Buckingham county. That county
is now the strongest gold county in the
state. 1t is the home of Gen. Logan, chair
man of the state sound money democratic
committee, ard Gen. Logan yields a broad
influence in the county. Buckingham was
formerly a place where glaring election
frauds were perpetrated. Large majoritics
were made up in that county so a to help
in the congressional elections. Cumberland
county had the same reputation and il is
believed justly. Harry Flood. candidate for
Congress from the tenth district on the free
silver democratic platform. depended
largely for his strength upon Buckingham,
Cumberland, Fluvanna and Appomattox
counties. Owing to the strong sound money
sentiment which has developed in these
counties, and the concerted and systematic
plans for an honest election, that part of
tie district is practically taken from Mr.
Floods strength The portion of the dis
triot where Senator Thos S. Martin had SO
powerful an influence has branched off
from that gentleman, whose influence has
been steadily on the decrease in Buckinp-