Evening star., 1896-08-24
GOLD MAKING HEADWAY.
Virginia Democrats Changing Their
Minds.

Virginia Democrats ChanEinE Their
Minds.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
RICHMOND. Va. August "a. 1893
Much to the surprise and disappointment
OF the free sflverites here, the forces of the
SOUND money PEOPLE are rapidly growing
until they have assumed Formidable
strength. Ever since the large and repre-
sentative gathering of sound money people
at the Young Mems Christian Association
last Tuesday night, and the organization
OF that body, the advocates of free silver
here have opened their eyes. At the meet
ing Tuesday night. there were about 700
well-known citizens present, and among
them were many of the representative bus
mess men of the city. The president Of the
Sound Money League elected at the meet
ing Is man OF fine judgment and an able
business man. being superintendent of the
Tredegar Company. AS chairman Of the
state organization committee William Writ
Henry was chosen. He is a grandson OF
Patrick Henry, the world-renowned pa
triot. and is one of the ablest lawyers IN
the state. Mr.. Henry, together with his
son-in-law, James Lyons announced soon
after the adoption Of the Chicago platform
mat ne would not support the ticket, al
though he had for many years been a
stanch and faithful democrat The Sound
Money League has commenced work in a
purely business way. The organization has
opened headquarters In q centrally located
building in the business part of the city
and will make every effort to spread sound
money literature broadcast across the land
Already representatives of the organizatio
have been sent to New York and other
cities to secure suitable speakers for the
campaign in Richmond particularly and at
various points throughout the state. Some
OF the leading speakers In the country will
be secured.
Cochran Criticized.
Cochran to come down and deliver an ad-
dress, and it was about settled that the
famous New York orator would come at a
date suitable to the sound money leaders
here; but at the eleventh hour the PRO
fessional farmer and southern slave hold
err paragraph in the well-known orators
Madison Square speech was taken up here
and used as political material against the
sound money people and that cause at
large. There Is no doubt that there is a
strong undercurrent of feeling here against
Mr. Cochran for this part of his speech
and 1t is feared If he should come here
there would be violent opposition thrown In
the way Of the meeting
The sound money people here are in a
position to command large sums of money
for the campaign. and they are working
hard to get their views and plans before
the people at large. Not less than half a
dozen sound money clubs have been or
ganized In this city. Some of these are
Chesapeake and Ohio railway shops and
other large industrial plants. 1t is an omen
secret that not only the Chesapeake and
ONO and the Southern railway, which is
controlled by Pierpont Morgan, the nago-
tlator of the S2.IO,pW.0U0 of bonds sold by
the Cleveland administrat ton, are working
hard for the sound money movement, hut
1t Is evident that most of the other trans
portation lines and large manufacturing
concerns are either directly or indirectly
favoring the movement The consequence
Is that men have been sent out from Rich
mond to organize sound money clubs In
various psrts or the state, and the move
ment. which at first seemed weak and un-
important. has grown to formidable pro-
portions.
George ID. Wise Again.
In this district it is almost settled that a
sound money man will be brought out for
Congress. The advocates Of the yellow
metal arc only holding off a short while
Until the contest between Elicit and Lamb
Is over. and then 1t is certain that they
will get together and agree upon a man.
Mr. George Wise is the most prominent
man now under consideration, and il Is be-
leVed he Will be the man. 1t is not 10 be
doubted that the sound money candidate
Will command large number of votes
from the republican party. Indeed, 1t is
likely That the republicans. instead of put
ting up candidate, will support the sound
money democrat, and there will be- in
reality, If not in name. sort of fusion for
the time between the sound money demo-
Gratis and the republicans Of the district.
At state republican headquarters here it
cannot be learned whether or not they win
put up a candidate. They are waiting to
see what the democrats will DO. On the
other hand, 1t Is not unlikely that the pop
ulists will drop out Of the contes. this time
SO far as their having candidate is con-
cerned, and will probably support the free
silver democratic candidate.