The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-09-24
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Sept. q, 1886.

bOl ., ttIANA ~ 10 CSiiA9
lived up to- The silver men are on
the retreat in every state in which
the Republican national and con
gressional committees has made real
fight for Mckinley and honest money,
but as yet the retreat is orderly. By
rebuilding their efforts, the Republi-
can managers believe they can make
it complete rout on the 3rd of No
vember-so complete that the free
coinage of silver by this country
alone will never be made a national
issue; and nothing less will satisfy
them. They are working with ali the
vim and energy they could put into
the campaign if the chances for Re
publican victory were doubtful in
stead of the victory being assured as
it is This pleases all the visiting Re-
publicans, as it enables them TO go
home and tell their friends that there
is no danger from overcontidence on
the part OF the men who are manag-
ing the campaign.
Chairman BabcOck, Of the congress
sional committee, is now giving spec,
ial attention to the congressional dis
tricts, and by the middle of OcTS"5er
he will know about what the size of
the Republican majority in the next
House viii be, Two years ago when
Mr.. Babc0ck gave out his figures,
they were hooted at by the Demo
Gratis and many Republicans were dis
posed TO smile at them, but when the
returns came in, il was seen that they
We're based upon direct information
from every congressional district
Mr.. Babc0ck is proud, as he has every
right 10 be- Of his record as chairman
of the congressional committee. He
doesn't believe in the wisdom Of max
ing big claims based on nothing but
hope, as the Popocrats are doing. He
thinks it possible always to obtain in
formation as 20 how at least so per
cent. Of the districts will go. several
weeks in advance OF the election, and
he wants the public to take his figures
as careful estimates and not as a mere
bluff for effect.
The using OF the official organ of
the Knights of Labor as a campaign
document, by the Bryanire managers,
has been quickly followed by ugly
charges against prominent officials of
the knights Of Labor. These charges
are made by responsible parties and
allege that drafts have been drawn on
Mr.. j. l.. Norris, assistant treasurer
Of the Democratic national commit
tee, in favor of Master Workman Sow
ereign and Gen. Secretary Treasurer
Hayes, who are in immediate charge
of the JOUr12GI Of the KnightS Of La
Dor, published at Washington, and
that similar drafts have been draSr
in favor of officials Of the Knights 81
Labor at Chicago, Cincinnati and st.
Paul, and paid through a Washing
ton bank The stir created by these
charges is by no means confined to
the members of the Knights of Labor,
who do not approve of the selling OF
the influence OF the organization to
Bryan, but extends to all who are OPP
posed to bribery as a political agent,
and may result in rumpus of large
dimensions in the Knight of Labor.
About the most notable thing CON
nected with the appearance Of Mr..
Bryan in Washington, Saturday
night, and his speech upon that occa-
sion, was his gall in making the fare
well address OF George Washington
the basis of his speech which endorsed
the Chicago platform. Even the
heavens weep said a gentleman
present when the rain storm put a
sudden stop to Bryan's speech. Wash
ington said In contemplating the
causes which may disturb our union,
it occurs as a matter of serious CON
Germ that any ground should have
been furnished for characterizing par
ties by geographical determinations,
Northern and Southern, Atlantic and
Western; whence designing men may
endeavOr to excite belief that there
is a real difference of local interests
and views" Designing Mr.. Bryan is
seeking the Presidency through ar
raigning class against class and sec
ton against section. Again, Wash
ington said: las a very important
source of strength and security cherish
public credit" Mr.. Bryan's pri1rric
pal business is the advocacy OF de-
preciated currency, which will injure
both private and public credit.
There have been some more or less
amusing stories in connection with
Mr.. Bryan's coming to Washington to
make a speech. In the first place
there was no END of trouble in getting
place for him to speak; then there
was more trouble about the distribu-