The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-06-25
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

The more the situation is studied the
more apparent il becomes that the Demo
cratic party alone cannot elect its nomi-
nee for President and Vice President
this year. 1t is true that all.the indica-
tionS point to the nomination of free
coinage candidate for President by the
Democratic party this year and the adop-
ton of a platform declaring for the re-
monctzation of silver; yet even this is
doubtful if the two-thirds rule be adhered
to. Even however admitting that Dem
ocracy will select as it's standard bearer
man who will subscribe to "a free coinage
platform it does not follow by any
means that he will he elected: for not
only is the party suffering from the de
preston caused by its overwhelming de
feat two years ago, but owing to the ac-
tion of the administration on the currencN
question there is Il serious division among
its followers on the financial issue 1t will
be necessary therefore for it to obtain help
from without in the shape of the Popu-
list vote, nor with the serious detection in
its own ranks among the gold standard
Democrats, defeat is almost certain.
In Virginia Democratic success, so far
as the national ticket is concerned, is by
no means assured. There are a large
number of gold Democrats in this State
who will vote for Mckinley rather than
for Il free silver candidate. This element
is scattered all over the State and is a
vital factor in nearly every Cnogres-
slonal district, while at the same time
the Populist party is stronger, more ag-
gressiye and more hopeful than at any
time in its history. If the gold standard
Democrats vote the Republican ticket
and it is generally believed they will the
latter will be able to elect their candi-
dates in majority of the Congressional
districts unless the silver Democrats can
secure the cooperation of the Populists
In this, the Sixth Congressional district
the Popullsts two years ago cast nearly
1000 votes, this without any concert of
action, without any organization or any
hope of success from the beginning 1t
is well known that hundreds OF Populists
fearing their candidate, Mr. Rucker
could not be elected voted for Major Otey
rather than run the risk of having this
district represented in Congress by Mr.
Hoge. the then recent convert to Repub-
licanism. Populism coupled with free
silver has made wonderful strides
throughout Virginia during the past
year and seeing its principles ad-
vocated by thousands of new recruits. the
party organization will no longer oc-
cupy negative position, but will place
a full ticket in the field with "A determi-
nation to win. 1t is now generally be
iieved there will be three tickets i'm the
field in Virginia this fall; perhaps four
should the temperance party bring out
ticket. If the Republicans and gold
ribbed Democrats vote for the Repub lican
candidates, and the Populists flushed
with the hope of success rally to their
candidates, where will the Democratic
candidates for Congress stand? viii
they not in many of the districts of the
State he found far in the rear-the hind
most in the racer
In the Sixth Congressional district two
years ago, Otey received in round mum
hers 10000 votes; Hoge received 5000
votes and Rucker 1000 In that election
at least 1000 Populists voted for Otey in