Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-03
Their Debate is Attracting Interest
Among the Politicians.
Fight FOR TEE CONTROL OF TIE STATE
Gold Democrats Making an Effort
in Only Two Southern States.


The Crisp-Smith debate, in Georgia, is at
tracing more than passing interest among
the politicians at the Capitol. The debate
is a forerunner Of the contest to take place
in that state between the two factions Of
the party. Secretary Smith has made
talf dozen speeches in the state within the
last six months, and has aroused the
Sound money" faction to action. That fac
ton will put up a strong fight to secure the
delegation to the national convention, but
at this time has no strong hope of winning.
They claim to be increasing in strength
every day, and are relying on Secretary
Smiths speeches to turn the tide in their
direc ton. On the other hand, Mr.. Crisp's
speeches are expected to put new life into
the silverites, and to put them into condi-
ton which will defy defeat.
What the Silver Men Sny.
The silver people Of the state say that 1t
is absolutely necessary for the safety of
the party that they should have control of
the state. With gold standard candidate
for President and the sound money" men
In the saddle over the silver men in state
affairs. the election in November would be
exceedingly doubtful. Throughout the state
many prominent democrats have publicly
declared that they will not support a gold
standard nominee. Various newspapers
have made the same declaration. All this
Is encouraging to the populsts Should
both the national and state machinery be
in the hands of the sound money peo-
pie there is grave doubt, it is said, of the
ability of the democrats to hold the state.
There have been defections of few prom
inent white men to the republican party,
and this adds to the uncertainty. The lead
ing silver paper of the state is accused by
the opposition of intoxicating populist doc
trlnes in its effort to carry the state for
silver.
OF course. the gold men see no reason for
alarm. The silver leaders, like Crisp they
say. are pledged to abide the will of the
majority and of the party. These silver
leaders will have to exert all their power
and influence for the party If they are
beaten. This fact prevents the gold men
being scared.
In Other Southern States.
Alabama and Georgia are the only south
ern states in which the gold standard demo-
Gratis are putting up a fight. In North Caro-
lima, Tennessee. South Carolina, Mississippi,
Arkansas and Texas not much is being done
against the silver majorities. There is a
factional fight in South Carolina between
the silver men over the question of boiling
the nomination at Chicago. Florida and
Louisiana haven't begun the battle on an
extensive scale, but the gold men will make
lights in those states.
In Arkansas the gubernatorial fight IL no.
tween silver men. The fight shows how
strong the feeling is against 4 gold stand
ard Mr.. Jones, who is not related to the
senator, announced on the stump. can
didate for governor, that he would not sup
port the nominee of the Chicago convention
II he was not for free coinage Mr. Harod
who Is also silver man, announced that he
would support the nominee of the conyen-
ton If he was the devil and If RothschiId
dictated the platform. Jones' platform has
caught the fancy of the people, and Arkan-
sas congressman say that he is sweeping
stated that Mr.. Harod was winning, but this
Is contradicted here. This is alluded to as
showing, the silver men say, how strong
the 1eehns Is in the south for boiling
"Dick" Bland to the Front.
The boiling feeling in Missouri is regarded
as much stronger than in some other states
10 Keep the silver men of that state in line
they are being told that the national con-
Ventfon VIII be for silver, and that Silver
LICK Bland stands good chance of being
nominated for Vice President on tho tictat
with some strong silver candidate for Pres;
dent Around the Capitol for a week the
silver democrats have talked a great deaf
ABOUT Boies Of Iowa, and have coupled
Blands name with that of the Iowaian The
name of Governor Stone of Missouri b.s
also been mentioned for the vice president
tial nomination. r.
Southern Man for Vice Presfdent.
Ihere will be no scarcity of vice presi-
Dental timber If the silver men are in con-
troll at Chicago. This place will almost sure
~ go 10 southern man, In recognition of
the south's position in favor Of silver. Near
~ every southern state will put up a candi-
date. Alabama has Morgan, Georgia has
Walsh or some other man, Missouri has
Vest, Bland or Stone; Mississippi has Money
or Dinsmore; Texas has Savers, Bailey. Gull
berson and others; Tennessee has Harris
Bate, McMillin and Taylor; Arkansas has
Jones and other good men; South Carolina
has Tillman >