Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-09-20
GEN. &C. WATTS AT DAVIS.
The TOwnspeOple Turn Out En- Masse
to Hear the Next Governor.

Iuo lOWuepoOP4o luIu Ou. Ii MaSSe
to Hear the Next Governor.
There was Only One Days Notice
of the Meeting. But the Biggest
Hall in the Town was Not Large
Enough to Hold the People-A
Masterful Argument - Platitudes
and Oratory Found No Place in
the Address - Cold Facts and
Logical Arguments Tor People
Anxious to Learn the Truth About
the Money Question.
From a Staff Correspondent
Davis, w. Va, September 19.-Gen.
C. C. Watts was not billed TO speak here
tonight, but he was prevailed upon to
address the people Of DAVIS. ani they
turned out en- masse. Notwithstanding
the brief notice, the larg.s hail in town
was crowded and the aud enee followed
closely every argument OF Cd speaker.
frequently interruptLng him with ap-
plause. Gen. Watts's speech was arcu-
ment, not oratory; facts, not meaning
less plattudes. He was not more ear
nest in his discussion han were his
hearers in their manifestations Of in
jerest. The speech undoubtedly made
votes.
GEN. WATTS SPEECH.
Gen. Watts spoke substantially as
follows:
We are to-day In the midst Of a re-
markable campaign, campaign which
is trying the very souls of men. We
Americans are prone 10 boast that We
live in a free country; We have been
educated to the opinion thar it IS the
best on earth. These things have been
taught us by our forefathers. In the
past we have believed that IL was tha
most prosperous on the face Of tho
globe, its people happy and contented,
but we have been forced to the con-
clusion, during the last quarter OF a
century, that in this splendid land,
blessed in natural resources, and great
IN material wealth, that our people have
found hard times in the midst OF plenty.
In locking for the cause Of the pres
ent depression, which has settled like
a blight upon this land. / shall briefly
state some homely truths, which l think
may well claim your attention.
In the first place, | shall not take w
your time with the discussion Of State
issues, except to call your attention TO
the fact that the Democratic parry mas
administered the affairs Of West Fir-
ginia, becomingly, prudently and hon
estly. These facts are not even chal-
lenged by our opponents. Our Demo-
cratic State convention declared against
any agitation of the Virginia debt ques-
'tion. and the platform Of that conven-
ton endorsed the platform OF the CHI
cago convention, ana ,le nominees OF
that cionvention-Bryan and Sewall.
Cloud applause). / stand before you,
supporting both platforms and in IA
vor of the remOnitizaton Of silver, at
the ratio OF 16 to 1. Renewed applause).
am In favor of restoring silver TO It's
position in the MONETARY system OF this
nation, as provided for in the COnsu-
tuition.
PARTY LINES SHATTERED.
In
tent. shattered. Our own party is d.
vided. and some Democrats have gone
to the Republican camp. do noi ques-
tion their motives. And many honest
Republicans have deserted their party
on it's single gold standard. We ma
men Of all parties arrayed under jn
silver banner. with the past behind
them, and looking TO the future
common cause, actuated by common
interest, with a common purpose
improvement IN the condition oi OBJ.
masses of the land.
In 1865. when the clouds Of war had
rolled back, and the sun OF peace 'A'le
on a reunited people, the per capita a.,
distribution OF he money OF .h Dl
States was $50. Since that Tine il''.
has been a steady contraction Do ,at
currency. We had $50, | say, in lH,'4.
and Is there q man within the sound %.
NV voice who viii say that he bad ..'
much monay then? Can you elite I'D
instance n this State or re.on. -
which the business Interests WEE f.'..-
sented by too much money? j a-''
failed to find any evidence Of lc" a.
condition OF affairs. Yet through a'
influence of a. specuators, who Ii-
tened off the struggles Of this e'
ment i'm the hour Of It's adyer
half .of the money OF the pe'"'.
money of the Constitution was
down.
Gen. Watts here took up th
of Sherman and Carlisle. am -io"
M bo'h in IN I1auyia5ie ign .i'
necton with the demonetizat on
1874 In 1865. he said Sha
troduced a bill in the Sena
down silv r. bur Senator "
New York. presented a minot
mittee report upon the Dill a..
man had not the tCmeri;y 70 ctt
majority report until after Sen.'".
oan,s term expired. The ca
fhen re-shuffled and dealt ..-
the scenes changed to the Hou
resenta,lves. where the bill 49,.
and Sherman engineered it IT,
Senate.
THE ACT OF 1879.
Mr. Blaine was Speaker a, .. ~.
and he stated afterwards iaa
moi know the bin demone .].' 5.'.. -..-,.
silver was stricken down, an l.l5 .'. .-. .
of he nation difrused amoas me ,. -,r,-
million n, ''i people Of the South. VINO l.l el'Hi
hack after the war, nece7 R .rl
further contraction. d. . or oe,er
your own experience, sho. had 70