The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-09-25
HIS DISASTROUS BLUNDHR
The So-CalIed InVaSicn Of the Enemy's
Country a Failure.
BRYAN'S MANAGERS SURRENDER EAST
They Abandon the Washington Headquar-
ters and Prepare for n Desperate Fight
Among the Disorganixed silver
Forces of the West.

WASHINGTON. ID. c., September IL
Specal.-The closing Of the branch OF
National Democratic Committees head
quarters in this city and the departure
of the members OF the Campaign Commit
tee for Chicago TO remain there until tho
ciose Of the campaign practically makes
the abandonment OF the East by tho Bryan
and Sewall managers.
When Mr.. Bryan closes his present
eaostern tour In New York. next Ihursay
night he will turn his attention to tho
West. and VIII endeavor TO regain inc
Ground he has lost In the sections by his
ill-advised invasion OF the East.
A DISASTROUS BLUNDER.
u his managers were doubtful Of tho
oerorts 10 carry the silver fight into what
Air BRYAN termed 1.-THE enemys country
~ the beginning OF the campaign. they
are now convinced that the venture mas
nroved a disastrous bunder. and they are
anxious 10 make up for lost time. II pos
sihie. in the few weeks remaining hcioie
the election. w.
Mr. Bryan. after his brief tour or west
virginia viii go direct 10 ~. Louis 10
address there the convention OF Demo
cratic clubs. ..,.,.,, III.
WHERE THE BATTLE MUST bD
FOUGHT
During the remaining weeks or inc
campaien he expects TO devote his at
tontion exclusively 10 Indiana, ILLINOIS,
Iowa and contiguous Western states ana
where he is now convinced the pa'tle must
be fought.
The reports from the West are OF the
most alarming character. so TAR aS lhe
silver leaders are concerned. Ihe hepunn-
cans and Sound-Money men are splendidly
orcanized. and are daily rendering less
likely the success Of the silver ticket tn
states which had been counted as certain
for Bryan.
SILVER FORCES DEMORAIIZED.
,rbo silver forces. on the other hand.
are not only without Organization. but
ara demoralizd by factionh dissenSions.
A proninen, writer on political topics.
who has lust returned from trip thought
the West. says the conflict of forces IN
that section resembles the efforts OF
mob against a disciplined army
Tho silver men have been leaving every
thing 20 chance while tho Republicans
are preparing for every emergency The
hest element Of the Democracy is opposed
TO the Chicago ticket. and are urging
their friends either 10 support Mckinley
outright or 10 vote for Palmer and Buck
ner
DISCONNECTED POPULISTS.
The populistS. on the other hand. arc
disconnected and divided I'm their senti-
ments. They want Sewall withdrawn and
Watson substituted. and despite the fact
that in many Ct the States plans Of -
sion have been adopted by 'he leaders ~
the Democratic and Popuiist parties. 10
IA freely predicted that many Popullsts
and silver Democrats will refuse 10 vote
tho fusion ticket.
As has been already stated. tho Demo-
cratic managers suspect the sincerity -
their Popnlist allies. and this suspicion
&C. intensifying rle feolins. Of bitterness that
divides the factions Of the silver party.
HOPE OF THE CLUBS.
II ia with the hope that .he organlza-
lion Of silver clubs may nave "A harmon
i2lng eject upon the turbulent elements,
that regard Mr.. Bryan as their leader.
that causes tho Democratic managers 20
pace such reliance on this branch OF
the campaign work
About the only information given out
by the Democratic Congressional Cam
paign Committee here consists or ro-
ports OF ciuD organization IN the differ
ent States.
HUNDREDS OF CLUBS.
Hundreds Of these reports are received
daily and there can be little question that
tho clubs Will be counted by tho thou
sands before the campaign closes Sew
eral hundred have been reported from
Virginia. and the officers Of the National
Association are using every effort 10
secure large representation Of am East
ern clubs az the ST. Louis Convention.
II can hardly he expected that tho clubs
can save the silver ticket from defeat
PALMER AND RUCKNER's VOTE.
The silver leaders now admit that tho
Palmer and Buckner ticket VIII roceive
n great many more votes than was orig
inally anticipated ana this g. another
cause Of serious anX. 49,
Altogether. the silver campaim seems
10 have reached the despairins STAGE ard
the whole movement appears o. be LOSE
Ing ground