The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-07
HACAN is BACK.
Tells What the Intentions of the
Gold Democrats Are.
Will Try to Win the "GOOd Old
Democrats
WHO ARE IN DOUBT
AS to What They Should Do,
Back Again.
Replies to Criticisms of the
Free Silver Democrats.

Eugene Hagan, member of the ma
tiona1 committee from Kansas of the
gold Democratic party returned from
Indianapolis yesterday. He was asked
by a reporter:
What did you gather from the situa
tion and the feeling at Indianapolis as
to the strength of the sound money
Democracy in the United States?'
IF any Democrat or other person
ever doubted for a moment that the
Democracy of this nation made an un-
conditional surrender at Chicago or
proposed to disband and quit business
as a party in the nation, the size, char
acter and enthusiastic determination
of that convention ought to settle that
question.
1T has been my good fortune to at
tend several national conventions, and
I have never yet attended one that
represented such strong party leaders
and such high standard of citizenship
as the one at Indianapolis. AS we en-
tered the city there was something in
the general stir, hustle and decoration
in the general appearance of those that
we met in the enthusiasm that seemed
to be contagious, that said this is not
funeral but a resurrection of the Demo-
cratic party from defeat and destruc-
tion. I think the southern states mani
tested the greatest enthusiasm and
determination in this movement.
There was not only a full delegation
of strong, brilliant Democratic leaders
from all these states, but there were
large visiting delegations who had also
come. know nothing of the situation
in the respective states except what I
could gather in conversation and ex-
pressions made by the representatives
of these states. The assurance was
given by the representatives of Ken
lucky that Bryan and Watson would
be defeated in that state by from 10000
to 10000; that he was absolutely GER
tain to be defeated in Tennessee;
Louisiana and Alabama both asserted
and insisted that the fight there was
very close with the odds against Bryan.
Florida, whose delegation was one
hundred and fifty strong, would not
stop at the defeat of Bryan but insisted
that the sound money ticket nominated
at Indianapolis would carry the state.
Delaware, New Jersey, and New York
will snow Bryan and Watson under
with such majOrities never before heard
of in these states. The sound money
Democrats of the south will stand at
the ballot box and see that there is an
honest vote and fair count, and if Bry-
an and Watson carry the southern
states and it is declared that they have
received the electoral vote there will
be no question in my mind but that
they have done it fairly and honestly.
The only danger I see is the appar-
ent or possibly apathy in the Republi-
cans of some of the eastern states who
have arrived at the conclusion that it
is so One-Sided that it is not to be ser
iously considered and will not take the
interest that should be taken in the
campaign. I believe this is the only
serious question in this campaign.
Now. mark my prediction, Kentucky
defeat and Watson 20 fl00-
Tennessee 10000; Indiana, 10000; New
York 200, 900; New Jersey, 10000; Del
aware, 1000; Illinois, $4,000; and Ohio
80 900. They claim in the state of Indi-
ana at the present time at the national
headquarters an enrolment of 20, 600
sound money Democrats; in Kentucky,
60 900; in Tennessee, 100000 These fig
ures are but the character of the
strength in other states"
What do you propose to do in the
state of Kansas"
THE state convention of the sound
money Democrats assembled here on
the 25th of August, appointed a state
central committee and gave them
authority to take such steps as in their
Judgment they might see fit. This COM
mittee will be called together in a few
days and it will be determined then
what will be done.
4 want to say one word, however, in
relation to the movement in this state,
and this has been brought about by
some interviews that have appeared in
the press and some statements that
have been made on the streets that
have reached my ear. I have not seen
the press reports, but I understand that
such reports did appear.
Il am in a position to speak for the
movement in this state as far as ii has
advanced, and know exactly what
has been done and what prompted it to
be done. I am Informed that Governor
Click and Senator Martin, not only
through the press, but openly, assault |
ed the sound money Democrats. but
have made false and HbelOuS state
ments in regard to the movement. I
do not propose to get into controversy
the press or in any other place !
with any one, and do not propose to |
pay any further attention to what ex- |
pressions are made unless I am abso- |
Iutely forced to do it. AS far as this |
in this state is concerned as |
being prompted by a Republican or by |
any other person than the Democrats |
who believe in it themselves, it is not |
only false but it is made with the !
knowledge on the part of those who |
make it that it is false.
1T is somewhat amusing to see the |
righteous indignation with which these |
two gentlemen I have referred to de- |
nOunce this movement as being prompt |
ed by the milliOnaireS' money and the |
railroad funds. In the first place, the /
entire expenses of the sound money 4
movement in this state, as far as the |
national committee is concerned, does |
not exceed $3.50; to meet such expenses |
I have received one contribution of $50 |
from sound money Democrat. These |
expenses consist of hiring a hall, print
ing, etc.
LAS far as railroad transportation is /
concerned, I will say this: Every man
who attended the sound money national |
from Kansas, so far as I |
know, paid his own railroad fare; and /
will saw further that