Catoctin clarion., 1896-06-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON, JUNE 22ND. 1896.

Senator Teller's boom for the Presi
Dental by the silver men, is the most
talked of political topic just now.
Before Senator Teller formally with
drew from the Republican party, at the
St. Louis convention, bis boom Was only
strong probability; TODAY it is form
liable force, being pushed by men of
political experience. While there has
been no formal endorsement of Teller's
candidacy BY the Populists, influential
members Of that party have told silver
democrats that Teller is the only man
mentioned in connection with the CHI
ca 90 nomination whose nomination wo'd
certainly be endorsed by the Populist
National Convention, and the same as
sertions are being made by the manag-
ers of the Silver party, which is to hold
a National Convention at S.. Louis on
the same date that the Populists' Con-
vention meets, July 22nd.
1t is too early in the game, to say
what the Teller boom will amount to,
but it is not believed in Washington that
he can get nominated by the Chicago
convention, even if that convention de
cides to nominate silver man. In view
of the latest figures. accepted by both
gold and silver democrats, which give
the silver men almost two thirds Of
that convention, it may seem strange to
speak of doubt existing as to the nomi'
nation Of silver man, but you cannot
spend an hour talking with unprejudic.
ed men who are carefully noting every
move made on the political board with
out becoming convinced that there is a
doubt. The reasons are numerous. The
silver men, while practically unanimous
on the subject of platform, are much
divided on candidates. That this state
of affairs will be worked for all it is
worth by such anti silver democrats as
Ex-Secretary Whitney and Senators
German, Brice and Hill, who are now
bnsy making plans to head off the sill
yer men Of their party, is certain.
Few men can be found who believe it
possible that any single ticket will be
put in the field which will be support
ed by all the silver men.
In addition to the efforts now being
made to influence the Chicago conven'
tion, steps are also being taken by them
to try to make the House anti silver,
however the Presidential election may
90. 1t is said that large fund will be
contributed to be used in fighting sill
yer candidates for Congress, no matter
what their party politics may be, in ey-
cry district in which there is the slight.
est chance to elect gold man.
The man who misinforms the people
is again getting his stuff printed in
the newspapers. HIS latest important
"break' was the statement that in the
event of neither Presidential candidate
getting majority Of the electoral votes
next November, and the election of Pre-
sidcnt being thrown into the Hou'e Of
Representatives, it would be the mem
bers of the House who are elected at the
same time that Presidential electors are
voted for, who would elect the Presi-
dent. The facts are 30 plain that it is
difficult to see how such an error could
have been made. The men who will be
elected to the House next November do
not actually assume their places as such
until the 4th of next March, the same
day the new President is inaugurated.
1t is the present House, the members Of
which were elected in November, 1894,
which would elect the President should
there be no election by the electoral
college. In voting for President the
House votes by States. the majority Of
each delegation deciding how that State
shall vote-a State only has one vote
and not as individuals. Divided on old
party lines, the republicans would have
decided majority Of the States, but di.
vided on silver and gold, the result WOO
be little doubtful.
The country will wait with some anx.
iety to see what the Senate and the
courts propose to do with Mr.. August
Belmont. This gentleman has just COM
mitted an offence precisely similar to
that for which Senate committee last
year procured indictments against Mr..
Havemeyer and others. In word Mr.
Belmont has fatty refused to impart to
the bond transaction investigating COM
mittee of the Senate, the details of his
business and the private affairs of his
clients. He will not tell the committee
the names of the persons who bought
United States bonds through the medi.