The Atlanta constitution., 1896-04-27
JOE BLACKBURN
ON THE REPORT
That Hs Will Not Speak for the Free
Coinage Of Silver.
THE GOLD MEN STARTED 1T
Catchings Writes a Letter Stating
That He Will Cast His Vote in
Congress for Silver.

blackburn vigorously denies the press re
port sent out from Louisville that he has
declined to take the stump for silver dur
ing this campaign. When l asked nm
about il today he replind:
1T Is a lie concocted by some OF the
goll men of Louisville. l am now making
the most vigorous fight l know how ana a
fight that l have no doubt Will give us the
delegation from kentucky 10 the conVeh-
ton. Instead of quitting the light propose
to take the stump and win it. KENTUCKY IS
a free coinage state"
"And YOU believe Kentucky viii send
free coinage delegation to Chicago!" 1
asked.
Il certainly 10 The majority OF the
democratic party of kentucky is for free
coinage and We propose to control the con
vention and send an instructed delegation
to Chicago.
Il have not bad an opportunity TO talk
with Senator Vest yet" continued the Ken
lucky senator, but I hope the reports are
true that ne will come to Kentucky and
make several speeches for us.
Catching to His Constituents.
The letter Of General CatchinSs, of Mis-
sissippi, to his constituents is a victory
for the silver cause.
Upoh the advice and at the request OF
many OF his friends at home, he mas writ
ten a letter stating that he win cast his
vote in congress for the free coinage of
silver If his constituents in convention in
struct him to do so. lie believes that the
people Of his district have the right 10 IN
struct him how to vote and without sur
rendering his convictions. which he says
are fixed, he Will vote as they instruct.
General catchings is very popular With
the people of his district. The majority
OF them do not agree with him in his gold
views, but now tnat he has consented II
vote on this question in accordance with
their instructions he hopes to be renomi-
mated.
Congressman Catchiugs received a tele-
gram from his cousin. Mr. u. II. Catch
incs OF Atlanta, asking him about the
report that hc had stated he would vote
for free coinage. To this telegram he re
piled:
Report false. / said if renominated ana
instructed 1 would obey instructions as 10
vote but not surrender my convictions"
All of which means that Mr.. Catchiugs
IL he votes at all in the next congress-
will vote i'm favor Of the free coinage or
silver at rs TO I, rs his district viii un-
douhtcdlv SO declare at its convention ON
May lStn and from his own statement il
will hc seen that the report was not eX-
actly false
Free Coinage Sweeping Everything.
The Mississipli state convention meets
next WedHt sday. Scnator-elcct Money,
who viii probably be chairman of tEe
n.
coinage delegation to Chicago The free
N'aiuagc tide is indeed sweeping everything.
"a even sweep the state of Mlchlgan
~ eek
an, ~ D.l kins5n. vho has been making
- sht for the president gold policy up
'tt.3t, admits that he is a whipped man.
E;x- Congressman Whiting, who Is here
today. says the state convention, which
meets on Tuesday neyt. Will send an In
structci silver delegation TO Chicago. The
fight in Michigan has been hot one, but
the gold men already admit their defeat
Dickinson has all kinds Of explanations for
losing the fight.
Tho gold men are now making their
strongest tieut 10 save Illinois. Tho silver
men have "a large majority Of the dole
gates already elected throughout the state,
but Cook county. which has nearly oae-
third OF tho dele gates To the Convention,
has not yet acted. Tho eoli men are spend
ing lots oI money i'm the hope Of carrying
Cook. but Notwithstanding this the silver
mrp are confident they will win. The hest
alvices from the leaders out there are TO
the effect shat the state VIII be all right
for free coinage.
Bosses Not in 1t This Year.
The silver men Will have sin hundred or
more votes I'm the national convention and
they Will be able to nominate a free
coinage man without rcsoTtiug 10 a repeal
that whitney and Brice viii be able TO
change any votes i'm the convention. Whit
nev has announced himself for Russell,
- Massa III setts. but. with the democrats
like it has been with the republicans, the
favurite son game viii not work in the pol-
tics OF this year. The administration pco-
pie are not only trying 20 bring out favor
ite son candidates I'm the northern states
for president. but are chasing after the
dclusive hope OF breaking tine silver vote in
the south 10y proposing many southern mon
for vice president.
None Of these schemes viii be Of avail
Within the next two weeks il VIII oe
clearly demonstrated that the free coinage
democrats Will control the convention and
viii nominate for president a man who is
known to stand squareiy upon that plat
form.
Tillman Is Enthusiastic.
Senator riilmau is euthused with the
silver prospects this year. Il am more
confident thau ever" he said. that the
democrats will be in charge at Chicago.
Everywhere have been 1 found free
coinage the battle cry. At the meetings
which l addressed 7 took hand primaries
and they showed that the masses Of the
people want silver.
"On my way from St Louis to Owens
boro." said Senator Tillman, 81 talked to
an audience at Centralia, H., having re-
ceived telegrams from all along the line
asking me to stop over. | found the farm
ers of both parties solid and enthusiastic
for silver"
do you think there viii be contcsting
delegates from any of the southern states2'
"Oh, there viii bp effort to bamboozle
the free coinage delegates They win try
to send contestins delegates from many !
states. SO as TO get the national committee |
TO seat the bogus delegations.
Senator Tlman has received several in |
Georgia and says he hopes to deliver few |
there very soon. lie is now preparing for !
another speech in the senate. in which he i
will use his pitchfork on the Pacific rail
roads.
Savannah's Public Building.
Senator Gordon had an amendment to the
sundry civil idlI adopted by the senate
today increasing the appropriation for the
Savannah public building to $000oe. This
will enable Georgia marble 70 be used in
the structure.
Pattison the Latest.
Ex-Governor Pattison is the latest admin
stration favorite son candidate for the dem
ocratic nomination. lie has asked for the