Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-17
Mr.. SEWALL AND MAINE
It is Considered That He Has Given Up tt Q
State Fight.
What the Populists VIII Say If the
Pine Tree State Goes Repub-
lican In September.

Mr.. Sewall. it is considered. has given
up the state fight in Maine. The change
in Mr.. Bryan's plans is construed as mean
Ing that Mr.. Bryan accepted Mr.. Sewalls
invitation to visit him when they met in
Chicago. Since then Mr.. Sewall has re-
turned home, has had serious difficulty in
inducing portion Of the local democracy
to reverse itself on the silver question,
ana now sort of campaign is in progress
there. The outlook is exceedingly I'M
promising for the democracy, and it has
been decided as inadvisable for Mr.. Bryan
to make his appearance in the state at
this time. The purport Of this decision
seems to be that as even Mr.. Bryan could
put no additional life into the local democ-
racy, demonstrated failure on his part
to do so would injure him elsewhere
Effect of the September Election.
So the question comes up, If Maine goes
republican In September by a rous.ng ma
jcrity, how will that effect Mr.. Sewall' 5
candidacy for Vice President in those quar-
tiers which opposed his nomination and are
not yet really reconciled to it? The opposi-
ticn to Mr.. Sewall is not confined to popu-
list1c circles. The populiSts are outspoken
on the subject, but there are democrats who
stlll regret Mr.. Sewalls nomination. They
given for taking him. Their own opinion,
expressed at Chicago, was that he would
add nothing to the ticket. He was I'M
known to the country. His state was re-
publican. What could be gained, there
fore, by putting up such a man from such
section to represent movement which
was looking. and must look. elsewhere for
success? Now. If the September result IN
Maine justifies this objection; if Mr.. Sew
airs own state is the first to speak against
silver in the campaign. what will the anti
Sewall men say and do?
Democratic Critics Powerless.
The democratic critics will be powerless.
Iney may complain never So bitterly under
their breath. but they will not be able to
get rid Of the candidate. The retirement of
Mr.. Sewall would mean the collapse of
their campaign. But the populists-the
middle f-the road men-may in such cir
cumstances be expected to increase the
energy of their fight against Mr.. Sewall,
ard take some action predicated on his
failure at home. There are many ways in
which they may make themselves felt, and
urged on by as restless and aggressive a
leader Mr. Watson, they will proba bly,
be heard from.
The PopuIiStic Argument.
The populistic argument will be simple
There are two candidates for Vice Presi-
dent. One is from the gold territory, and
dlleiiy 10 carry MS own state lie
stands for nothing represented by the
cause. He is a man of the corpora tions-a
banker, railroad director, a manufacture
er. The other is populist of the populists.
He has made sacrifices for the cause. He
abandoned lucrative law practice in or
der to get closer to the people. He has
been beaten for office because of his pop
ulism. He is not only for free silver, but
fer the whole popuistic propaganda, in
Guiding government ownership of Mr.. Sew
alls railroads. The territory of the one is
going against the Chicago platform. The
territory of the other is going for it. Which
man properly belongs in company with w.
j. Bryan? The populist answer. of course,
will be Watson.
Republican, to Improve the OppOr-
tunity.
The republicans are preparing to improve
the opportunity to the fullest extent posi-
lie. They are expecting and arranging to
bring out a heavy vote in September, and
hope thus to queer" Mr.. Sewall more
than ever with his southern and western
associates.