Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-06
PRECIOUS POLITICAL SAINTS.
What Was Proper in Them Is Dis
honorable in Others.


The boilers denounce as particularly
Objectionable the union of forces be-
tween the Democrats and Populists on
electoral tickets. and grow red In the
face denouncing what they term "a deal,
inconsistent with principle" This little
coterie of boiling Pharisees. with hy-
pocrisy that is as offensive as ii is per-
vasive. spread abroad their phylacetries,
and thank God in nasal tones that they
are not ike other men-even the Bryan
supporters. They call themselves 1.-The
true Democrats" and characterize their
betrayal of their party as IAN effort TO
preserve the time honored principles OF
the Democratic party" They say their
prayers, i fear me, with their faces
turned toward BuzZard's Bay and take
no counsel that is not approved by Presi-
dent Cleveland, Mr.. Whitney, or Don
Dickinson. Is IL wrong for the Demo-
Gratis and Populists. who have nominated
the same man for President, TO act in
concert 10 secure his election? The
boilers say so. Let us see what they
thought of voting for Popullsts in 1892:
II will be remembered that In that year
Mr. Whitney and Mr.. Dickinson. acting
with the full knowledge and approval
Of Mr.. Cleveland, made a trip TO the
West. and forced the Democrats in Kan
sas, Colorado, Idaho, North Dakota, Ne
vada and Wyoming to withdraw the
Democratic electoral ticket, and to vote
for the Weaver electors, thus requiring
every Democrat in those States 10 vote
for Populist President and Vice-Presi-
dent AS result OF this action. Weaver
carried Colorado. Idaho, Kansas. and
Nevada. Thus MIR. Cleveland and his
right-hand men gave the Populist nomi-
nee for President all the electoral votes
he received, except ono from North Da-
kota, and one from Oregon. And IL Is
the very men who engineered this voting
for Populists and elected them who now
denounce Democrats for following their
example. If it is wrong. II does not lie
in the mouth of President Cleveland,
Messrs. Whitney. Dickinson, or other
followers to criticise a precedent that
they themselves established. Then 1t
was good politics" 10 vote for Populist
electors In order TO compass the defeat
| of Harrison. Now 1t is "dishonorable'
| TO make arrangements whereby that vote
| can be secured for the nominee OF the
| National Democratic Convention 1t de-
ponds. | suppose, upon whose OK IS gored
| 10 satisfy fair-minded men. The men
| who are doing this thing will be sorry
| some day--they cannot carry precinct
I'm the United States for the third man.
| Now. the character Of the men who are
leading the Democratic bolt does not in
spire the confidence Of the best elements
Of the boilers General Palmer. who is
way and beyond all others the best man
| I'm the outfit, is a constitutional bolter,
and is never happy except when jump
ing from one party TO the other, owing
his election in 1891 to the United States
Senate to two Populist votes. General
Bragg was too much OF a silver man
as late as 1894: and, besides. 'is not fitted
| by temperament" whatever OF infirmity
that expression may cover; Billy Brock
| inridge--well he "says his conscience
| compels him TO deny the Chicago plat
| form and nominees" Herr Most is talk
ing Sound money" in New York. and
| Is leading the more-holy than-thou
crowd swimmingly. These and Bynum.
| Of Indiana. are the men who declare
that their political convictions and con-
sciences force them 10 bolt the party.
| What about Bynum? He is not in good
| renute He sells too cheap. In the
| famous contest for the speakership of
the Fifty-second Congress. Bynum was
| one of Mr. Mills's confidential managers ;
vet. soon after the twentieth ballot By
| nun opened communication with Mr..
Crisp's managers and promised TO vote
for Crisp thereafter IL he would be taken
| care OF when the committees were made.
He desired to retain his place on the
WAYS and Means Committee. To the
eternal honor of Mr.. Catchings and Judge
Montgomery Crisp's managers, they de-
clined to have anything 10 do with him.
In the Fifty-third Congress Bynum was
on the Ways and Means Committee. UNI
der the chairmanship OF William L. Will
son The tariff bill had passed the
House. and was under consideration In
the Senate: Bynum went 10 the Senate
end and had the duty on every interest
In his district increased 10 per cent In
the protracted fight between the House
and Senate. when the bill was In con-
ference. Rynum turned his back on his
colleagues of the House Ways and Means
Committee and supported the Senate.
william l.. Wilson Is one OF the most
forgiving Of men, yet, when charles II.
Mansur died. and Bynum tried to get
appointed TO the vacant assistant coInp-
trollerShlp. and asked William l.. VII
son TO help him, making an awiui ca
lamity howl and pitiable plea or power
~. Wilson told him bluntly that ne
would not help him." and subsequently
told a friend that he could noa forgive
Bynum, nor ever trust him again." His
present treachery Is In keeping with this
incident OF his legislative career. These
are some OF the precious saints. whose
consciences win not permit them 70 en-
| dorse the clean. pure. and upright VII
liam Jennings Bryan.
JOSEPH II. SHEPHERD.
|