Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-23
PREDICTIONS BOTH WAYS
West Virginia for Free Silvsr and Iowa to
Go Republican.
Activity Displayed MT Both Demo-
cratic and Republican Congress
sional Committee Headquarters.

has received an application for free s.l-
yer literature from number Of employees
of well-known Philadelphia newspaper,
who state that they desire to form Bryan
and Sewall Club. This newspaper is one
of the most pronounced advocates of the
gold standard ard the Mckinley cause of
all papers published in this country.
At committee headquarters 1t is stated
that the applications for free silver litera-
fure from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and
New England continue to arrive In great
numbers. This is taken as an indicatio IN
that the free silver sentiment is spreading
through the east with marvellous rapidity
among the working classes. The interest in
free coinage. however, is not confined to
the laboring people, but Is being manifested
in a marked degree by citizens in profess
sional life. One OF the letters received this
morning was from a physician in high
standing in Brattleboro', VT. who stated
that there was general inquiry among all
classes in his community for information
upon the silver question.
The Jackson Democratic Club of Phila-
delphia. In the heart Of a supposedly gold
standard section, has written to the COM
mittee for free silver literature, for Bryan's
speeches, and stating that the ticket would
be supported by the club. 1t has been
stated that poll was taken Of a manufac-
turing establishment in PHILADELPHIA en-
ploying 1000 men, resulting in the declara-
ton OF the employees unanimously for free
silver.
West Virginia Predictions,
Ex-senator S. w. Walker Of West Vir-
gnia was one Of the callers at democratic
headquarters today. He Is a prominent
lawyer, and has just returned from attend
Ing, the sessions of the court on the West
Virginia circuit. having visited in this con-
nection many sections Of the state Mr.,
Walker predicts that West Virginia will 20
democratic by $1,000 majority on the free
silver issue.
Mr.. Walker sad he has never seen such
a remarkable change in the sentiment of
people on political matters as Is now being
exhibited by the people of his state. In
every community members Of all classes
are attaching themselves to the free silver
cause. He said they realized that the issue
has bee,l drawn squarely between the sin
gle gold standard anC silver, and that they
are Hooking to the support of the white
metal in vast numbers. One feature of the
situation which attracted his attention was
the fact that this disposition of the people
was not confined to any particular section,
but was noticeable throughout the state.
Mr. Walker said that where the demo-
Gratis are losing one gold standard man
from their own party they are gaining ten
free silver converts from the republican
rar ks who cannot abide by the platform
of the st. Louis convention
At Republican Headquarters.
At republican congressional committee
headquarters today the usual hustle and
activity existed. Everybody from the
chairman down is working under full pres
sure, the incoming mails are heavy with
communications, and the outgoing mails
are crowded with the volumes of campaign
literature being distributed. Chairman
Babcock, Vice Chairman Apsley and Secre-
tary Mercer were at their desks this morn
ing, and later in the day held a conference
Of lengthy duration upon the general work
of the committee.
Chairman Babcock has just returned from
New York, where he has been upon brief
business visit. He reports that prepara-
tions are on foot for conducting q vigorous
campaign in New York city, and the rea-
sonable hope is entertained that New York
will be carried by the republicans by a
gratifying majority. He SAID he had heard
very little talk among the politicians of the
probabilities of the democrats getting out
sound money ticket in opposition to the
Chicago ticket, but if they do it will be to
the advantage of the republicans.
Vice Chairman Apsley has just returned
from short visit to Massachusetts. He
says the prospects are that the republicans
will carry the state by a notably large ma
1ority. and that the democrats are in a
very bad way in the old bay state He is
very much inclined to discredit the claims
Of the democrats that free silver is making
any 1nroads among the laboring classes in
New England. He thinks the factory en-
ployes have had democracy enough to sa-
tiate themselves for a period
Representative Hepburn of Iowa was q
caller at republican headquarters today He
has just come east from the corn country
after having attended the latest republican
political gathering in his state.
Iowa VIII Go Republican,
what is the status of the silver sena-
ment among Iowa republcans?' Mr.. Hep
burn was asked by a Star reporter this
afternoon.
1T is not sufficient to imperfl the election
OF Mr.. Mckinley" replied Mr.. Hepburn.
Iowa will go republican. I We will save
every Congressman. Even the second dis
trict which in times past has returned
o,OOO democratic majority for Congress will
go 200 republican majority this fall.
You see, the silver question has been
discussed in Iowa fer years. therefore the
actor of the Chicago convention was dis
counted in our state as 1t has been in Kan
sas and Nebraska. There Is not enough
feeling among our people for the free and
unlimited coinage of silver to defeat the
election OF the republican ticket with Nc
kinley at its head. There are democratic
sound money bolters. too throughout the
state who will vote for Mckinley this fall.
That 1s particularly SO in the second dis
trict. No one need fear about Iowa: she
Will be FOUND In the republican column
resting on a handsome majority"
SECRETARY SMITHS DECISION.
He VIII Support the Chicago Ticket