Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-18
FEELING AGAINST SEWALL
Is Voiced in Statement OF George F. Washburn
Chairman OF Western Populists.

Chicago, Sept 17--George f. Wash
burn, chairman of the Western branch
of the Populist national committee, was
intcrN icWed by a reporter on the Maine
election and made the following state
ment:
The results are just what we eX-
pccted. Maine is my native state, and
| know the sentiment there. The vote
has no more significance than Arkan-
sass reply to Vermont, except to EN-
plastic how much Of burden the
Democracy has in its Vice Presidential
candidate"
do you think Mr. Sewall should
withdraw?''
Il certainly do, and the State of Maine
also says so | agree with Tom Reed
that 'Sewall's star sinks and Watson's
rises. The voice of Maine does not in
dictate any Acknowledgement Of the cam
painG. 1t is no test of Bryan'S popular
ity or even of the silver issue. No spec
ial effort was made in Maine except by
the Republicans Senator Jones ana
Senator Butler have shown remarkable
ability in the management of the ma
tional campaign, considering the limited
means at the command Of both.
There IS an undercurrcnt of feeling
which prevadeS the nation in support
of the claims Of MIR. Watson ana his
friends that he should be recognized.
There is force in the statement that
Mr.. SeWal is no more our candidate"
than is Mr.. Hobart There is also
significance in the attitude Of the Mid
Ole of the Road men. who say that no
Watson means no Bryan | know
that these men, as Well as the Republi-
cans, have accumulated a mass of cVi-
dence against Mr. SewaI. Which my
fore" the Democratic party 70 a defence
of Mr.. ScWall's record during the clos
ing days of the campaign. but So long
as the issue can be Kept on silver Mr..
Bryan as the standard bearer Of the
allied forces. can keep the enemy on
the run.
The Republicans realize this. There
fore, failing to win on principle. be
lieVr their trump card will be to show
in doubtful states the inconsistency of
Mr.. ScWan's record. and how much Of
Il misfit he is on the Democratic ticket.
1t is possible for him to become the
hero of the campaign by rising above
personal ambition ana declaring that
other hand. he insists on continuing.
and the attack on him should result in
Bryans defeat. he would he held re-
sponsible by an indignant people ana
would be scorned and hated as the most
unpopular man in America.
NJ SeWall cannot be forced off the
ticket. 1t would be better for him to
remain on than to retire in any way
that would do his party injury. The
Maine election is over: he has demon
strated his weakness His party vote
in his own ward was only about one
half what it was four years ago He
has rontcndcd four times FOR election
as alderman and has been defeated
twice, the last time by a shipioiner.
WIN po!led 1T votes to his IS. uu-
dcrstand, further. that Nh. Scwall at
tended the June convention of his party
in his State which nominated Mir Wins
low. a gold Democrat on a gold plat
form, and although Mr.. ScWall was
there he offered no objection to plat
form or ticket. ana seemingly acdui-
cSccd in the nomination OF the candi-
dates and the adoption Of the platform,
which was by reclamation.
We have hard work to restrain our
people up to the present time, and the
gravity of the situation has not daWncd
on the Democratic leaders. The crisis
is al hand, and | trust a way will be
found to unite all the reform forces up
on two candidates representing both
sides. to resist the combined forces of
the Cleveland Republicans and the Me
Einley Democrats. The only way 10
mite is for the Democrats To take oilr
man