Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-29
4 Connection, Leader Of Gold Democrats.

A Connecticut Leader Of Gold Democrats.
The detection among the prominent
| Democrats of Connecticut has been
| most pronounced. One OF the most
| significant of the Withdrawals from the
| organization, which the sound money
| Democrats believe has been surrend-
| cred TO the keeping of the Populist
| party, is that of Hon. Clinton B. Davis.
who UP to the time of his withdrawal
was chairman of the Democratic state
committee. Mr.. Davis has been n of
/ the most effective party workers and
shrewdest organizers in that state.
But he is more than a partisan, he is
a clear headed, successful business
man. He is the secretary n treas
urer and general manager of the Cut
away Harrow Company, Higganum.
Conn. This company does an immense
western business and also has quite an
export trade. Mr.. Davis is in a posi-
ton to appreciate the conditions and
understand the sentiment, not only in
his own state, but throughout the
country and he has made a careful
study of the situation.
From the account, which the Eve
convention, it appears that Mr.. Davis
presided at the opening of the onven
ton and when it came to the election
of permanent chairman his skilful
hand was seen in the defeat of Alexan-
der Troup. Notwithstanding he was on
the programme of the silver delegates.
On resigning Mr.. Davis spoke briefly.
asserting that he is still Democrat and
will not vote for Mckinley but that
he cannot approve Bryan and Sewall
and the Chicago platform. 1t is under
stood that Mr.. Davis, although he didn't
say so at the time, believes it to be the
duty of all true Democrats to see that
the Popocratic ticket is buried so deep
that it will never be resurrected again.
What he did say in an interview 1t
that time, was:
In my Judgment, and I have taken
particular pains in studying the condi-
tons and the situation in Connecticut.
l think Mckinley will have from TO-
900 to $1,000 majority in Connecticut.
This is a conservative estimate of the
probable majority. l have received a
personal letter from Chairman Jones
of the silver national committee, who
situation "a in this state. l gave him
in reply the figures 1 have given you.
He also wanted to know in that letter
what the chances were for the Demo
Gratis electing congressman in Con-
necticut. In reply to that inquiry |
told him that in my judgment there
would be four Republican congressman
elected from Connecticut in November
next. OF course 1 regret tina the cir
cumstances are such that there is
rant for a prediction of this nature.
The party is entirely disrupted in this
state. and Chairman Jones is aware of
that fact. Another thing:
Il don't say these things from hear
say. I am satisfied from the CORE
spondence l have had with the leaders
in states in the West, that McKinley's
majority in those states that are now
claimed for Bryan and Sewall will be
proportionately as large as the MAORI
ty Mckinley received in Maine.
This very day I have received a let
ter from a gentleman who is thorough
ly informed on the condition of things
in Nebraska, Bryan's w state, and /
am informed in hat letter that Bryan
will be overwhelmingly defeated"