The herald., 1896-10-20
OBSERVATIONS IN THE EAST
An Interesting Interview With the Hon,
Jefferson Chandler
Associated With Bryan During His
Campaign-The Chicago Records
Impartial % Canvass.

Hon. Jefferson Chandler has just re-
turned from an extensive trip through
the eastern and middle western states,
during which he has collected much val
liable information concerning the pres
ent campaign. In the course of his jour-
ney he was for several days thrown in
the company of w. ]. Bryan, who was
at that time travelling through Mary
land and West Virginia in the interests
of the coming election
When called upon at his Office yester-
day morning by Herald reporter, Mr..
Chandler cheerfully granted an inter-
view in which he took occasion to ex-
press himself very emphatically con-
cerning the campaign. He said that
during his journey he had been in Mr..
Bryan's company on several occasions
when the candidate addressed audiences,
notably at Washington and at Martins
burg. Grafton and Wheeling, West Vir-
ginia. In every instance Mr. Chandler
had been surprised at the size and earn
estness of the audiences which listened
to Bryan. They were not crowds of
curious and ignorant idlers attracted by
some unusual event. but earnest, think
Ilelr
own and the nations interests.
At Grafton, w. Va, Bryan was to ad-
dress three immense audiences at p.
M, but his train did not arrive until II
p. m. Nevertheless he found the assem-
blages still waiting fer him in spite of
the fact that driving rain storm had
been in progress all the evening. He ad-
dressed two of the audiences, concluding
at a. M, and sent word to the third that
t,af ,1., - l.
that night. Word shortly came back that
they would not adjourn until he arrived.
Seeing that there was no possible means
of escape, the candidate again began
speaking shortly after "a m.
At Wheeling an enthusiastic audience
of $4,000 people was addressed by Bryan.
although Bourke Cochran, who had been
thoroughly advertised, had been able to
command the attention of only 1000 peo-
pie there the same day. and then when
ever Mr.. Bryan's name had been men
toned round of cheers had risen.
Mr.. Chandler said in regard to the i'm
putations of anarchy which were so ri
diculously made concerning Bryan at
the time of his nomination, and which
have been disseminated by his enemies
since, that such were dying out and tina.
all thinking people, no matter of which
party realize that the question of the
etary principles. OF course there are
some who are either foolish or malicious
enough to make those charges, but their
influence Is lost,
Mr.. Chandler does not entertain rea-
sonable doubt of Bryan's election. He
thinks that all the middle and western
states will go solid for silver.
During the interview Mr.. Chandler
said that he wished to call attention to
the action OF the Chicago Record (gold
organ) in claiming to have made an i'm
partial canvass of the middle western
states which shows that 80 per cent of
the voters in that section of the country
are for gold. The actual facts in the
case are that the Record did send out
100000 postals with request that the
receiver write his choice of presidents
thereon and return the card. The silver
men, however, were instructed from
Democratic headquarters not to sign
these cards; consequently the returns
showed a large majority for gold. The
figures have been largely circulated
since. with the result that great deal
of misunderstanding has been created.
Regarding the personality of Bryan,
Mr.. Chandler said that he considered
him one of the foremost men in our ma
tons history and that he is much
greater man than the public give him
credit for being. He is no more liable to
neglect the enforcement of law than
Thomas Jefferson. In fact, he is the
same type of man as Thomas Jefferson.
A more interesting character has never
appeared in politics. He is man alb
solutely without reproach, and during
! the entire campaign he has never made
an impruient remark. The government
would be entirely safe in his hands and
no business interest would suffer
Mr.. Chandler found all lines of bust
ness greatly depressed throughout the
| east. but thinks that the day after Bry-
| ans election, which he holds to be GER
| tainty, every business interest will re-
viye.