Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-01
WHITNEY AND WATSON.

The recent letter Of Mr.. Whitney, In
which he reproached the Republicans
quite bitterly for not doing more TO coax
Roldte Democrats into their camp mas
been much criticised by the northern
press.
They read Il to mean that Whitney
wishes them TO drop the tarin issue aito-
gether and devote all Of their attention
10 the currency question. But this they
are unwilling 70 do. They say they are
ready 10 put the two issues side by sioe'
"a Of equal consequence, but cannot and
viii not drop the tariff issue. They argue
ffor popular effecO that without addi-
tional revenue it would be impossible for
our government to maintain sound cur
rency.
Another reason that they have, But
which these journalistic WORTHLESS 90 not
care 10 mention. is that in many localities
Il is much safer for Republicans TO preach
protoction than it is to preach against sill
yer.
The fact is that It is as much as the
Republicans can do to hold down" the free
s,lyerites In their ranks. II they were 10
drop the tariff. and turn all OF their
guns upon free silver. this large class OF
voters. living in highly-protected districts
would desert their ranks in a body ana
ia q 3iffy." Hence IT is that the Repuoh7
can party cannot oblige Mr.. Whitney 10y
oeaslng 10 make much ado about the
tariff
But the truth IS the tariff is really not
..in IL" From every quarter OF the coun-
try reports como that the free-silver senu-
ment is growing. It's development IN the
State OF New York has been wonderfully
strong. while tout West popular opinion
Is Overwhelmingly in favor of 1t. And
yet the Democrats are not out OF the
woods. They are having trouble TO
consolidate the Democratic vote and the
Populist vote upon one set Of electors.
Vet this must be done TO enable Bryan
10 profit fully by his great popular
strength. And right there, we opine, Is
where Hanna Will be found spending his
money. Quite certainly he will do all that
ne can to cause the Populist leaders TO
mako impossible demands upon the Demo-
Gratis. We suspect that his plan VIII be
a hsys tbs Populists demand twice as
many electors as can be accorded them,
and then get up row il their request is
refused.
put We trust Hanna will ind many
Ponslists who win countenance none OF
hts sohemes. The honest and sincere friend
OF free silver Will not permit himself 10
he made a Republican tool of In this way.
So far from II, he win either make no de-
ynands at all or demands so reasonable
as TO recommend themselves at once 10
all true friends of Bryan. In some States
the Democrats would lose as many votes
as they could hope to gain by fusing with
.ha ponulists on an electoral ticket.
In States where fusion tickets are ar
ranged. and which viii be carried for
BRYAN In November, all Of the electors VIII
vote for Bryan, but for Vice-President
some will vote for Sewall and some for
watson. To this arrangement, we sup
nose Mr.. sewall will make no great OBJ
lection. since 1t would be better for him
"a get half the vote Of a State than
none Of IL.
In tho event that no one has majority
Of the number of votes cast by the elect
ors the senate will elect the Niee-Presi-
dent. and, observe. from the two canui-
dates receiving the highest number OF
electoral votes. Thus. 1t seems TO us, Tom
Watson will be cut out completely. There
fore. we would recommend him to with
draw from his candidacy. ana get UP ana
move to make the support of sewall unani-
NOUS by Democrats and Populists.