The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-19
HUNTING A MOSES
EX-SENATOR MARTIN TURNS Up IL
THE NICK OF TINE

render to the CIeveland-Carlisle Wing
of Democracy, But to Stand Up for
Their Rights and Demand a Platform
for the Free and Unlimited Coinage of
silver-He Intimates That He Would
Support High Tariff Man on q Silver
Platform.
Ex-United States Senator John Mar
tin was in the city yesterday and last
night he was surrounded by a number
of local Democrats VINO were apparent
ly anxious TO find some way in which
they can make at least a showing of a
political organization this fall. The To-
cal politicians feel that Cleveland and
Carlisle have driven from them all
pretense of platform by their finan-
cial theory and they are anxious for
some one TO asoear as a Moses who
will lead them out Of the wilderness of
incompetency in which their party is
placed today.
When they learned that John Martin
was in the city there was great local re-
joicing, for here was a man who had
politically been able TO ride the Demo-
cratic mule and its Populist father for
two years while both animals We're
going in opposite directions. Yes, John
Martin was the political acrobat of the
nineteenth century and last evening at
the Carey he was surrounded by Post
master Fitch, Assistant Postmaster
Lacke, Receiver Ewing and other Dem
ocratic lights, receiving instructions
from the somersault statesman of To-
peka.
Every word spoken was listened TO
with eagerness as the ex-senator laid
before them the plan which should be
adopted by them as they appeared be-
fore the disguised members of the or
ganization
A reporter for the Eagle stood by and
listened to the Democratic Moses as he
unfurled TO the unterrified faithful last
night at the Carey, his plan of opera
ton which ran something like the fol-
lowing:
1.-The only way the Kansas Democ-
racy can make even respectable
showing" said the ex-senator 'is for
US to stand upon the same platform We
have on stood ever since we were Dem
ocrats. / know this plan may appear
10 be crude by men who are holding Of
flee by appointment of Cleveland, but
II is the only course 10 be pursued I
tell you, brethren, We can't afford TO
get IN the boat with Cleveland and Car
Isle. We must stand out for the free
and unlimited coinage of silver at a
ratio of 10 to l. If We are beaten at
Chicago we must be beaten fighting for
something. Cleveland will not dare TO
N = "a al arra ct q lot Ia+a
must make your plans to send me as a
delegate at large to Chicago, and I will
let you know when the time comes 10
worship this gold calf image created
by the bosses"
Just then the ex-senator noticed a
reporter for the Eagle standing by and
granted him the following interview
and IN answer TO the question whether
or not silver would be an issue in the
coming campaign he said:
We'll, it looks that way now, but of
course if the Democrats and RepubH-
cans nominate a goldbug candidate a
good many Democrats and Republi-
cans who believe in the free coinage of
silver will vote their party ticket.
1T is strange that people will support
a measure which they think will work
an injury to the country just because
q
of them will do that very thing.
would like to see the people of this
country divide on questions of principle !
instead Of on party names.
1T is my candid conviction that a
very large majority of the people Of this |
country are in favor of bimetaUism.
but whether they viii vote for it is
another question. As for myself, / am
a Democrat. but do not hesitate to say
that | would vote for a moderate high !
tariff man like Teller on a free coinage
platform rather than for a tariff re-
former like Whitney on a goldbug plat |
form. l do not intend if I can help to /
vote for party against the best inter |
ests of my country. Country ought to !
stand first.
The transportation question will not /
down in this state but l hope it will be |
adjusted in the interests of 4
all parties concerned. ] told the Pop !
ulists when they elected me senator |
that I did not believe in government |
ownership of railroads, but / am in /
favor of the government controlling the |
roads in the interest of the people as /
well as of the stockholders If the gov I
ernment fails in this then I am in favor /
of government building railroads and /
owning them. If the people are COM |
PEELED to do that there will not be any
doubt then of the government being /
2 BILE to control them in the interest of !
the people.
Il believe that the Populsts and !
Democrats will get together again this
fall and / think that they will be sue
ceSsful. The silver convention at St /
Louis will work an important era, I
believe. in the political situation, and II
the Democratic and Republican ma
tiOnal conventions declare for a gold /
standard, or adopt a straddling plat
form there will be fun in the air and
the solid west viii come nearer being a
reality than a solid south. l expect 10
see plenty of fun during the coming
and I viii be ready TO take
a hand in the fight"
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
& Y EVERYDAY MAN