New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-02

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Recently requests were made OF us by the
leading English and Cana Ian bankers to get the
most reliable information possible on the political
situation for the of their directors, so that |
they might have all the light at hand on this sub
ject Herewith find a comprehensive view OF the
whole subject obtained through William Bunker,
with John Sinclair & Co.. of this city. from W ID. |
Assemblg- District who has travelled over twenty
Stai and well understands the subject upon
which he has written. j. +. COLE co.
After trip twice the continent. covering |
about 1000 miles OF travel. embracing nearly all the
silver territory. it is interesting to make some COM
parsons the opinions and arguments advanced I
in the different quarters bearing upon the result OF
the election In November.
This trip all taken after the nomination Of |
Bryan and extended from the middle of July TO a |
date early in September. Leaving NewYork on July !
49, four days after the nomination Of Mr.. Bryan at
Chicago proceeded straight TO Denver. three days
railroad ride. I left New-York with business de-
pressed and panic impending because Of the fear
% Bryans election. got out OF the cars in Denver
and found the sentiment there one Of extreme de-
preston because OF the almost certain defeat OF their
chosen advocate Of silver. In general conversation
with number Of residents of Colorado. including
Of the actual leaders OF the silver wing of the
Republican party. it very apparent that even
that date they had hope OF overcoming the
sound money sentiment OF the East that the ordinary
line OF talk ran In about this way: Silver Is neces-
sary to the local prosperity Of Colorado and the
States Of the Mississippi: We are all for 1t for
purely selfish local reasons. but We hear that an
enormous amount OF money. running up to twenty
thirty millions varously stated Is being raised by
the corporations and the money power OF the East
defeat candidate and while We all want Bryan
have little hope OF his election" This is the senti
expressed In general conversation around the
hotels and in the smaller shops in Denver. while
among the widely informed classes, the law
yers and the actual political leaders. expressions OF
dissatisfaction frequent owing to the handicap
which they felt the silver interests had received by
the Populis,ic support and the generally disturbing
ideas enunciated in the Chicago platform The real
silver power had exerted itself at Chicago and spent
its money freely for the nomination Of either Teller
or Bland. sound conservative men from their point
OF view. who nigh. have been trusted TO conduct A
silver campaign upon its merits without dragging in
Popustic theories and Anarchistc ideas. OF course
there is no doubt that Colorado Nevada. Idaho, Mon
tana Wyoming and possibly Utah will be found
Overwhelmingly for silver In November. but 1t must
be remembered that these States only represent nine
teen in tho Electoral College. and that ten OF
those votes In 1892 were for General Weaver.
the Populstic candidate that the drift OF senti
ment these States Is OF little importance In Judging
tho main result only far az 1t shows an utter lack
| OF enthusiasm real hope of victory.
In the three Pacific Coast Sates-California oregon
| and Washington-I found A very different tone. the
/ sound money men being apparently IN the majority
Conversation with a number of commercial travellers
who have been all through those States led me 10 the
fixed belief that the business interests OF those States
are almost uniformly opposed 10 the idea OF free
silver and believe that the farmer IS also beginning
| 70 SEQ that instead OF receiving two for one under
the proposed free-silver plan he would he more apt
! 10 get one-half FOR one Only the man who produces
tho actual silver bullion could hope double his
"a initial by A free access the minis Of the United
States The farmer not controlling or producing any
actual silver but being only receiver OF the silver
after II is coined is beginning 10 that the dollar
which he IL 10 receive for his wheat Is to he the
50-cent dollar. and past experience makes him
sceptical Of the promise that wheat Will go 70
q as soon as the silver Is passed.
so that n wheat does not appreciate the
5O-cen. dollar which he receives VIII make MS
wheat very much less in value 10 him than II Is
even az low price under the present standard
These three Pacific Coast States. California partcu-
larry may be counted fair debatable ground with
the chances decidedly In favor Of two out OF the three
being found in the Mckinley column
Coming back toward the East again. through the
| Northern range OF States. North Dakota and Mime
sofa seem 10 feel about the Pacific States DO ana
| may be counted in the same class
| Taking the great block OF sound money States.
seventeen in number-Iowa. Wisconsin. Illinois, In
! diana Michigan. Ohio. Pennsylvania, New-fork'
| Vermont Hampshire. Maine. Massachusetts
| Connecticut Rhode Island, New-Jersey. Delaware
apfM AIRY.
college or five more than the necessary majority 1t
l. diffcult TO ind single State in this phaanX where
any re%, ojn,tlon Of the Sound Money Democratic
ticket AT indianapolis seems 20 set at resi- any Tear
tna1 ma AND Iowa Prior to that nomination those
Stapss might have been considered doubtful but with
tne SI here can be no doubt that the Palmer vote
viii be sufficient TO insure Mckinney essy d riStoy
Wsst sond money country fairly doubtful States
tS't f5a Pamer ticket Increases the chance or Me-
a
State: are necessary to Msknleys success nnt
are more b man Ee lKe'y college oHs '
JoTtjy bnnt t rong into too much detail OF prophecy
,be best AUTHORITIES with whom have conversed OF
hnIb the Republican and Democratic parties-poitica
eXperts whose opinions are wortny Q, .aton
agr soare in the Electoral College It is an open
cre the o, s and Sep5
bv the lack Of funds. The more NJ Bryan talks the
he sy aks di post ali the counry
inmaS at him story or joke against Bryan Is re,
csved VIII and by ali miscellaneous audiences
he gathered outside of the few ardent silver
One feature Of this campaign which has never be-;
s the aSs gaorm by the
mercal travellers who are thckly scattered all over
the e sn ga ana nnmber and out Of the hundreds whom
have personally talked with and neard tax on me
railroad tei for silver He was traveller for cigar
house and said that as long he sold cigars ne Tdn
care sra doing more campaign missionary work in
~ ,,,cres OF sound money than the regularly or
ganlzed corps OF speakers are doing It IS enectve
aoIntrv. they are keen bright Intelligent men
wbo are capable of maxim the best OF argument zen,
49, .ba,r Various business 'standpoints ana their
,,,c,i nanlmty In favor Of the gold ticket cannot
"a, n have an effect upon the general re-
An ey-member Of the Democratic IN Nat,oI maj s SUm
M. c,hunst has contidestaily expressed his per-
sona opinion that the MeRn ns. t S the
1oUo lie saws that the Bryan campaign IL being
ona,Icted without organization and without sys,em
u'i 10 sound Money Democrats are pursuing
snrons and systematic campaign In sucn parts OF
The south as they deem most favorable % work ~,
~ mia section nearly vote won for fai,ne, y
vote taken from Bryan and the 1u dr IN Dsmo
S,.,ss i,rstdas the hope that seVerai ointHle
cratic strongholds will this year cast ,her W,i,,i a.
ranroseQfed