Evening star., 1896-10-20
A FIERCE CAMPAIGN,
Around Richmond the Contest Over
Silver Wakes Hot.

Silver Wakes Hot.
Special Correspondence OF The Evening Star
RICHMOND, Va, October 10. 1896.
The strong feeling in the political canvass
here Ia now running higher than ever, and
many supporters of the two presidential
candidates are resorting to personalities
SO pointed that disagreeable changes are
being repeatedly made A free silver paper
recently made the open charge that fol-
lowers of the republican and sound money
democratic movements here maliciously set
fire to building at the exposition grounds
last Thursday night in order to break up
the free silver democratic meeting which
was being addressed by Senator Thomas F.
Grady of New York. This has been openly
denied. and the paper making the charge
has been branded a, malicious nbeler' by
the editor of another morning paper here.
Charges have also been made to the effect
that well-knoWn minister Of the Gospel in
this city had been offered q sum of money
to write over his owh signature an article
against the free sllverites. 1t was stated
that the sound money democrats had made
this effort at bribery. They Indignantly
deny the charge. These and similar
charges give an idea how high political
feeling Is running daily in this district, and
the feeling Is rapidly increasing as the
election draws near.
Each of the parties is trying hard to
strengthen its side by the acquisition of
prominent men An the city. A large num-
her of the most Influential citizens of Rich
mond have turned their backs on the Chi
cago platform, and have declared their pur-
pose to vote for sound money either by
supporting Mckinley or Palmer and Buck
ner. Not since the war has the republican
party in Virginia gotten the support of so
many prominent citizens. The bankers,
real estate people and Insurance men are
sound
portion Of the manufacturers and mer-
chants and the majority of the railroad
and transportation men are likewise op-
posed to the Chicago platform.
1t is understood here that Judge James
Keith, president of the supreme court of
appeals Of Virginia, has decided to support
tie cause.of sound money. 1t is stated that
he will cast his vote for Mckinley Judge
Keith was elected to his position as a
member Of the supreme court by the demo-
cratic legislature of 1Ss3-94. 1t is under
$1,000 that he will say nothing for publica-
ton on this subject on account of his posi-
ton of Judge; but 1t is understood that his
personal views on the currency question
are opposed to those adopted by the Chi
cago convention.
Quite a sensation will be developed here
In political circles this week, which will
probably cast shadow over the nomina-
ton of Capt. Lamb for Congress from the
third district. 1t is alleged that in the pri-
mary meetings held for the purpose of
sending delegates to the third congressional
convention to nominate free silver demo-
cratic candidate a misc count was made in
one or two prec. nets, which has of late been
Strengthened out by recount, and the
whole situation is consequently changed.
The recount would, it is claimed, bring
about such situation as to defeat the
election Of Ben P. Owen as chairman Of
the convention, and on this hinges the en-
tire result. Owen had the power of ap-
pointing certain members on the commit
tee on credentials. who threw out the three
or four cCntesting delegates from King
William county. With H. M. Smith, jr., as
chairman, this result would have been diff
ferent Smith was supporter Of Tazewell
Elicit for denomination, and Mr.. Ellett's
nc mination depended entirely upon the con-
testing King William delegation, which
was unseated by the committee on creden-
tials. By the new count these precincts in
question are entitled to an Elicit supporter
instead of a Lamb supporter, and this, 1t Is
chairman of the convention. He would
have appointed a different committee on
credentials. who would have allowed the
KING William contesting delegation to be
seated. This would have nominated Col
Elicit on the first ballot by vote of 96 to
91. So the nomination Of Capt. Lamb is
understood to be based upon a miscount in
one or two of the precincts. 1t is under
stood that some legal action may be taken
In the matter. The whole affair will prob
ably be exposed here this week.
At the University of Virginia a meeting
OF the sound money students was held last
week In Jefferson Literary Hall, and q
sound money league Of nearly 300 members
organized. The league will poll q strong
vote for Palmer and Buckner on November