New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-22
THE MIDDLE VESTS STAND.
A CLOSE OBSERVER THINKS THE REAC-
TIO> FROM THE SILVER CRAZE
HAS BEGUN
EXAGGERATED NOTIONS OF THE fhEh~siL' r."
MISUNDERSTANDING CITIZENS

tny TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.1

FOR MKINl.EN.
Gsy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE1
Washington. Aug 21-A man of unusually close
habits Of observation and statement thus outlines
70 n Tribune cores pondent the situation IN the
Middle West from which he has recently returned:
81 made II nv business to talk with people Of all
n,rt,es and correct one mans statements by an
others | started out with the full knowledge thaI
I'm certain States there had been powerful trehd
toward free silver found in every state visited.
after careful inquiry. tina. the refiuent wave hau
GOT in steadily | will give you instance OF
rany which accounts both for the present state
OF feeling and for the exaggerated notions OF the
craze which are entertained IN the East. There was
an influential German named Schmidt-or we Will
call him Schmidt He lived three miles from
small place where was sojourning for day or
two Everybody who adhered to free-silver IDEAS
told me that there were recruits from the Repuo-
ucans. some of them the strongest men, socially in
the vicinity.
II asked for names--One name. they sald
.schmidt-a man OF considerable property. went
out 10 his farm and desiring TO have as little for
mality about my visit as possible, ordered the
driver 10 stop my vehicle In the shade near the
residence and | sent word that I desired to speak
TO Mr. Schmidt. He came out But first got
drink OF water and that gave me pretext for stop
ping there The man pretty communicative,
and we soon got to discussing silver lie employed
the usual arguments in favor Of the free coinage
of both metals laying emphasis on making an ex-
nc riment as there had been hard times for farmers
and matters could not be worse
"Oh then said l. you are going to vote FOR
Bryan and Sewall.'
NO" he replied i am a Republican,
But | rejoned you were using the arguments
of the Democrats and Populists'
'''Well.' he rejoined. Mckinney is our candidate
and can trust him to do what is best even II he
is opposed to my views. Anyhow, | am Re
publican and don't intend 10 leave the party
That man represents thousands Of Republicans
who are supposed to have gone 10 the Bryan
party. His neighbors had got the idea from his
earnest advocacy Of free silver that he had intended
to support Bryan. And yet he was as Jealous a
Mckinney any that met He was, too. the
only one in the neighborhOod whose name the free
silVeries could give convert to their cause.
there will not be change of per cent from the
large Republican majority heretofore cast In Pres-
Dental years. Wisconsin Is another State where
Gains have been made without foundation | took
particular pains find out how the German Demo-
Gratis stood. In many the sons are Republ-
cans and will vote for Mckinley The fathers. how
ever talked about personal liberty the Bennett
sound-money man. on, yes. he said, nearly all
the Germans in this country are How VIII you
Vote Well he responded. II the indianapolis
Convention VIII give Va a strong sound money plat
form and ticket | shall be satisfied with them.
Here ! discovered that the fathers would vote for
the third ticket and the sons for Mckinley 10 defeat
Bryan and Popocracy The greater number Of
substantial citizens will be found on election day
in all the States OF the Middle West voting for
Mckinley and Hobart"