The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-03-28
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
McKinley's Nomination Probable
Chandler's Severe Criticism-The
Democratic Position = Congress
ional Notes.
[From our speclaI correspondent.l


WASHINGTON, d. C., March "a, 1896
But little over tw months now intervene between
the present and the time when the Republican
National Convention will assemble at St. Louis to
name the presidential ticket. Naturally interest
begins to quicken all over the country in that i'm
portant event. and it is felt with concentrated force
at the national capital At the present time there
are seven avowed candidates for the Presidency
in the field as follows: Mckinley Reed, Morton,
Quay, Cullom, Allison and Henderson -Four at
least of this number, including Mr.. Quay himself,
have been characterized as "fayorite son" candi-
dates, which means that they have been brought
into the field by the astute leader from Pennsyl-
vania with view of diyerting the delegations of
their respective States from the great and over
powering current that has set in and is steadily
flowing in the direction of Mr.. Mckinley. Indeed,
it seems now to be almost foregone conclusion at
the present writing that Mckinley will be nomi-
mated on the first ballot, and that the next cam
paign will be fought out the great issue of the
revival of that extreme doctrine of protection
solely for projections sake of which the Ohio
statesman is the acknowledged champion.
The friends of the other candidates and especially
those of Mr. Reed. view this tidal wave toward
Mckinley not only with ALARM but with decided
manifestations of resentment. There is no room 10
doubt that the great impetus that the Mckinley
movement has received is the direct result of con-
certed movement ON the part of the protected in
terests, whereby enormous fund of money has
been contributed ina desperate effort TO make the
ohio man the Republican candidate in spite of all
opposition This movement, which has become
revealed is what the Reed men so bitterly resent,
and the sensation of the past week in Republican
campaign circles has been the open exposure in Il
newspaper interview by Senator Chandler, Of New
Hampshire one of Reeds staunch supporters ofthe
nelarious ''fat-frying'' methods of the Mckinley
following Much bad feeling and reerimination
followed Mr.. Chambers disclosure with the result
that the New Hampshire Senator came out in the
Washington Post Of Monday in communication
over his own signature in which the charge is
emphatically reiterated with the statement that
proof is available, and from which the following is
AN extract;
THE substance of the charge made In the Times
and reiterated by me was that the same men who
had assisted in raising the money to pay Mr..
protected industries to make contributions TO help
nominate him tor President Although the charge
has been denied by General Grosvenor and others,
a review of the subject confirms my conviction that
il is true. As bearing upon the question whether
the collection and the use of the funds are for
reasonable and Legitimate nomination eApendi-
lures add that the fund which IL was planned 10
raise was to be SijO,O00, sum which could not be
needed except Tor iiegitinatc purposes. In view
OF the effort 10 raise Ibis large fund from protected
interests, my points were very simple and clear
Thoughtful Republicans will do well to consider
the consequences OF a nomination thus made, the
character Of the canvass which is to ensue the pos
sibe defeat which, even with the bright prospects
before us, may come ii rush headlOng into any
egregious blunder, and the controversies, which.
even if we are successful are follow such an adj
mission Of the standing charge OF our opponents
that gross venaty and corruption attend the n;inl-
teliance OF high-taTiH system by the Republican
party, which charge we have hitherto truihfuliy
denied.
There are Indications of a combine among the
other candidates against Mckinley. but from pres
entappeamnces. his machine, thoroughly fabricated
as it is with the abundance OF fat already fried
Out. Is far in the lead that scarcely any eombna-
lion can be formed 10 break its oyerpowering force
Mckinley and extreme protection will therefore
most likely be the main issue upon which the next
campaign viii be fought-barring. of course, the
possibility that the Democratic party may take
some advance ground the silver question. With
both the great parties stradding the financial CUES
ton in 1S.2, which may be the result the Demo
Gratis could win the issue of extreme protection,
known as .McKinleyism. which has already been
eInphaticllly condemned by the country. What
the country wants is an end OF tariffagtation and
if the Democratic party had been united on the ex-
ceent tariff bill it TO the country during the
last Congress the protected interests would never
have been embOdened to make such bold stroke
for revival of McKinleyism.
The announcement of Mr.. Carlisle as the admins
tTltion candidate for the Presidency, which was
done in tentative way through the newspapers
within the past week. has stirred upa strong chorus
of opposition from all over the South. Mr.. Carl
isles wonderful conversion on the silver question
since he became part of Mr.. CIeyeland's official
family has subjected him 10 very unfavorible criti
eism nj the hands of the silver men and created
much feeling against him. His absolute disregard
of party fealty in last falls campaign in Kentucky
and in the great senatorial battle that has just
closed has served intensity the feeling against
him to such an extent that it confidently asserted
that he could not make even respectable fight for
the delegation from his State, while the South
would be soidly against him. If the suggestion of
his name in the way it was done intended to
bring out the character and extent of the opposi-
ton to the Secretary, il has been eminently sue
cessful in producing that result.
Senator Blackburn received quite ovation on
his return to the Senate yesterday from his great
and successful fight in Kentucky against treachery
in his own party and fraud, backed up by armed
force in the opposition. The Senator's desk was
lost TO view in the profusion of magnificent floral
designs the tribute of his brother SENATOR. Ken
tucky's coat of arms and its suggestive motto,
UNITED we stand, divided we fall,'' eonspicu-
Gus in this wel-designed floral display. The sena-
tor is well satisfied with the outcome under the
circumstances and is confident of his election when
the legislature meets again tive years hence.
The Delaware election case is before the Senate
from time to time, but the supporters of Mr.. Dupont
appear to be losing confidence in their success.
The Cuban resolutions were sent back to con
ference yesterday, with the probable result of the
elimination of that part of the House resolution;
referring to Intervention. NERTrAs.