Evening star., 1896-09-21
Ex-MAYOR FITZPATRICK,
He In Nominated for Congress by
Louisiana Silver Democrats.


Louisiana Silver Democrats.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
NEW ORLEANS, La. September IL, 1896
The financial furry of the past week,
during which three banks failed, and the
startling disclosures of the looting OF one
bank Of over s6oO,Oo0 by two bookkeepers
have overshadowed politics for the time
being, and IL is only within the last day
or two that the politicians have, been able
to claim any attention.
The first and second district congressional
conventions of the silver democrats have
been held, and they each nominated a ward
boss. The first district convention was a
remarkable one. in view of the fact that
The slate did not so through. and that the
man who was manipulating the machine
was himself nominated against his will.
That man is John Fitzpatrick the ex-
mayor. whose craftsmanship is a matter of
doubt. but who. when it comes TO ward poll
tics, can be ranked with the ablest. Gen.
Adolph Meyer is The present representative
itom this district. and for a long tine F'itz-
patrick has been the recognized boss of
the district. About six years ago n con-
tract was entered into between Meyer and
FITZPATRICK by which the former was to
be sent to Congress for three successive
terms. That contract has been carried out
but Congressman Meyer came here again
and asked for fourth term. To all ap-
pearances Fitzpatrick agreed to deliver the
goods, despite the fact that Meyer had
suddenly become very unpopular I'm his
district. Though il was known that there
would be little opposition to Meyer and
II had been whispered about that Fitz-
patrick would likely dump him. il was not
known until the convention mot that the
State would be smashed. Fitzpatrick tried
10 nominate Meyer, but the, convention
would not let him. Somebody dominated
Fitzpatrick, and il went through with a
whoop, despite the latt.r's vehement pro-
They would h.-ar of 10. ..lS,
| ing, and now great pressure is brought to
bear on him TO accept and make the race.
The main argument is that they need
s'ronS man, and his declnation AT this
| time would lead to the belief that he fore
| sees defeat, and is not willing to be sac
| rificed. The district committee will meet
| tomorrow, and he will there send in his
written declinailon, but il is understood
| that the program is to simply ignore this
and go ahead and organize for the cam
| pa;sn. Gen. Meyer, of course, feels sore at
| MS defeat, but number Of his friends
| preNa:fd On him 10 call on Fitzpatrick and
| urge him to run, at the same time releas-
J ing him from all obligations
Bob Davey Nominated.
In the second district they put up their
strongest man in Bob Davey. who has al
| ready served one term in Congress. They
| could not get anybody else to take it, since
| Congressman Bucks positive refusal 10
stand on the Chicago platform. Davey re-
| fused to accept up to "a day before the
| convention, and then he reconsidered and
| got the nomination without dissenting
| voice. When he in Congress before
he was sound money man. and voted
/ for the repeal of the Sherman act. but now
he has become free silverte, and stands
| sqGarely on the Chicago platform. He
| acknowledges that ne does not know very
| mucN about the question, but he is demo-
| crau.
The republicans are still divided and
| their two candidates in each congressional
| district are still in the field. There is some
talk Of combination between the new
! republicans and the sound money demo-
| Gratis on Congressman. Even this will not
help much, and unless some steps are
taken speedily 10 stop this factional fight
| a chance to elect at least three ?. publicans,
| who are sound money mon. VIII be lost.
| The regular republicans are fighting for
patronage, pure and simple. and that is
| all there is 10 il. They are using the negro
as lever TO gain their end, anG. with the
| regular organization. which they control.
! ar" making desperate fight. and at the
| same time letting slip a good opportunity
| TO build up a good republican party i'm the
| state. They could not help the deInocra s
more than by their present policy, and
there is no doubt but that both Fitzpatrick
and Davey viii take steps to see that the
re gular' candidates for Congress are k. ut
in the field, so as 10 split the vote. If this
is done, the democrats will that the
regulars get the representation at the polls
on election day, and the new republicans b,
| shut out. Unless the sound mon.E demo
| Gratis get representation at the polls. "a
! see that there is a fair count. they might
well lay down their arms now. for ths
election VIII be the usual farce. The new
! election law is on the Australian balloi
principle. and, If carried out, would aid
the republicans, but il is doubtful il il vii
| be lived up TO. The experience OF the pas
shows that there is very little n gard fol
| the law.
| There is urgent need for Mr. Hanna tC
| send a shreWd and fair-minded man dow!
| here 10 straishtcn out the tanEic IA m,
republican ranks. 1t is the only hope u
| success