Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-10-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON, OcT. 18th, 1896.


propriety would prevent his "mingling
actively" in the campaign, but since
his return to Washington it has become
apparent that he intends to pull all the
wires in his reach to bring about Bryan s
defeat, and most democrats prefer that
he should "mingle actively" which
seems to be his definition of taking part
in public meetings, instead of working
privately in his executive office against
BRYAN; and they have had some hard
things to say about his writing a letter
commencing the gold movement, to be
read at a gold meeting addressed by a
member of his cabinet, while by his
order, other members OF his cabinet
were Diminishing officials for being can
didates for Office on the silver ticket,
and in some instances for just working
for the silver ticket.
A considerable sum ofmoney-at one
place $l2OOO-is posted in Washington
to bet on McKinley's election, the odds
now being offered are 8 to l, but there
is less betting than was ever known at
this period of presidential campaign.
Chairman Butler of the Populist Ma
tional Committee figures out 232 cleo
toral yotes-8 more than enough to
elect-for Bryan, without including the
states of Illinois, Delaware, Michigan,
Iowa. and Ohio, in all of which he claims
that Bryan has an even chance to via.
But in Senator Buffers Nsure thing
list are a number Of states which are
also in all the republican "sure thing"
lists.
The Popullst Campaign Book will be
issued this week. The other campaign
books have been out some time. The
delay in issuing the Populist book was
caused by delberation as to whether
one should be issued at all. 1t differs
somewhat radically from either the
democratic or republican campaign
books, in that it emphasizes its discus
sion of the transportation question in
connection with the money question.
The book asserts that "those who profit
by our pernicious monetary laws and
discriminating system of taxation. to-
eether with those who control our trans
portation facilities, have created odous
trusts and monopolies. All Of these are
taking an active part in politics and are
placing their entire power behind and
in support of the gold standard"
In view of the claims made by both
parties as to Kentucky, the opinion Of
Mr.. M. J. Richmond, whose former
prominence inKentucky politics enables
him to speak with authority, enhanced
by his now being practically out ofpol.
itics, is interesting. Mr.Richmond who
has Just come to Washington from Ken
lucky said: ut is extremely difficult to
say how the electoral vote ofKentucky
will go. The betting is even, neither
side being willing to give odds. My
opinion is that the wholequestion hinges
of the populist vote. That was $4,000
in the last election, and supposng it
goes solidly for Bryan, the question is
whether it will exceed the loss OF sound
money democrats who will vote either
for Mckinley or Palmer. think a
majority of the sound money democrats
are going to vote the republican ticket.
In Covington and Newport, there is a
large German Catholic element, which
is strongly for Bryan and | believe most
Of the working men are on his side. One
of the odd features Of the campaign
is the attitude of Pole Carlisle, broth
CAsTo7IA.
Ths 10. #