The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-08-06

illness while away. Mrs. Willis and
their son are in excellent health and
are evidently glad to get back to Homo
lulu.
Asked about the political situation
in the United States, Mr.. Willis said:
Gas a Minister you must know that |
represent all parties and it would not
be proper for me to express any views
on the coming election
''Then let us talk in an undertone
Mr. Willis, SO that the United States
Minister to Hawaii will not Overhear
US and you, as an advocate Of the prln-
ciples of the democracy in the United
States, can tell the people here just
what you think the result would be.
1T would be difficult, almost useless
for me to prophecy. l will say, how
ever, that the situation is something to
marvel at. There has been such an
upheaval and change of sentiment that
one can compare it only to the cru
sades. I have no doubt if the election
was to take place now that Bryan
would be elected, but with several
months campaigning one can hardly
tell what changes may take place.
"Will it be a clean or muddy fight be-
tween opposing factions ?"
Clean, absolutely clean. Major Nc
Kinleys record is one upon which
there is not a single unclean spot; |
served with him two terms in Congress
and he never did an act in private or
public life that he can be ashamed Of.
Mr.. Bryan is of course a younger man
and with less experience as a public
man. 1 am but slightly acquainted
with him, and as far as l know his pri-
vate life has been a clean one
do you believe that the nomination
of Mr.. Bryan by the POpulists will have
a tendency to cause a split in that
party?"
Hardly a split, but it may put it out
of existence in some sections of the
country. In the South, for instance,
where the Populists since the organic
alton of the party have fought the
Democrats there may be a difference,
but | doubt if it will be noticeable to
any extent. In the West l have no
doubt there will be harmony"
What of Kentucky?"
louisville, my home, being largely a
mercantile city is rather strong for
gold, but the state is overwhelmingly
for silver and Will support Bryan. But
as l have said the situation is such that
nothing would surprise me-
do you think the Democrats can
count on a solid South ,"
Il have no doubt of it as it stands
now. The West is solidly Democratic
even in States which have formerly
gone Republican. California is doubt
full. yet when one considers the local
issues it seems as though there can be
little doubt as to the result. The fight
against Huntington and the Southern
Pacific strengthens the chances of the
party there"
Referring to a solid South, Mr..
Willis, you do not think Louisiana will
go Democratic after the protection of
the sugar interests plank was inserted
in the platform.
"Oh, yes! The people there are not
strong Mckinleyites because the plan
! ters down there have not forgotten the
effect of the bounty clause in the Nc
Kinley bill. That, you will remember,
brought them into competition with the
planters here. Ny belief is that while
Louisiana is counted as a Republican
State in this instance the majority will
be exceedingly small if there is any.
But let me repeat: I will not be sur
pTised at anything when election day -
over. The excitement is intense and
people just now have their minds made
up; it is impossible to get them out to
meetings, they will not listen to reason
or arguments; their faith is strong. |
understand that tickets are planned to
throw over Congressman for electors.
So far as the two Vice-Presidential
candidates are concerned it really