The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1896-04-25
OPINIONS ON BLAND.
How Misaouri'S Endorsement
of Him Was Received at
the National Capital.
HE HAS NUMEROUS ADMIRERS.
Opinions of Party Leaders as to His
Availability AS u Leader.

Opinions OF Party Leaders as to His
Availability as Leader.
WASHINGTON, April l8.-The NOM
inatiOn of Mr.. Bland for president by
the democrats of Missouri, was received
with much interest, If not enthusiasm,
in Washington. The presentation of Mr..
Bland's name was received respect
fully. Few men have served in con-
gress for the same length of time who
enjoyed so thoroughly the respect of
men of all shades of opinion as Mr..
Bland. Always aggressive, always
earnest, always on the alert, he neces-
sarily, at different times, angered many
people, and was the inveterate enemy
of men who had "jobs.'
The Republic correspondent today
sought to obtain expressions of opin-
ions from free coinage democrats in
congress. Many tried to evade going
on record and it required some
pressure to induce a majority of those
quoted below 10 give expression to
their opinions. A great many men
thought that it was inopportune at this
time to go into the question of the
individual; that the first thing to be
decided was the matter of principle.
Many said that it was time enough to
talk of candidates when it was ascer-
tanned beyond a doubt that the free
coinage men could control the con-
vention. This was the opinion of
Senator Walthall, of Mississippi, and
of other influential men at the senate
end of the capitol. Here are few
opinions picked up unfortunately on
the floor of the house of representa-
tives before that body was called to
order this morning.
1t should be understood that nc
Missouri democrat was asked for his
opinion, it being taken for granted that
all the kissourians were in favor o.
Mr.. Bland without being formally put
on record.
Senator Harris, of Tennessee: go
course l would be glad TO support
Dick Bland, for the presidency.
would be glad to support any good
free silver man, and there are none
better. l am not paying much atten
tion to candidates now, however.
am more interested in principles and
in the platform and l feel very con.
fident of success for the silver dem.
Ocrats.''
Representative Terry, of Arkansas
"Bland wonld make as good a pres
ident as the country ever had. The
great issue before the American people
today is the free coinage of silver, and
Mr.. Bland has for years been con.
sistent and a courageous advocate Of
the restoration of silver to its place as
a money of the constitution. Every
silver man throughout the United
States knows where he stands upon
that vital question, and with him for 6
candidate, there would be no go bacs
upon it,"
Representative Richardson, of Ten.
nessee: "Of course the silver men are
worrying now more about the platform
than they are about the candidates and
they feel that they have quite fail
fighting chance to secure an expression
of their views in the Chicago platform
Once the platform is adopted on our side
Bland is one of the logical candidate:
for president and one whom the silver
democrats would heartily support. We
of the house kne-- him to be a gooo
man for anything"
Representative Cox, of Tennessee
81 served in congress a number O
years with Mr.. Bland, and have the
very highest regard for him. have
noticed with much pleasure the in
dorsement he has just received at the
hands of his party in Missouri. o.
course the platform is the thing to bt
looked after by the silver men, and il
they secure a victory their candidate
will receive the heartiest support. Ol
course Mr.. Bland would never be pu
upon anything but a silver platform.
Representative McRae, of Arkansas
81 claim to be the original Bland man
More than a year ago, in a speech al
home, suggested that the silver dem
ocrats should have candidate to
rally around, and that Bland was the
most available man. / am glad to see
that the Republic has come into line
with the Missouri democrats, and
know that it will do all it can tC
forward the interests of Mr.. Bland il
nominated. The paper has the righl
idea. Democrats of all kinds must
stand together or else go utterly to
ruin. With Bland for president the
country would have as rugged, honest
| courageous chief executive as 1t evel
has had.'
Representative Money of Mississippi
"Mississippi democrats have not paid
much attention yet to candidates
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