Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1896-10-20
THE POLITICAL HoT-BED.
.'The Optics" Correspondent Over
In Santa Fe Gets on the Inside,
10 49, In Matters Political. "a

To the Editor Of the Optic:
SANTA FEE, N. M October 10, 1896
st. Catron is somewhere In the north
ern part of the Territory trying to fix
things SO as toprevent defeat. Nobody
here seems to know exactly where he
is, or what he is doing. AT the repub-
lican headquarters they know nothing,
and at Catron's Office they say be will be
here "to-night," but night m and
he does moi arrive. Why this seeming
ignorance, it Is hard to tell, unlt IS
Secretary Frost, who is up to all kind
Il political schemes and tricks, and
Candidate Catron have some scheme
on. hand that they do not wish disclos-
ed. Work, 1t seems, Is being done by
the republican central committee In
sending masses Of documents under
Catron's frank, if anything else goes
On, no one seems to know 1t. Chair
man Bartlett is busy sending out docu-
ments and Secretary Frost sending out
letters, but that seems to be about all.
The cry Is heard constantly, "we have
20 money and cannot do much; had
we the Doodle, we would carry the
Territory for Catron by 5000 major
ty." But there Is some kind OF a hen
on, anyhow, and | will get onto 1t In
time to let you know before election.
Leading republicans and populists
here are bitter against Prince. They
say he Is a coward and has played
them all tricks that are unworthy in a
politician OF experience and who wants
to pose as q leader. He wanted the
popufist nomination In order to coerce
the republicans to give him their
domination and played false all around.
Now he Is going about secretly helping
AIr. Ferguson and all the free silver
are supporting Mr.. Fer
gusson on his advice, but he tells the
republicans he is with them and says
DO will make speeches for them and
the like promises. But they are all on
to him. You just ought to hear Mr..
Webber, chairman of the populist CON-
mIttee, give 1t to him. If the demo.
gratis recognize the populists of Santa
Fe county and give them or two
they will surely carry this
couaty. MIR. Webber should be put
up for Chairman Of the board Of county |
commissioners and Arthur Boyle for |
The council. Mr.. FERGUSON has ad-
vised that they be given . nomination
Of some kind but the democratic lead.
ers here will not follow this
age advice. They claim with
the Madrid vote they are
sure Of election, forgetting that Cerril-
los and Madrid two years ago gave
Mills Ill votes, enough to defeat Jo-
seph and give Catron a small majority
il this county. Neither Mr.. Weber
aor Mr.. Boyle are liked by Governor
Thornton and Sheriff Cunningham,
of the opposing democratic fec.
ions and therefore the populis.s will
got be recognized cs they deserve to
3e. y
The republicans are also not happy. \
There is o bitter fight on between T.
1. Helm, general agent Of the Rio
irandeb rail road company here, and
Charles Spiess, Of Catron's Office, for
be council. Helm would have the
bid mining and coal mining vote
gainst him in southern Santa Fe
unity, and Spiess has done some
hings that will be brought up against
i'm II he is nominated. The republi.
ans are "between the devil and the
eep sea-" and the people don't care
Fhich Of the two gets them.
At republican headquarters they fear
bat the ticket nominated by the popu.
sts and silver republicans in Socorro
Dunty will hurt Catron and loose the
'gislature and they blame II all Oh
and say he is behind 1t with his
sual "sneakery." They also &C use !
i'm Of having induced the silver re. )
nblicans in your city, such as Henry,
lney, Hartman, Forsythe, Coors and
hers to support Ferguson. They are