Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-15
BATEMAN NOT CAST DOWN.
Claims Maine for Free Silver and
WanfS SeWalI Ousfed

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
LEWISTON, Me-, September 15-L. C.
Bateman, the populist candidate for gov
ernor, was seen by The Star correspondent
last evening and asked his opinion as to
the causes which brought about the great
republican landslide. Mr. Bateman gave
the following signed statement:
The tremendous and overwhelming de-
feat that the democratic party has just
sustained in this state is no surprise to
me. In fact, 1t is exactly what 1 have
steadily predicted in nearly every inter-
view that 1 have had in The Star. Up to
TINS hour 1t seemed to be difficult to find
any one but myself that could see the
coming storm. l deny most emphaticalIy
however. that this democratic catastrophe
was caused by disbelief in the free COIN
age of silver. On the contrary, l firmly
believe that two-thirds of the voters of
this state would gladly vote for free sill
yer If they could only do SO without play
ing into the hands of the pie counter pau
pers who lead the democratic party
"A more dsreputable gang never brought
great party and noble principle into
disgrace. They are perfectly willing TO
blow either hot or cold on any public ques-
ton II it will only bring the offices. For
years l have been trying to convince the
people that nothing can ever be done
toward breaking down republican rule in
this state as long as the democratic party
the nostris of Maine voters. This does
not mean that they despise the doctrines
of Jackson and jefferson. Far from it.
But the people here know only too we'll
the cheap gang that lead the democratic
party to ruin every two years. They care
nothing whatever for principle. 1t is sim
ply bocdle with them. They are ready
to adopt any kind of a platform if it will
catch the voters and the offices Free
trade or protection. free rum prohibi-
ton. gold or silver is all the same with
them. They can adopt a platform of So
called principles week and the next
week call a convention ard reverse their
position, adopting exactly the opposite
without even blush of shame"
"A Comanche Indian would be sham med to
do things which the democratic leaders will
Go without moving muscle. The great
mass of the people have learned this fact,
and they absolutely refuse to have any
thing to do with them. Never in our his
tory was this fact better illustrated than
today.
Twenty thousand republicans would have
bolted the ticket had it not been for fear
of the democrats getting the benefit. But
they had rather be loaded down with one
democratic gang. There can never be any
material change in Maine until these men
are oI I~rthrown. This thing has now been
going for twenty years. and it will go
on for a hundred years to come, unless the
| national leaders turn them down. Once !et
| 1t be known that these men are not to
reap the Denent ana we scOulQ overthrow
the republican party al once.
IF ballot could be taken in Maine to-
morrow without the nightmare Of democ-
| racy to interfere, have not the shadow of
| a doubt that free coinage would triumph
two to one. But it is useless to talk about
| that matter any more. The republicans are
fortunate. mighty fortunate in the char
acter of their opponents in this state.
"a still greater cause of this democratic
defeat is the presence of Arthur Sewa,l
on the national ticket. ! have repeatedly
predicted this result, and 1t has come
The disaster is complete. and the national
democratic leaders can thank Sewall They
have stood by him when the populists have
protested. They needed not our warning
words. Does the voice of the whole state
convince them? If not, then by all means
| let them cling to their idol, and 1t will
simply result in the complete annihilatio
| of the democracy in November. Bryan will
| be dragged down in the general ruin, and
| the cause of reform Set back by a score
| OF years. The democrats can do just what
| ever they please. but the populists will con-
| tinue the fight against them to the bitter
| end Not only that, but we absolutely re-
| fuse to even vote for any ticket that bears
his name. We have a perfect right to
| think just as much of our self-respect
as we do of Mr.. Bryan.
The Eopulists of Maine have made a
handsome gain, in spite Of the predictions
that Bateman would lose half Of his votes
on account of his warfare against Sewall.
He laughs best who laughs last
TRIUMPH FOR MCKINLEY.
IN n rl IN