The San Francisco call., 1896-08-04
OPPOSED TO
FREE SILVER.
Leading Democrats Of Los
Angeles Declare for
Mckinley.
WILL WORK TO DEFEAT
BYRAN.
Believe That the Election of the
Nebraskan Would Be a
Calamity.
SOUND BUSINESS MEN GIVE
THEIR VIEWS.
Are Against a Third Ticket Because
It Would Divide the Gold
Forces.
SOUND BUSINESS MEN GIVE
THEIR VIEWS.
Are Against Third Ticket Because
It Would Divide the Gold
Forces.
Los ANGELES OFFICE OF THE CALL,
32S SOUTH BROADWAY,
A q. Arnrr

Z
Los ANGELES, CAL, Aug. 3.
There is no doubt that a majority
of the business men of Los Ange-
les who have heretofore voted the
Democratic ticket will not do so this
yesr. Many are outspoken in their
support of Mckinley and Hobart, but
there are others who for personal reasons
are saying little about their Gisaffection
from the Chicago nominees and platform.
As one of the malcontents remarked to-
day:
There is many a self-respecting Demo
crat who is not proclaiming from the
housetops that he IS going 20 vote for Nc
Kinley, but when November 3 comes he
will put his little Joker into the ballot-box
in the shape that will do the most good.
In other words his K will be stamped after
the names of the Mckinley electors. I'll
vote and work for the Republican stand
ard-bearers, much as I dislike to do such a
thing, but 1 believe it is the only honor
able thing to do under the circum-
stances"
Such in substance is the refrain of about
every other Democrat of prominence that
one sounds on the question. There are
others who are not so timid about giving
publicity to their sentiments, and speak
their minds freely to all men. Take Colonel
John E. Platter for instance. Colonel
Platter is banker and capitalist. He is a
Southern man and served with distinction
in the Confederate army. He has been a
lifelong Democrat, but when asked as to
his views on the political situation in this
year of Democratic disgrace. he said:
f'You can say emphaticslly that am an
uncompromising Mckinley man. 1 don't
see that there is any use of saying more.
That's enough"
The manner in which Colonel Platter said
this left no room for doubt as to his earn
estness. He is man of great influence in
the community, and will doubtless con-
vert others TO his way of thinking and
voting. He is, in fact, quite active in
making Mckinley voters.
C. A Kenyon, manager of Bradstreet's 8
Commercial Agency, said: Count me
among the McKinleyites, although
never voted for Republican candidate
for President in my life. 1 have, in fact.
been a free-trade Democrat, and still
cling to the traditions of my party, but
cannot support such a platform as was
the two old parties has been reversed, and
I find the Republican platform more
nearly representing my principles than
that of the so-called Democracy. There
fore, feel that it is my duty to vote for
the Republican standard bearers. My po-
sition keeps me. in close touch with the
business men of this city, and l find that
many who have been Democrats hereto
fore will vote the Republican ticket this
year. There is no question in my mind
that the business interests OF the country
will suffer if Bryan is elected, but / have
no fear that he will enter the White
House."
Herman W. HeIlman, president of the
Farmers and Merchants Bank. and
brother of l. W. Hellman of the Nevada
Bank, said: II think it is safe to say that
a great many of the best Democrats in Los
Angeles County will vote for Mckinley,
not because they have ceased to be Demo
Gratis, but because the Democratic party
has no nominee for President. I do not
count Bryan as representing the party.
Many of US will be forced to vote for the
head of the Republican ticket, but for
other offices we will continue to vote for
the Democratic nominees. provided they
are good and capable men and represent
true Democratic principles"
Edward German, president of the
Southern California Wine Company, and
brother of Eugene Germain, American
Consul at Zurich, Switzerland, said: 81 am
not free-silver Democrat and therefore
cannot vote for Mr.. Bryan. There seems
to be but one alternative; that is to vote
for Mckinley"
J. NJ. Elliott, president of the First Ma
tional Bank said: II do not like to saw
ANYTHING about the money question. for
the simple reason that we bankers are al.
ways being accused of trying TO work poll
tics for our own exclusive benefit. MANY
people, especially workingmen, think they
ought to oppose anything that we bankers
favor 1 greatly deprecate that any such
class feeling should exist, because we are
all fellow -toilers in sense and IL is not true
that bankers are different from the rest of
the human race? But what is the use OF
talking about that. 1t is enough to say
that l am a sound-money Democrat and
therefore not in sympathy with the Chi
capo platform. I have not said that I will
vote for Major Mckinley, but I cannot
support Mr.. Bryan, and the real Demo-
Gratis have not yet nominated a candi-
date"
W. s. Devan, capitalist: "I am Demo-
crat. but solid for Mckinley. l think the
salvation of the country depends upon his
election"
a Democrat but cannot support the ticket
nominated at Chicago. Our business
would suffer if the Chicago platform went
into effect, so l hope to see it defeated. 1
do not believe Populist support will help
Bryan. Success for him would mean dis
aster to the business interests of the
country"
Shirley V. Martin, time-keeper for the
Cudahy Packing Company, is a young
Democrat who is wise before his gener-
alton. Mr.. Martin is very intelligent,
energetic young man who reads and thinks
for himself. said he to The CALL inter-
viewer:
II was born and bred Democrat If ever
there was one. | am a native of Kentucky,
which has always been regarded the hot
bed of Democracy. Both OF my grand
were shareholders, and my father
fought for the .Confederacy. With such
an ancestry how could be anything but