The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-06
SENATOR PRITCHARD'S RECON.
VERSION.

During the recent campaign Senator
rritchard canvassed the State and in all
his speeches declared that he stood on
the ST. Louis platform, which declares
in favor "of the present gold standard
npt;l international bimetallism can be
secured. AS international bimetalllsm Is
n myth, this declaration Of the conVen-
ton was a simple and direct gold stand
ard resolution. In proof of this, it is
only necessary 20 cali attention to the
fact that the gold men of all parties sup
,orted Mr.. Mckinley az the single stand
ard candidate.
Not only did Senator Pritchand cham
pion and defend the gold standard plat
form of his party, but he made speeches.
IN which he ridiculed free coinage as
measure of relief and held up those who
advocated free coinage as false guides
Of the people. He compared free COIN
age TO free rum and free riot.
This Is not all. Early in the year 1896,
Mr.. Pritchard put himself at the head
Of the Mckinley forces in North Caro-
lima secured an almost solid delegation to
st Louis for Mckinley, and procured the
passage Of an anti-silver resolution by the
Republican State convention held in Raj
eigh.
Cognizant OF these facts, the Popullsts
declined last summer to agree to support
Senator Pritchard for reelection, all
though they had the tender of the Of
fee of governor if they would make an
agreement to re-elect Pritchard.
This is the state of the case as il stood
in the year of 1896. Since the election,
until yesterday, Senator Pritchard had
not announced any change Of views 1t
was his desire to be reelected to the
Senate unpledged. Col Harry Skinner
and other Populists waited on him yes
terdav and told Senator Pritchard that,
while certain Populists would keep their
agreement and vote for him anyhow,
there were others who would vote for
him If he would write let
ter stating that he would vote
for silver. He wrote the letter, and Col.
Skinner has been reading 1t to the Popu-
lists. 1t is complete surrender m words,
and a pledge to vote for silver at the ratio
of 16 to !. There is no assurance that ne
will not write another letter the morn
ing after the election announcing another
change of heart.
we do not know how this new "hop'
will affect the members of the Legisla-
ture. 1t will convince those who have
all along intended to vote for Prlbchard
for the hope of office or Mark Hannas
money. They will hail it as their own
open door to betraying their party with
nlausible excuse. Those who really be-
liaye in the free coinage of silver, who
hate McKinley's gold standard platform
and declarations, who are. in the move
ment for financial reform to secure relief
for the whole people rather than job
for themselyes-these men will be disgust
ed with the sham and pretence and char
latanry of the whole business.
Senator Pritchard exposes himself by
this last utterance as q cheap POLITICIAN
simply that and nothing more. As q sill
yer man, or as a gold man, he could
command respect, but as Hopper" self
confessed and publicly exposed, he is In
a pitiable condition, and wholly unworthy
to sit in the seat of Vance.
If the Populists are ready to pay $5,ss
600 per year for ''foppers,' Senator
Pritchard will have plenty of company.