The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-03
WAVE-'SENATOR
,IONES'S VIEWS-IT1E PACIFIC
RAILROAD.


Washington, Dec. 31.-(Editorial cor
respondence)-I have a good friend here,
n lifelong Northern Democrat who told
me in September that he could not sup
mort the Democratic National ticket be-
cause he believed it would not drive a.
way the depression that has been hang
ing over business for several years. He
said he wanted confidence restored
more than the success Of any political
marty. and for that reason would vote for
Mckinley.
Yesterday after reading two or three
columns Of failures, the suicide of bank
officer. the collapse OF banks, and other
evidences Of McKinleyism, decided to
call urson my friend in spirit of getting
a little revenge. He had wrapped about
him the mantle OF knowing it all on the
occasion of my September visit, and had
become truly eloquent as he pictured the
immediate return of prosperity as soon
as the people could be assured that there
was no danger of free coinage. He had
secuted the idea of the need Of more
money, or of additional currency legisla-
ton. "All the country needs to have
business revive is for the people to vote
against free coinage. When that is done,
YOU win see the mills open, and business
hum" was his knowing dictum.
I do not doubt he was honest
then, and so when l looked in upon him
reading disaster after disaster in the
morning Post, he thought l had come
to remind him of his glowing predictions,
and to tell him that his prophecy had
been a wretched failure,and he began 10
say that times were bad, and that nobody
knew what was the matter With the coun-
try anyhow. He said that the result of
the election had not converted him to the
silver theory but it had made it clear to
him that he didn't know anything at all
about what ought TO be done, and he
had made up his mind to so out of the
prophecying business, and vote the Dem
ocratic ticket as it is printed. He is
one of many more.
Not a great while after this converse
ton ] met a New Yorker who is largely
engaged in manufacturing, and who owns
stock in one or more cotton mills in North
Carolina. He said he had been crazy
Mckinley man, and believed that the fact
of his election would make business brisk.
81 am the most disappointed man in the
country" he said, "and though / do not
believe in your silver theory, wish you
had succeeded so we could try it. If
the people could vote tomorrow, Bryan
would have a million majority in the
country Now this rich man (he is worth
a half a million at least) was not talking
for buncombe. He wouldn't allow his
name printed for anything, and would
in my opinion vote for Mckinley if it
was to go over again, but THAT would
be the most he would do. The fat check
he gave to the campaign fund would stay
in his own pocket, and he would let things
take their course. / suggested to him
that. having won the election by the help
of sound money" men, Mr.. Mckinley
now proposed to restore prosperity by
imposing a higher tariff, He grew pro-
fame. flor he 'cusses' on proYocaton),
and said that the only hope of the cOun-
try was in the people living hard and get
ting along in spite of the fools who think
that the people can be made prosperous
by increasing their taxes.
Senator Jones, of Arkansas, who grew
upon the country from the day he be
came chairman of the National Demo
cratic committee, is a strong man, never
optimistic, but matter of fact. He was
very much criticised because he refused
to concede McKinley's election for two
whole days but later events proved that
he knew the Republicans had deep seated
schemes to claim everything. put Demo-
Gratis off their guard, and steal other
States as they stole Kentucky. As it turn
ed out, the purchased and bulldozed vote
was large enough to give Mckinley the
election without resort to the Kentucky
methods, but Senator Jones was wiser
than people supposed. He prepared to OPP
pose and Illustrate frauds, if it had been
a very close election. I had an interview
with him yesterday. He has not yet
found out that silver is dead. He be-
leves it is still the livest issue in Amer
lean politics, and that it will yet win.
He does not talk much for publication.
He is not whistling to keep his courage
up. He actually believes it. What is
moro he knows it. He gets his informa-