Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-10-09
SILVER IN OHIO.
A Big Split in the Democratic
Party Imminent.
IMPORTANT BEARING on the ERECTION,
Mr.. McLean's Advice Fiay Cost the
Democracy Many Votes The
Real Situation.


There IS foreshadowing OF coming
events which. it is said will have i'm
portant bearing upon the fall cleo
tons in that state
As stated IN last Saturdays Star,
Mr. Towne denies that it has been ia.
timated to him by the Democratic
managers in Ohio that his services as
a free silver talker will not be needle
in the Ohio campaign. IF such
course was in contemplation on the
part Of Allen o. Myers and State
Chairman McConville, it had not been
outlined TO him.
tits learned. however, from other
sources, that campaign of education
and oratory on the lines of free silver
by Mr.. Towne or any one else will be
discouraged by the Ohio managers.
/ This statement is putting the case
mildly. The real fact is that the
| Democrats in Ohio are on the point
of abandoning free silver as an issue
altogether in the campaign and ex-
erting their energies in other direc-
tons. 1t is said that Mr.. John R
/ Mclean, who in this case is the con-
/ trolling spirit in the Democratic cam
paign has come to the conclusion that
under existing circumstances free
silver as campaign capital would he
losing investment
This would be but a passing Incl
dent in the campaign, subject to com
ment, but not worthy ofdeep consid.
Grafton, were it not for the fact, il is
said, that there are some other Demo-
Gratis in Ohio besides Mr. Mclean and
whose political creed comprises more
than the mere election OF a United
States Senator. And here is where
Mr.. Towne and his friends enter the
equation as factors.
The statement is made that the
abandonment of the cause of free sill
yer by the Democratic managers in
Ohio will bring about very big split
| in the party in the buckeye state.
Those wao put forward this assertion
explain it by saying that large pro-
/ portion of the Democracy in Ohio at
fhie fi,,,a on,,r,eta ~ ,,,a,, 49,. f,n...,.A
4 ly ard earnestly believe in the unlim-
tied free coinage of silver by the
United States Government as hnan-
cial policy which will bring great
good to the people of the country
Some of these men are former Repub-
licans, who left their old political as
ISOLATION, and who stand by the Dem
ocratic platform on account of this
free silver plank.
This being the case, it is claimed
that these people will not submit to
the abandonment of free silver Just
because Mr.. Mclean may happen to
believe that it will advance his inter
ests or the welfare of the Democratic
machine in Ohio. 1t is pointed out
that Mr. Towne is the head of the ele-
ment organized under the term of
bimetallists, with whom the advance
ment of the cause of free silver is the
first consideration. In this aggrega-
tion are gathered many men who were
formerly prominent in the Republican
party; Senator Teller and his associa-
ties. who walked out Of the Republican
National Convention at ST. Louis, for
instance. They undoubtedly have a
large following through the United
States, and it is claimed fair proper
ton of them are in Ohio.
This assertion is made that itSena-
tor Teller, Mr.. Towne, and the rank
and file of voters whom they represent
left the Republican party for free
silver ssake, they will not espouse the
CAUSE VI L-hlOSldSJ II lice SILVER 10
given up as a political issue by that
party. If this be true, it is claimed
it will mean that the Democracy will
lose very heavy vote in Ohio this
fall. It is known shat the bimetallic
leaders are exceedingly indignant at
the proposed intention of the Demo
cratic managers in Ohio with respect
to the free silver plank. Efforts will
be made to induce Mr.. Mclean to re-
consider the program in this respect,
but if he persists in his course, it is
said to be a certainty that an iinme-
diate split will occur in the ranks Of
the Democracy, and the men who
have been allies Of the Democrats will
become their bitter enemies.-From
the Washington Star, Qnd.), Septem.
Der ~.