The herald., 1897-12-26
Gov. Altgeld Talks About
the Silver Sentiment
AND VARIOUS OTHER THINGS
HE SAYS THE REACTION IN GOLD
STATES HAS BEGUN
Illinois Ex-Governor Talks About the
Condition of Affairs in His
Own Commonwealth


in Los Angeles yesterday morning, ac-
companied by his wife. He will remain
here few days and then visit Coronado.
The trip to the coast is made in the hope
of benefiting Mrs. Altgeld's health,
which has been quite poor of late.
| A Herald reporter met the train on
which the governor arrived from San
Francisco at River station at 1880
o'clock yesterday morning. Governor
Altgeld and his wife were found in their
apartment already up and enjoying
their first gimpses of Southern Call
fornia through the window of a Pullman
palace car.
Tell you something about what brings
me to California;" said the governor.
why. yes, I'll tell you, but there isn't
much to say on that subject. 1 have
come here simply in the hope Of benefit
| ing my wife's health. We both needed
rest, and expect to take it here in South
ern California.
II don't know yet how long we shall
remain, but we will probably be here
four or five weeks. We have no definite
plans as yet, except to go wherever our
fancy leads us. We shall stop a few days
in Los Angeles first, and at the end of
that time will know better where we can
spend the time most profitably to our
lselves.
mo, I'm out of politics on this
trip. I have nothing for publication to
say on that subject"
But you have observed the political
and commercial conditions in the states
through which you have travelled on
your trip westward, have you not, gov
ernor?" was asked.
"Oh, yes. 1 couldn't very we'll help do
ing that" was the reply, "and of course
have made many observations since 1
started from home. You may be sure of
the fact that the silver sentiment is
growing stronger through the whole
country. 1t Is so in my own state, Illi-
nois. and I have found it the same all
over the country. Silver will win at
the next election. Nothing can prevent
its success, if the tide of public senti-
ment keeps on growing as it has done
since the last campaign. There is no
doubt that Mr.. Bryan was elected at the
last election, but through the frauds
perpetrated by the Republican party
he was cheated out of his seat at Wash
ington. These things are all telling
now There will be an inevitable re-
action at the next election.
THE commercial conditions through
out the United States are not improved
The golden promises made by President
Mckinley of the good times to come hay.
never been realized, and never will. The
Republican journals have sung the song
Iof prosperity until they are hoarse, but
the improved conditions which they rant
so much about have never been expe-
rienced by the laborer or the business
man.
Just. one branch of business has been
improved since President McKinley's in
auguration, and that Is along the line of
stock speculation. This has been
greatly stimulated.
Crops in Illinois were good this year,
but there is no market for the product.
The condition of the farmer. this year
in my state is not an enviable one. The
recent great coal strike shows how thor
oughly the golden good times promised
have been realized by those who are en-
gagged in what comprises one of the
states greatest industries.
Here we are" remarked Governor
Altgeld, who had forgotten that he
didn't have anything to say about pol
tics. as the train pulled up at Arcade
depot. He seized valise in each hand
and. accompanied by his wife, boarded
an omnibus for the Van Nuys hotel.
Your mornings are chilly here" re-
marked Mrs. Altgeld, as she drew her
wrap around her shoulders.
Eyes, but it's Christmas" said her
husband. why, this is quite a town."
he added. looking about him as the car
riage rolled up Main street "If your
days are like this one. shouldn't mind
remaining for some time in the metrop-
oils of Southern California"