Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-16
THE SCOTT INTERVIEW.
The Major Did Not Dcnouncc the
Chicago Platform.

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
In the Baltimore Sun of August 3, 1896,
the following appeared from its Warren
ton correspondent, under date of August
?, 1896:
Acknowledgement r. Taylor Scott is
here speeding the summer at his hos
pitable country seat. In a recent con-
versation with the Suns correspondent
the Attorney-General said: while / con-
denim the Chicago platform as being ut
terly at variance with Democratic princi-
pies, and u most incendiary attack upon
our institutions, | believe in accepting
Bryan. He is young, able, and honest,
and viii give Mckinley the gamest run
for his spurs that the Republican party
ever dreamed of. As a Democrat Of the
old regime, ! am opposed TO Independent
movements. Maryland is an Illustration
of Jumping from the frying-pan into the
fire. our present monetary trouble is
due entirely TO the Republican party,
and in spite of their protestauons about
sound money. | am opposed to giving
them the reins OF government for an
other generation"
This communication was written by
Alls AAHI lla'i - a. lAif a lAAtAl VI NY
father. Major X. Taylor Scott. and my
self. This interview was based on a
casual talk in Major SCOTS Office in
WarrentOn. There were present Maj-r
Scott, MI Payne, Mr.. John A. G. Keith,
and myself, and. possibly, others Major
Scott is now too i'll 10 talk with him
about any matter connected with his
candidacy for denomination. Some days
ago, however, ! wrote 20 him, and gave
my recollection Of this interview, and he
replied that his memory and Mr.. Kelths
agreed with my statement of IT,
THE CONVERSATION.
The conversation between Major Scott
and Mr. Payne was, according to the
distinct recollection of Major Scott Mr..
Keith, and myself. in substance as fol-
lows: Mr.. Payne stated that the opinion
Of the Baltimore people ana OF the Sun
was that the Chicago platform was revo-
lutionary, anarchisuc, and Populistic
and that the people Of Maryland would
not support IL. Major Scott turned in
his chair and said: Whether it be revo-
lutionary. anarchistc Populislic, or any
other istic, it is the platform OF The
Democratic party, and every true Nir-
ginian Interested in the welfare of his
State could not do otherwise than give
il his hearty support. and SO far as he
was concerned ii mattered not what the
platform Of the party Was on the fnan-
cial question. he major Scott would
give II his hearty support. and he thought
n was unwise for the people OF Virginia
10 do what Maryland had done and turn
their state over 10 the Republicans "
Nv distinct recollection is that Major
Scott said that he was lawyer. aud not
a fnancier, and that while he knew but
little about the currency question. he
thought il wise 10 give 4 trial to the
free and unlimited coinage Of silver as
declared in the platform. He did say he
was opposed TO any attack upon the
Supreme Court. | am sure Mr.. Payne
who took no notes OF this conversation
and reported ii sometime thereafter. n
tended 10 report 1t accurately. But his
own views and his failure to take notes
of what was general talk among
friends led him into a misapprehension