The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-03-20
DEMOCRATIC POLITICS.
Interview with Mr george oolton.
From tbe baltimore American Of sunday


From the Baltimore American OF Sunday
A reporter OF the American visited the home OF
Mr.. George Cotton, Saturday, where he found the
veteran politician in his library busy with his books
and papers. Although advanced in years, he still
maintains his mental faculties unimpaired, and his
physical condition wonderfully preserved
Haven't seen you around much recently" said
the reporter do you feel the same interest in
politics as usualT'
Hoh, yes" said the veteran. Il feel the same in
tcrest and am very much concerned about the stu
alton OF our party in this state"
"As everything coming from you, said the re-
porter sis read with interest II not taxing you too
nluch, the American would like to have your views
upon the present political situation
"In order to do this" said Mr.. Cotton, sit is
necessary to go back for couple of years In 1885
the party nominated for governor Mr.. John E.
Hurst one of our principal business men, and one
against whose character and business qualifications
no objections could truthfully be made, and upon
the same ticket with him, a candidate for mayor
of the city, placed the name of Henry Williams,
another business man identified with the material
interest of the state and city and free from alia-
ton with rings or factions. But rs soon as the
nominations were made, certain faction of the
party, calling themselves elean-handed indepen-
dent Democrats, declared the nominations illegal
IN party sense, ana lOrceu upon Ds
that for years had usurped the powers Of the party
and ruled il with an iron hand; they denounced
German and Rasin as leaders, and declared they
would not support the ticket but do everything in
their power to defeat it, at the time declaring
their loyalty to the party and stating that at the
election of 1896 for president they would be found
foremost in the ranks, and battling for the success
of the Democratic party But of this may speak
fully little further on.
"Do think that German and the present mana
gers will stand aside and give the control of the
party into other hands? Mr. German does not gen.
orally play into the hands of his enemies, whether
Of his own or the opposite party. The influence OF
German and his friends necessary for the sue
cess Of the party today it ever was and there can
be no success in this state without their aid, and if
it was not serious matter, it would, indeed, be
very Iudicrous one; the idea of 10000 regular and
loyal Democrats, who stood up boldly and voted
for Bryan, who went down with their eolors flying
and their faces to the enemy, giving the manage
ment of the party into the hands of some 10000 or
$1,000 independents, calling themselves Democrats,
who have not voted the ticket for three years nm
less it suited them, and for the last two most i'm
portant eiections-one for governor and the other
for president-not only voted against the party,
but did all in their power to turn state and gov
eminent into the hands of the Republicans
''rhe election for president last fall was very
exciting one, suggested the reporter.
Yes" said Mr.. Cotton, lit was, and Il very
unequal one too the whole monied interest of the
country arrayed on one side, every banking in
stitution every railroad corporation, every trust
company every insurance company and almost the
entire press of the country arrayed against us;
the whole political four hundred of the land were
enlisted, and, with Morgan, Belmont, Whitney and
other millionaires in the lead, it was, indeed, a
wonderful combine of gilt-edged aristocrats of
high-steppers silk stocking, patent-leather, full
jeweled, eighteen-karat stemwinders with their
MILL ms behind them, and against them the people,
the toiling masses without means, and, although
the friends of Bryan made gallant fight, yet the
demoraized and impoverished condition of several
of the Western and Northwestern states made 1t
possible for those who handled millions for polii-
cal purposes to get in effective work But that is
now of the past and, although the six millions of
freemen who cast their votes for Bryan have not
changed their minds upon the silver question, yet
if the new President and Congress can devise any
means which viii restore prosperity, expand the
commerce and give employment to millions who
are now idle, things may quiet down; but II not,
then you win see that the battle has only begun.
There was one cause that contributed greatly to
the defeat of Bryan, and that was the course pur-
nominated four years ago there were mutterngs of
discomfort all along the lines; he became alarmed,
and made touching appeals to Democrats urging
upon the duty of every member of the party,
whether everything suited them or not, to stand
by the nominee of the convention. The Populists
and silyerites rallied to his support, and he was
triumphantly elected. How different with him
when Bryan was nominated by one of the ablest
conventions that ever assembled he declared that
no Democrat was bound to support the ticket, and
did all in his power to defeat it. But Cleveland
has been very lucky man, and whether his star
shall continue i'll the ascendant or go down, as did
Van Burens remains to be seen. But il the latter,
then the fall of the big fisherman and duckshooter
tray Ill 10 a4oI sreetert iHr the little
magician of Kinderhook."
GoRMAN AND THE SENATE.
''Do you think the candidates nominated by the
Democratic party would pledge themselves to vote
against German for SENATOR" asked the reporter.
Il should hardly think so, replied the veteran,
''and yet there many men who think it sma IT
to do foolish thing, and certainly no candidate
could do a more foolish thing than this. 1t would
not only degrade his manhood and lessen his self
respect but be almost certain to cause his defeat
There is not county in the state where we have q
large Democratic vote where Mr.. German has not
large following many who are under special obi
cations to him for favors received, and, although
they should not do anything to endanger the sue
cess of the general ticket would resent such an in
suit by turning down such candidate at the general
election.
"The presidential campaign of last year, though
exciting and somewhat bitter, had its humorous
turns, and give youa little ofmy own experience ;
A friend of mine, who had always been with me
until carried away by the goldstandard fever said
to me with great earnestness that if Bryan was
NIL no
cents, and hundred dollars would only realize
fifty-three Well, replied, if l take the hundred
dollars on what you say only worth fifty-three,
and pay off two claims against me of fifty dollars
eacl 1 am no loser, and l want to know where the
fortyseven dollars are Tell me, and will be after
them very quick. All said my friend, 1t is not
done in .that way. No, replied, and you don't
know what way it is done You remind me of an
old preacher in my church-the Methodist Church.
He was very good man, but very tenacious, and
somewhat cranky on the subject of getting re-
ligion.' He said. IF you have religion, you don't
know it, and if you don't know it, you can't lose it,,
and if you lose it, you can't find it. and if you can't
find it. you never had it, and that's the case with
YOU Shakespeare has an idea, believe. that if a
man is robbed, not knowing what is lost, he is not
robbed at ALL
ALI. COME TOGETHER.
"You will see that ] have discussed this matte
from Democratic standpoint alone. The Kepub-
licans have possession of all the offices and machn-
cry, both national, state and municipal, may have
the differences also but they will come together at
the right time. And that is what want Democrats
to do; if we have grievances, let us forgive tnem
Let each be willing to ignore self for the good
of the party; let Ephraim no longer Benjamin,
nor Benjamin envy Ephraim but let all, forgetting
the past, come together and no pledge be required,
except the voting for the candidate when fairly
nominated at primaries fully advertised and i'm
partially held Let this be done, and 1 think we
have fair show of retaining the state this fall
Letter from Texas.