Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-14
THE CAMPAIGN OF 1900.

he CAMPAIGN OF 1900.
In the current December number Of
N1unsey's Magazine, Hon. j. K. Jones,
chairman Of the National Democratic
Committee, has communication on
1.-The Campaign of 1900" that is of
much interest. It discusses the
probable issues. the prospects of par
ties, and concludes thus:
IT look with great confidence, to the
success of the Democratic party next
year, for the reason that none of those
who voted with us In 1896 will abandon
us. The Populists and the silver Re-
pubicans. stand with US on all ques-
tons, and Will Join with us in pre-
senting solid front, In the approach
ing contest. Further, thousands of
those who voted the Republican ticket
In 1895 will for one reason or another
vote with us in 1900. Especially will
the Republicans who believe in bimet-
allism be inclined to Join us, because
of the dupllcfty Of their party on this
most important question
Reviewing the past. he declares that
the Republican party professed bimet-
allism to deceive and amuse the peo-
pie, while sedulously laboring and
scheming to establish and perpetuate
gold monometallism; and that into
this dishonest policy Cleveland lent
himself, and sought to betray the Dem
ocratlc party. This led to the popular
Democratic revolt at Chicago in 1896
the National Democratic Convention
disowning Cleveland and Clevelandism
and declaring "unreservedly for the
unlimited coinage of both gold and sill
YER" or. On other words, for the resto-
ration of the law on this subject Just
as it existed prior to 1873. THIS HAD
ALWAYS BEEN THE TRUE POLICY
OF THE DEMOCRACY, but certain
elements in the East. whose support
was considered essential to the success
Of the Democratic ticket, had hampered
the party's action on the question.
The Democracy finally determined to
pursue It's halting policy no longer,
but to make clear DECLARATION
OF IT'S PRINCIPLES.
AS result, bimetallism became the
issue OF the campaign. The one thing
in particular which commended the
Democratic convention of 1886 to the
people was the fact that it was the
first convention to say exactly what
1t meant In plain, unequivocal terms
This gave the people confidence in the
party, and was largely the cause of
the enormous vote which it's candi-
date received-nearly @ million more
than Mr.. Cleveland polled when he
was elected four years before by what
was ait the time called a phenomenal
majority.
But. an unlimited campaign fund"
enabled the Republican party, as the
highest bidder to command success.
THE enormous sums" says Senator
Jones, spent In 1896 by the Republican
National Committee were put up by
certain business interests which were
to be cared for II the Republican
party gained control of the govern
ment; the belief that for this reason
certain features were written into, the
Dingley law; and that these interests
have more than recouped the great
Sums which they expended on the
campaign-this Will be felt at the
polls when honest. unselfish. patriotic
men come to express themselves.
TRADING ON ELECTIONS TO THE
HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE GIFT OF
THE PEOPLE CANNOT LONG BE
TOLERATED. The collection
of an enormous campaign fund ought
to condemn any political party, for
such campaign funds are in themselves
proof positive Of evil purposes"
Bimetallism, the chairman believes,
will still be an important Issue Of
1900: for, after reference to the
historical record OF the effects OF
former great gold discoveries. he says:
"rhe recent addition to our stock Of
gold Is greatly beyond the largest pro-
duction OF those times. and the pros
perity resulting from 1t goes far to
establish the argument of the bimetal-
lists, that an increased volume of
money means increased business fa-