Evening journal., 1900-10-30
He ROCiteS His Reasons for
50 Doing
BRYAN IS NOT A DEMOCRAT
VirginianS Who Vote Against Him Do
Not Think They Break
Party Lines

Under date of October IS the editor
of the Manufacturers Record address,
ed to- John SHELTON Williams, OF Rich
mond, president Of the Seaboard Air
Line and largely interested in
many enterprises that are adding to
the prosperity of the South, the follow
ing letter:
While attending the meeting OF the
New lHngland Cotton Manufacturers
Association in Washington yesterday l
was struck with the great interest
evinced as to the policy of the South
IN the present political campaign. one
OF the leading members OF the associa-
ton, representing large capital and
himself a considerable investor in the
south said to me that there was prac-
tically unlimited capital in the North
which would be readily invested in
Southern enterprises il the North felt
entirely safe in putting its money in
the South. In effect his statement was
this: AS the whole business element
OF the country feels a hesitation at
present in making new investments or
going into new enterprises because of
the bare possibility OF the election OF
Mr.. Bryan, 50 the capitalists OF the
North at all times feel hesitation
about investing in the South because Of
its position in the past and at pres
ent in favor Of what may be called
Organism. I know said he, that the
business people Of the South are large
ly opposed to Organism, because they
tell me so; and yet they do not seem
to appreciate the fact that they are de-
pending upon the North and West to
save them from the disasters which
they know would come should Mr.
Bryan be elected 1t seems to me,
therefore, he added, that It is incum-
bent upon the business leaders of the
South TO show their colors, and, II they
are opposed to Mr. Bryan, to take an
open stand against him in this cam
paign, which means so much FOR the
honor and prosperity OF the United
States
In the light Of this idea, that It be-
hoOves the Southern business man, who
realizes the danger to the South as well
as to the country at large of Organism,
to make known his position l should
be very glad to have your views upon
the duty OF the South in this cam
paign- You have been so intimately
identified with the best interests OF the
South. and have accomplished so much
for its upbuilding, that as one OF its
greatest business leaders your views
must necessarily carry great weight
1.-The Manufacturers Record is op-
posed to Bryanism because 1t believes
that the policies which 1t represents
would be disastrous to the country, and
especially to the South; but its col
umns are open to the fullest and freesi
discussion OF such public questions
and, whether or not you agree with the
~. q. f0L ah a
be glad to publish your views upor
these questions"
In reply to this we have the follow
ing letter which the people OF the
South. who have watched with 50 mucl
interest the great work for Southern
upbuilding which has been accomplish
ed during the last ten or fifteen years
by Mr. Williams, may well study Will
deep interest,"
"Seaboard Air line System, Office o
the President
"Richmond, Va, October %.
my Dear Sir: I have received you
esteemed letter OF the 18th instant
which I have read with interest.
I'm answer to your question, say t
you that l shall vote for Mr.. McKin
ley, and hope for his election, becaus
believe that Mr.. Bryan was SINGER
and truthful when he publicly and eX
plicitly declared:
4 do not want any man to vote 70
me and then object to my doing what
expect to do If you elect me; and IL
can prevent the maintenance of th
gold standard you may rely upon m
doing it the very first possible oppol
tunity l have
"He has made no announcement n
versing this declared intention, so fs
as / know, and l feel sure that
would, il elected, TRY to make goc
his solemn pledges and undertake
put the financial system Of the couI
try ON a Free Silver basis. l do n
see how he could escape attempting Il
performance of these pledges.
AS a business man having a lari
stake in the country's welfare, al
representing large investments
others, / naturally consider the pro
able composition Of Mr.. Bryan Cal
net, should he be elected. Allowil
him to be a truthful and honest ma
can see nothing but a Free Silv
secretary Of the Treasury and aCabin
built to fit
Il recognize and sympathize with t
fear OF immense accumulations of cal
tai in a few hands, but | believe III
American intellect and honesty W
find a way to avert the dangers th
threaten. Mr.. Bryan and his folio
ers seem TO me. from their utteranc
10 believe that the only way 10 oppC
these dangers is TO assail all corpo
tions and all accumulations and rep
sentatives of capital. That is the
nression thev have made on me. a
/ take myself to be an honest and We
meaning man Of average intelligen
assume that other men in the COZ
try representing investments aires
made or under consideration. and ca
tai awaiting investment understand
Bryan as I do. They are more nea