The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-29
O. H. P. BELMONT HOME
NOT POLITICALLY CURED BY HIS
VOYAGE TO EUROPE.
Returns as Rabid Democrat as Ever,
and Gives His Views on the
Political Situation.

NEW YORK, April so. Fl. p. Bel
mont returned on the Lucania to-day from
an eight weeks tour in Europe. He said
to a reporter: 81 was astounded to hear of
Admiral Dewey's candidacy. 1 do not
think from any standpoint of politics that
the admiraPs bid for the presidency is i'm
portant. 1 am exceedingly sorry that he
should have been led into so unfortunate
a situation.
4 LAS a matter of fact. think the nominal
tions are already made. The respective
tickets this year will be headed by the
same men as in 1S96-McKinley and Bryan.
1t is my candid opinion that should Ad-
miral Dewey run an independent can
didate ne will draw more votes from Nc
Finley than from Bryan. AS between Bry-
an and Dewey no true Democrat would
vote for Dewey. for it is well known that
Dewey is a Republican at heart
Much has been said in my absence con-.
cerning the relegation of silver to a minor
position in the campaign. 1 do not regard
finance as an issue in the presidential
struggle Of this year; it is purely aca-
demic The matter has been practically
shelved by the action Of the present Con-
gress.
ST do not think public interest centers in
the financial questions. 1t rests rather on
imperialism and the trusts. 1t is upon this
line that the campaign of 1900 will be
fought. / am very strongly of the opinion
that the attitude, of the administration to-
ward Porto Rico will prove injurious to the
Republican party as well as to Porto Rico.
So also the war in the Philippines is de
faI arlxa
to sell such products as Armour beef. Car
negie steel, ammunition, etc, and the man
ufacturers of other Republican pets to the
extent of s2O0.0OO.ooO a year. These are the
people who furnish guns. ammunition.
clothes. beef and so forth. and it is for
their benefit that the Republicans are
spending $500 900 per annum.
This brings US to the tariff. A tariff for
revenue only yields something like $780,
1000 a year. Taxation has been so in
creased that 1t yields revenue of more
than $500. 900 year. In order to offset
the difference between $780, 100000 and $780,.
100000 year the Republican party INDUCES
in unnecessary wars in Asia in order that
$500, 600 year may be raised by taxa
tion and distributed among the faithful
workers manufacturers and supporters Of
the Republican party.
'I consider the battle ground of the cam
paign of this year to be centered in the
States of Indiana. Illinois. Ohio and New
York. 1 believe Bryan will cary these
States and be triumphantly elected. 1 re-
gard Kentucky and Maryland as politically
safe for the Democracy"
Asked as to the Boer war. Mr.. Belmont
replied that the sympathy of continental
Europe was entirely on the side of the
Beers. II do not think, however" said Mr..
Belmont. "that this is matter on which
the conventions of either party should say
anything"
Mr.. Belmont said he would attend the
Kansas City convention and that there was
no truth in the rumors that he contem-
plated purchasing a Philadelphia news
paper. He did not see Mr. Croker while
abroad.