Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-11


him against the competition of William c.
Whitney, H. II. Whitney, his brother, and
other free traders and advocates of reel
procity who own coal mines in Nova SEQ
tia and New Brunswick. Every time 1t Is
proposed to reduce the duty on coal, or ne
gotiate a reciprocity treaty with our north
ern neghbors, Mr.. Davis comes rushing TO
Washington to protest in the interest or
Yves Virginia and Maryland coal. and when
ever there was any talk of passing free
ship bill Mr.. Sewall always came down from
Maine a member of a committee to pro-
test against the ruin of the American ship
yards
1t was naturally expected that Mr.. Sewall
would share his profits with the democratic
national committee when he was made
candidate for Vice President; but he could
not be convinced of any necessity or rea-
son for such thing. AT the beginning of
the campaign he sent in a check for 5000
and promised to collect fund from rich
democrats in New York and New England.
But the moneyed men of the east were SO
ratified by Bryans currency policy that
they declined to contribute, and 1t was with
the grea test difficulty that Mr.. Sewall was
induced to send a second check for 5000
to the committee.
Trying to Hold UP Mr.. English.
A former member of the democratic ma
tional committee related an exciting ad-
venture in which he PAL ticipated in 1880.
when VIM. H. English, an Indianapolis
banker of great wealth. was nominated for
Vice President with General Hancock. 1t
was agreed at the convention, before the
nomination, between VIM. II. Barnum,
then chairman of the democratic national
committee and Jos. E. Mcdonald Of In
diana that English would contribute $105-
GOO for campaign expenses. When the
campaign was organized and Mr.. English
was called upon for money, he sent check
for $1,000, and refused to give any more,
whereupon Mr. Barnum directed Nicholas
M. Bell of st. Louis to call a meeting of
the executive committee at Indianapolis for
the purpose of reaching understanding.
Eight or nine distinguished democrats re-
sponded to the call, and when Mr.. Bar
mum Joined them he asked Mr.. English to
name time and place for consultation
and requested that Mr.. Mcdonald be pres
ent
The meeting was held at the residence of
Mr.. English the same afternoon at /
O'Clock. Mr. Barnum stated the reason for
the gathering, related his recollection of
the contract made at the convention, and
at his request Senator Mcdonald and Mr.
Bell, who had been present, gave their
recollections which conceded with his in
all important particulars. Mr.. Barnum then
explained that Mr.. English had declined to
carry out his part of the agreement, and
of course, under the circumstances he could
not expect the democratic managers to
carry out theirs. 1t was, therefore, his
duty to inform Mr.. English that unless the
sum agreed upon-$1OO, 0UO-was paid over
within the next ten days, the national
committee would be called together, and
the name of Mr.. English would be re-
moved from the ticket.
Mr. English Demurred.
The latter gentleman had listened atten-
lively to everything that had been said,
but showed no concern agitation. He
seemed perfectly cool and in full possession
of all of his faculties and in response to
Mr.. Barnum expressed his regret, in a def
fr1
had been put to the trouble of coming to
indianapolis. While he did not directly re-
pudiate the agreement which Senator Nc
Donald had made, or intimate that that
gentleman had spoken without his authori-
ty. he explained that hundred thousand
dollars was an enormous amount of money,
and expressed his surprise that any one
should suppose that he was capable of rails
ing SO large a sum, much less contributing
1t for campaign expenses. He said that he
had given something to the campaign, and
intended to give more as 1t was needed, but
his affairs were in such condition that
he could not furnish any large amount
without great personal sacrifices, which he
was sure the committee would not ask
him to make. He would give as much as
he was able, with regret that he could
not give more; and hope that the national
committee would appreciate his situation
and accept the will for the deed.
When Mr. English had finished his some
what melancholy statement gentleman
from Georgia arose and asked if it were
convenient for somebody to get him
drink. Mr.. English quietly left the room
and in a moment returned with glass of
water. The gentleman from Georgia stag
gered, tasted the water, thanked Mr.. Eng
lish in most courteous manner, and re-
marked that he would return to the hotel
Immediately; whereupon the entire party
unceremoniously followed him out of the
door.
Mr. English accompanied them to the
gate, wished them a pleasant journey to
their homes and bade them goodbye. The
delegation retired to the Bates House as
rapidly as possible. During the course of
the evening, while the members of the COM
mittee were waiting for the. trains, Senator
Mcdonald brought in a check for $4,000,
which he said Mr.. English had requested
him to hand to Mr.. Barnuln; and that was
all the candidate for Vice President ever
contributed to the campaign