The News and Or~:rver
VOL. XXXIX. NO. ’2
TTIKIE [LftOSffiESTT ©DDSffiQDILAHTOKi ffiF ASTO MiMTOO ©AG&DUBM IMDUf.
CRIME OF A CENTURY
TIFG DIRECTOR’S SNAP LEASE
Ui TIIE NORTH CAROLINA
RAILROAD.
TO THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY
FORA FERIOD OF NINETY-NINE
YEARS AT ONLY SEVEN
PER CENT.
AFTEBA SESSION OF TEN HOURS
At Six and a Hall Per Cent for The
Next Six Years and at Seven Per
Cent for The Next Ninety-Three
Years Are the Terms on Which ihe
State’s Greatest Railroad Has Been
Bartered Away—Directors Spend the
Whole Dav in Considering This
Shameful Deal but The Private Cars
on the Side Track Finally V\ in.
•Special to the News and Observer.
Burlington, N. C., Aug. 16.
At six and a half per ceut for six years
from January Ist, and at seven tier cent
for ninety-three years, that’s the decree
of the B:>ard of Directors of the North
Carolina Railroad and on these terms has
the State’s greatest railroad been leased
to the Southern Railway Company. The
edict went forth at eight o’clock to night
after a session of ten hours.
Burlington had to day two heavy
showers, one of rain and one of railroad
men. The rain came in torrents, the
railroad men in private cars The rain
tried its best to dampen the ardor of the
railroad leasers, but it could not do it;
it pelted away on ’he roofs cf the private
cars and the office in which the directors
met, but neither the storm outs.de nor
the storms inside could keep then: apart
but eight houis. In the meautime Pres
ident Spencer and Vice-President An
drews, with two private cars full of law
yers, stenographers, clerks and porters
formed a very exclusive side track pri
vate car colony. Across ihe way, hi
Secretary Ruffin’s office, was gathered
together Messrs. Alexander, Overman,
Turner, Young, Morehead, Johnson,
Hoke, Allison, Maxwell, Fries dbd
Spruill, the North Carolina railroad di
rectors, except Gov. Holt, who was the
only absentee.
On the train this morning from
Greensboro were the directors living
west of Burlington and on the same
train was a News and Obbhrver, repor
ter: other directors had already arrived
and before the east bound train had
passed Haw River the directors were
in session. It was a preliminary meet
ing. After four hours session the meet
ing adjourned for dinner then oame
another preliminarv meeting to which
was invited the private stockholders
present. Mr. R. G. Erwin of Savannah,
Ga , representing the plant interest,
Hugh Mcßae, of Wilmington, and Geo.
T. Barns, of Georgia, accepted the invi
tation, as did also ,A. W. Haywood, who
was here looking after the interest of his
clients, the private stockholders in mat
ters of taxation.
After three hours’ session this meet
ing took a recess and se\erai of the di
rectors made for the telegraph ofik-3,pre
sumably to notify the folks at home that
they were unavoidably detained. I in
terrogated several of them, byt they
opened not their mouths. There was
much talking inside, so it is said, but
not a word outside. “I don’t know; I
can't tell anything yet.” Such expres
sions were written on every contenance,
accompanied by a sort of an air that
would indicate that each one had a rail
road of his own, the sale of which he
was negotiating and with which negotia
tions the public had no interest or con
cern.
Alexander and Morehead were seen to
approach one of the private c#rs. More
head went in while Alexander Stood out
in the rain, but only for a moment; then
Col. Andrews and Mr. Morehead, Mr.
Ryan, the Southern Attorney, Mr. Alex
andei and Mr. Spencer were seen wend
iug their way to the director’s room. At
seven and a half o’clock I called at the
door. On the porch stood Mr. Manning
and Judge Burwell, the directors’ attor
neys, Col. Andrews and others, shiver
ing in the night air, while a glimmer of
light shone on them from the director’s
rodm within.
‘•1 know nothing,” said one of the At
torneys in answer to a question as to how
ranch longer the meeting would last.
Even the night winds that murmured
about the quaint old office seemed anx
ious for some news to bear away to the
people, but the lattice was closed and
even the breezes were shut out.
The news tinaily came at 8 o’clock
p. m. It burst upon the crowd that sat
around the Burlington Inn and the an
nouncement that the term was ninety
nine years came like a thunderbolt. Even
some of those who were known to
strongly favor a lease looked surprised.
Mr. Maxwell was the first man I saw
after the meeting adjourned. He shot
the news at me straight from the
shoulder. There was no longer any
mum business. “We have leased the
road for ninety-nine years, beginning
next January at six and a half per cent,
for six years and seven per cent, for
ninety-three years The Southern Com
pany to pay all taxes and corporation
expenses,” said he. Mr. Overman was
next seen and confirmed the statement.
After suppei another meeting was held
to arrange details, sign contracts, etc.
I called an hour later and was invited
in and the board, as a body, confirmed
the facts already obtained.
A dividend of six and a half per cent,
will be paid by the North Carolina Rail
road Company which will subject the
stock to taxation. The Southern pays
this tax also. A large private stock in
terest was here and advised that Hie
lease be made. The Southern surrenders
its right to remove bet erments when
the lease terminates by surrender or ex
piration.
From the best information obtainable
every member of the board came here
favoring the re leasing of the road. This
the Southern people doubtless knew for
it had been published in tho News and
Observer It is known that a few mem
bers were opposed to the ninety-nine
year clause and two at least voted
against it. These two are uuderstodd to
be Overman and Spruill.
It seems that the Southern people made
this proposition as their ultimatum, and
they doubtless knew that the board, al
most without exception, favored the lep.se;
that his Excellency- Governor Carr fa
vored ir, and that the pr vate stockhold
ers, in order to be assured of their divi
dends and release from taxation, fa
vored it. A'd they had to do was to
watch and wait. They watched, they
waited and they won.
F. B. Arendell.
THE LAST LINK IN TIIE CHAIN.
Mrs. Leake Says She Saiv Durrant and
His Victim Enter the Church.
San Francisco, Cal., Aug. 16. A
local paper says the last link in the chain
of evidence against Theodore Durrant
has been discovered.
A woman who lives across the street
from Emanuel church,has reported to the
police that she saw Durrant and Blanche
Lamont enter the church at 4:10 p. m.,
on April 3rd, the day of Miss
Lamont’s disappearance. The woman’s
name is Mrs Lease and she lives
at 124 Bartlett street. She is fifty
years of age and has been a member of
the church a number of years. She knew
Durrant and Miss Lamont intimately,
and therefore, cannot be mistaken with
regard to the identity of either.
She says she has remained silent since
the discovery of the bodies of the two
girls, because she did not wish to un
dergo the annoyance of being a witness
in the case, and did not consent to di
vulge her information to T he police until
f*ie became convinced that it was adn’y
she owed to the State.
REVOLUTION IN ECUADOR.
Washington Officials Think it will be
a Serious Affair.
Washington, D. C., Aug. 16.—The
impression-prevails in both the State at.d
Navy Departments that the revolution
in Ecuador will be quite a serious affair
before the internal troubles there are
settled.
No advices have been received eon
oeruing recent engagements. The State
Department has received from Minister
Tfilman at Quito, a dispatch dated July
20th, whico shows what the situation
vva3atthat time. In it Minister Tillman
says that there are no indications of an
early settlement of thecompl cated polit
ical conditions of that country.
Mr. Tillman adds that the strangest
feature of the revolution is that, with
the exception of a few officers or leaders,
the armies are composed of the poorest
of the population; that well dressed men
take their daily walks and throng the
plazas unmolested and wholly disinter
ested as to the result.
ANOTHER GOLD SHIPMENT.
But it Was Small and Treasury Officials
Think the W orst is Over.
Washington, D. C., Aug. 16. - Late
this afternoou the Treasury officials were
advised from New York that SBOO,OOO in
gold had been withdrawn for export
which leaves the gold reserve at the close
of business to day $ 102,151,968. The
Treasury offi rials were agreeably sur
prised at the smallness of to day’s with
drawals, and this,added to the reduction
of foieign ext hinge and the r ported
abundance of foreign bills now on the
market, gives a fcopela! aspect to the
situation.
Indeed, the opinion is freely expressed
that the worst is over and that there
will {be few, if any more heavy ship
ments during the remainder of the sea
son.
PLEDGED TO BLACKBURN.
ihe Kentucky Senator Thinks that
His Re-election is Now Certain.
Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 16.—The le
turns to-day show that Senator Black
burn has enough pledges to secure his
re election provided the counties and
districts, heretofore carried by the Dem
crats, give their usual results Many of
those pledged to Blackburn are opposed
to his silver views, and his opponents
claim that a majority of the Democratic
nominees for the legislature are sound
money men, and when the time comes
for the election of a Senator, Senator
Blackburn may find the situation
changed.
Another Kentucky Feud.
Ml DOLES BORODGH, Ky., Aug. 16. —ln
a bloody battle on Strait Greek, near the
Harlan county line, over the possession
of a tract of laud, Wiley Black was shot
through the neck, and Will Davis, John
Hilton and Charles Dalton were shot in
the arm. Skirmishes have been fre
-ouently made between the factions for
the past three weeks, but yesterday was
the first pitched battle. Another is likely
to occur at any hour.
RALEIGH, N. C., SATURDAY. AUGUST 17. 1895.
A RIOTER CONVICTED
ONE OF THE LEADERS OF TIIE
WINSTON MOB HAS BEEN
FOUND GUILTY.
FORTY OTHERS ARE ON TRIAL.
They are Arraigned Under Two Bills
of Indictment*-A Special Messen
ger Sent to Secure a Commission
from the Governor to Continue Court
il Neeessary to Complete the Trial—
The Gatling Gun Sent Back to Char
lott—Cunuingham Gets 20 Yemrs.
Special feo tlie News and Observer.
Winston, N. 0., Aug. 16.
Forty negroes who participated in
Sunday’s rtot ware arraigned for trial
this afternoon. They are being tried
under two bills of indictment, for carry
ing concealed weapons and for taking
part iu an unlawful assembly.
A negro named Micajah Watts, one of
the leaders of the mob, was tried this af
ternoon for carrying concealed weapons.
The jury, after being out fifteen minutes,
returned a verdict of guilty. Then the
question of proceeding with tho case
against the rioters was taken up and con
sidered.
Tiia term of court ends to morrow
night and it was thought by a majority
of the attorneys it would be impossible
to get through by that time. Here was
a dilemma. Finally it was concluded
to go on with the cases, with the under -
standing that lawyer G. B. Watson
would go as a special messenger to Gov
ernor Carr to secure a commission to
continue court on Monday, if necessary.
The Gatling gun which was brought
here from Charlotte to prevent a continu
ance of Sunday night’s riot was returned
home to day on the same train with Ar
thur Tuttle, who was carried to the peni
tentiary and whom the negroes thought
the whites were going to lynch.
Bud Cunningham gets twenty years at
hard labor in the penitentiary for killing
his sweetheart, I.enora Hailey, last May.
Sentence was passed this afternoon. The
jury returned their verdict this morning
of murder in the second degree.
The Chamber of Commerce hare last
night unanimously adopted a resolution
calling upon the citizens of Winston Sa
lem not to make contracts with the Beil
Telephone Company until the new com
pany, the Inter state, completed its
plant, and its phones had been fully tes
ted, stating that the Bell Company would
not give reduced rates until forced to do
so by the Inter-State.
Oscar Pratt, aged fifteen years, was
kicked by a horse near Winston to-day
and mortally wounded. His skull is
crushed.
CHURCH WEDDING AT MADISON.
The Marriage ol Mr. T. J. Teague and
Miss 8a I lie M. McGehee.
Special to the News and Observer.
Madison, N. C., Aug. 16.
A beautiful marriage was solemnized
in the Methodist Church, Wednesday
evening, Mr. T. J. Teague and Miss SaJ
lie M. McGehee being the contracting
parties. The church was tastefully
decorated, and precisely at the appointed
time, 9 o’clock, Mendelssohn’s wedding
march began, with Miss Lanier at the
organ. Masters Troy and Jimmie Apple
opened the flower gates, and the ushers,
Mr. Jesse Carter and Dr. Will McAnally,
came up the isles. These were followed
by two flower gills dressed in beautiful
white, Neta Anderson and Stella Apple.
Then came the bridal party in the fol
lowing order : B. F. McGehee and Miss
Lillian Lipscomb, E. L. Aude*son and
Miss Eula Hudson, A G. Carter and
Miss Mamie McGehee, J. H. Hill and
Miss Della Wall, W. H. McGehee and
Miss Bailie F. McGehee.
The groom, Mr. T. J. Teague, came up
one isle on the arm of his best man, Mr.
O. F. Rankin. Up the other rsle came
the maid-of honor, Miss Ceta McGehoe,
followed at some distance by the bride.
When in front of the chanoel tlie groom
turned and met bis to-be bride aJ the
flower gate, and they, standing in front
of the chancel, under beautiful decora
tions, were made one by a sol' mn and
impressive ceremony performed by the
pastor of the church, Rev. C. F.
Sherrill.
An elegant supper was served at the
home of the bride, after which many
choice presents were exhibited. Mr.
Teague is the agent on the N. and W.
road at Madison, and Miss Bailie Mie-
Gehee is one of the flowers of our town.
The happy couple left on the uoun train
next day to be gone some time.
ROLLER FLOUR MILLS BURNED.
The Total Los* is Some $7,000 With
uo Insurance.
Special to tlie News and Observer.
Elkin, N. C., Aug. 16.
The Roller Flour Mills of Perkins
Bros., at Helton, Ashe county, were to
tally destroyed by fire Tuesday. The loss
is $7,000 with no insurance. It is not
known how the fire originated. Their
Woolen Mills at the same place were do
stroyed by fire about a year *go.
At Roaring Gap Hotel the climate is
delightful. The guests of this larnous
resort are enjoying a noonday tempera
ture of not over 78 degrees and the
nights and mornings are so cool as to
make a fire feel very pleasant. A splen
did party of elegant people are there now,
a number of them being from Raleigh.
Prof. L. C. Brogden, of Goldsboro, has
been elected principal of Sparta, Alle
ghany county, Academy, and pas-ed
through here yesterday en route for that
point.
OUTLOOK FOR TRADE
REVIEW OF rtlE SPECULATIVE
AVI) STAPLE MARKETS FOR
THE WEEK.
THE BOOJVI IN IRON CONTINDES.
But With This Exception the Mkl-
Summor Decline of July Continues
Into August and is Rather More Con
spicuous Than Usual*-But the Gross
aril Net Earnings ol the Railroads
Show Satisfactory Gains and the Out
look is for an Active Fall Trade.
New York, Aug. 16.—K. G. Dun &
Co., will say in their review of trade: It
is a belated season; a frozen May set
everything back. The heavy business
which ought to have been done in May
and June was pushed into July, so that
the mid summer decline iu July comes in
August. With this in mind, one is not
surprised to find the shrinkage from
July to August rather more conspicuous
than usual.
The disappointing crop reports of last
Saturday, though evidently distrusted,
lessen confidence in ’egard to the future
of trade, even while some speculators
gain by them.
Back of all doubts is the fact that the
Industrials are doing better than any
body could have expected. The output
of pig iron August Ist., was 180,525 tons
weekly, os. 76,505 tons by another report.
In either case it is greater than the larg
est oatput of 1894, though surpassed
15,000 tons in the spring of 1893
The sales of sfoel rails in 1895 to Au
gust Ist., were 82£>,000 tons, and the de
liveries 582,000. Wages in this industry
have been generally advanoed and strikes
few. Other metals change little though.
The textile imports have been heavy,
and advances in cotton goods to some
extent check buying, while Fall River
spinners are organizing for restoration
of wages paid before the panic.
Crop reports modified expectations as
to cotton and wheat, and cotton specu
lators have bought, lifting the price
fiverixteenths, while wheat, with more
evidence of loss ia yieid, has declined
17 8 cents.
A third of the year's eouwumption of
American cotton is yet on hand, but not
a third of the year’s eotisumption of
wheat. Receipts for the week were bet
ter, but not half last year’s, and in three
weeks 6,598,531 bushels against 17,211,-
383 bushels last year. Afentic exports
for the week have been 889,301 bushels
gainst 2,749,630 1&* year, flSur in
cluded, and for three weeks 2.352,880
busfhels against 8,242,686 lasi year.
The official reports for July show
exports of 8,611,028 bushels, flour in
cluded, agaiust 10,600,147 last year, but
the Pacific exports increased five fold at
an average of s?c. per bushel, while At
lantic exports at 72c. per bushel were
but 6,022 820 bushels floor included
against 10,265,559 last yeas. Corn de
clined 58a with favorable news and
Pork fell 25c. per barrel and lard 18c.
Failures for the week have been 196 in
the United States against 229 last year,
and 38 in Canada against 45 last year.
Bradstreet’s Review.
New York, Aug. 16. Bradstneet’s to
morrow will say:
Mid-summer quiet is more oonfepknous
than a week ago, though less so in indus
trial than in commercial lines. As a
rule, leading manufacturing industries
are exceptionally busy for the season,
and it is worth adding that the increase
in output of demand and prices for iron
and steel still continues. Gross and net
railroad earnings, returns for the first
half of the present year, show very satis
factory aggregate gains over lAst year, a
period of great coal and railroad strikes
amd financial aud industrial depression
and derangement. The best sbovoiugs in
net earnings are made by the Central,
Western, Eastern and Southwestern
roads, while the only decreases noted are
in the Granger and Southern roads. Job
bers in the more itnportant staplo lines
at Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City,
Omaha, Milwaukee, Mtaneapoiis and St.
Paul, report an improved demand. The
outlook at present is for an active fall
business.
PROF. CURRELL HONORED.
Elected to the Chair ol Modern Lim
guages at W Hsiifogtsun auri Lee.
Lexington, Va., Aug. 16.—Prof. Will
iam Spencer Curtail, now professor of
English at Davidson College, North Car
olina, has been elected to fill the chair
of Modern Languages and English in
Washington and University, Md.,
vacant by the resignation of Professor
James Albert Harrison, who has filled
that chafr since 1#76, and who now goes
to the University of Virginia.
Prof. Currell is a graduate of Wash
ington and Lee University, a literary
writer of reputation rtnd has a reputa
tion as a lecturer on educational and
literary themes. He conducted the clas
ses in English languages and literature
at the Pictknont Chatauqua at Atlanta,
Ga., in 1889 90.
Murdered lor His Pension Money.
Arrevirle, Ga., Aug. 16.—Dock
Wade, an aged and industrious Confede
rate veteran, was brutally murdered at
the house of Samuel Wallace, on the out
skirts of Abbeville, early this morning.
Mrs. Samuel Wallaco, and brother
Rush, a half witted boy, are now in jail,
the former being strongly suspected of
the crime. Wado was a pensioner and it is
thought he was murdered for his pension
money, having recently received it.
COMMITTEE NOT COMPLETE.
Only the Rest Men Will Be Selected in
the Various States.
Washington, I). C.. Aug. 16.—The
Executive Commission appointed by the
Democratic Silver Conference to affect a
permanent organization, met at tho
Metropolitan Hotel to day and decided
not to attempt to complete the National
Committee for the present. The post
ponement was rendeied necessary by
the fact that the committee had re
ceived the names of proper men for the
national organization from only the
States represented at tho conference.
They consider it desirable that the best,
men should be had in selecting the com
mittee. And after distributing the work
of obtaining the necessary information
among the members of the Executive
Committee, adjourned subject to the
call of the chairman. Col. Young said
to-day that it was the p impose of the
Executive Committee to complete tho
National organization as soon as practi
cable.
It is probable that the meeting of the
announcement of this committee will be
held in some western city and St. Louis
has been suggested im the place most oon
veniently located. It is also expected
that permanent headquarters will be
chosen at this meeting. There is some
division of opinion as to where the head
quarter should be. Some of the mem
bers of the committee advocate locating
at Washington, while others are of the
opinion that a western city would be
perferable. A large majority of the de
legates to the conference have left for
their homes.
HE DIDN’T KNOW HIS MAN,
Gov. Holaomb Will Have No Hand
in Breaking the Solid South.
Lincoln, Neb., Aug. 16.—Congress
man Hunter, of Bowling Green, Ky.,
recently addressed a letter to Gov. Hol
comb, in which he requested the Gov
ernor to assist in raising a sand in Ne
braska, “to aid in tire election of a Re
publican Governor in Kentucky, and
thus break the Solid South.”
Gov. Holconfo, who is a Populist, re
plied that it would please him very much
to witness a breaking up of the Solid
South, but that he would regret to see
the people of Dixie throw off the yoke of
Cleveland Democracy only to assume the
bonds of sueh an organization as the Re
publican party. The governor adds:
“Yonr letter was doubtless addressed
to me becanse tlhe news of the partial re
demption of Nebraska from Hepublican
misrule teal not yet reaped the head
(fuartgrs of *he Republican executive
connu?Uee of Kentucky, therefore I re
turn the communication as you would
doubtless irot desire to have it given pub
licity. ”
BASEBALL YESTERDAY.
At FhilatUjlnlifai r. h. k.
Philadelphia, 105210000—9 10 0
Host-on, 00400002 1— 7Hi 4
Batteries: Carsey atul Grady; Nichols and
Teniur,
At Washington: b. h. k,
Washington, 00000043 1— * 811 1
Baltimore, 2 8 0 0 0 0 0 2 *—l2 10 2
Batteries: Mot we r and McGuire: Hemming
and Clarke.
At Cleveland: r. h. b.
Cleveland. 1 0 2 10 0 0 1 *— 5 10 3
Cincinnati, O 0 oiool 0 0— 2 5 2
Batteries: QUppy and Zimmer; Foreman
and Vaughn.
At Brooklyn (fli»t game): r. h, e.
Brooklyn, 010110100-4 10 3
New York, 0001 O 100 4 0 5 3
Batteries: Stdiu and Grim; Clin k and Wil
son.
At Brooklyn (second game) ». h. e.
Brooklyn, 2 4 00 3 1 *—lo 10 1
New York. 0 00 0 0 0 1— 1 0 3
Batteries: Kennedy and Dailey; German
and 'Wilson.
At Chicago: R. h. k.
Chicago, 0 0 0010100— 2 9 5
Pittsburg, 2 00*00100—5 11 1
Batteries: Terry and Donohue; Hewitt and
Merritt.
At St. Louis: b. h. a.
St. Louis* 1 05000 *o* 8 11 1
Louisville, 00 0 2 1 0 1 0 1— » 13 1
Batteries: lirc*stsist»#n and Miller; Inks
and Warmer.
How the Clubs Stand.
olybs. Won. Lost. PrOt.
Cleveland, 61 38 616
Baltimore, 56 35 615
Pittsburg, 57 38 600
Cincinnati, 52 40 565
Chicago, 54 44 551
Boston, 50 41 549
Philadelphia, 50 41 549
Brooklyn, 48 44 522
New York, 47 45 511
Washing*®, 3,1 55 360
St. Louis, 30 66 313
Louisville, 22 67 247
Tammany’s New Leader.
Nkv7 York, Aug. 16.—The statement
is printed hero that the ex Police Com
missioner James J. Martin, has assumed
the leadership of Tammany Hall, and
that the friends of Richard Croker have
sent him cablegrams urging his imme
diate return.
SpKftng Valley Rioters Indicted.
Princeton, 111., Aug. 16.—Warrants
have been taken out here for 38 Spring
Valley men who are charged with being
a party who assaulted the colored min
ers. Sheriff Clark, with ten deputies,
has gone to arrest the men.
Will Succeed Dr. Minor.
Washington, I). 0., Aug. 16. -Hon.
W. D. Dabney, Solicitor of the State De
partment, will resign during September,
to acaept the position of Professor of
Law at the University of Virginia. His
present office pays $3,500 a year.
Hanged lor Killing a Policeman.
Mount Sterling, Ky., Aug. 16.—John
Johnson, colored, was hanged to-day for
killing Policeman Charles Evans, June
15th. Nearly ten thousand people wit
nessed the hanging.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
IT WAS A SUCCESS
THE RESULT OF TIIE SILVER
CONFERENCE WILL ADVANCE
THE CAUSE.
FAITH IN SILVER WAIVERS NOT.
The Reasons Why uo Silver Democrat
Should Leave Ilis Party in Order to
Secure the Free Coinage ol Silver—
The Populists are in Favor of Flat
Money and Other Balloon Schemes
More 'Than Salver—National Com
mitter Has Not Vet Been Appointed.
(Editorial Correspondence.)
Washington, D. 0., Aug. 16, 1895.
The conference of silver advocates ad
journed to day. It was a success. It is
to be regretted that all the States were
not represented, but, considering tho
intense heat, it is a test of tho popu
larity of the white metal that so many
influential men were here. There were
about 150 present, representing 22 Slates,
and they were from all walks of life from
United Stales Senator down. There
were a few among the number who
thought bitter denunciation and abuse
was in order, but most of the delegates
were responsive to the wise and tem
perate speech of Hon. J. A. Lockhart,
who, following a red hot speaker from
the West, counselled moderation, con
servatism and reason. He told the dele
gates that the Democratic party had need
of all its members, and that all talk of
proscription, proceeding from whatever
source, wap hurtful and harmful. Con
gressman Jones, of Virginia, said he was
a Democrat before he was a silver man,
and he attended the conference because
he despaired of any silver legislation
through any other channel. He thought,
that while expressing earnest protest to
the financial policy of the administra
tion, no occasion for denuncia
tion or any wholesale attack upon Dem
ocratic leaders. In the same vein spoke
Congressman Neill, of Arkansas, who
saw much lo commend in the Democrats
administration, and everything to con
demn in its financial policy. Such was
Hie temper and spirit of Senators liar
rise, Jones, Daniel, Call. ex-Senator Jao
vis, Governor Stone, and the other guid
ing and master spirit* of the body.
This was atrietly a Democratic meet
ing. Nobody else was present and the
views of no other silver men were sonfehl.
There had been a non-partisan silver
convention. It devdtoped an attempt qn
the part of the Populist party to pose
the only friend of silver. Mr. Lockhart
pointed out in his sensible speech to day
that free sliver composed no material
part of the Populist scheme of finance.
They were merely talking it because it
was popular just now. and they though!
it would bricgUiem recruits. He showed
by reference mrheir platforms and the
bills introduced by their leaders iu Con
gress, that it was not free silver, but fiat
money that conJposed the Popu
list plan of changing the mon
ey pofiwy of government. He
urged that it was Hie prime duty of
Democrats to expose the follies of Popu
lism and the evils of Gold bugs, extend
ing on the one hand to anarchy, and to
the further unjust enrichment of the
money lender on the other. He spoke
of the honesty of some Populisms, but
emphasized their pretence in clamoring
for free silver when cs a matter of fact
it is fiat money they want. They ought
to be honest about it and not evade tho
advocacy of the chimerical schemes
which eompose the major part of their
platform.
He is a very foolish man who vjill
venture to prejudge this movement,
and a very vain man who will undertake
to predict the future of the silver move
ment. One thing is clear: that the only
hupo for it is in the success of the plan
put on foot in ahis conference. It may
be that the money power can compass
the permanent demonetization of silver,
but the only silver lining.to the cloud is m
writing the platform of the next
National Democratic Convention.
I found two or three men here who
think that the only hope for
free silver is in going into a
new party, but if this were tiue, where
is the new party they could join that
would afford them half as many freo
coinage associates as the Democratic
party ? The Populists left tho Demo
cratic party, they said, because they
couldn't get the Sub-Treasury through
that party. Since then they have
been dumb on the Sub-Treasury. * They
have uo votes, to speak of, having lost
nearly all they had iu the West through
their anarchistic teachings. Can
a silver man hope to advance bi-metallism
in a party that believes that paper money
in unlimited quantities is as good as gold
and silver, and that, in the West, regards
all interest and reutsas robbery ? and is un
willing to unite upon any basis that does
not embrace the moonshine of the Ocala,
St. Louis and Omaha platforms ?
Honest silver men favor free coin
age because they believe it is
sound money and that its de
monetization has brought loss to all
wage-earners, farmers and laud owners.
They believe that with free coinage, the
appreciating gold will decline and the
depreciated silver will rise till they meet
each other, and make as near a perfect
bi-metallic standard as can be reached.
They believe in hard money, and are more
opposed to an irredeemable paper cur
rency than even the gold men. The Green
backers are nearly all against the silver
[continued on fourth page J