Evening Star Newspaper, March 21, 1896, Page 21

21 — Siver Men Seem Sure of a Majority, But Not of Two-Thirds of the fo the National Convention, Delegate Forecast as Made by Democratic Members of Congress---Canvass of the States and Views of Distinguished Leaders. A canvess made by Star reporters through the congressional delegations in- @icates that the silver men are apt to have @ majority of the delegates to the demo- cratic national convention. It takes two- ‘thirds to nominate, but a majority adopts the platform. There are expected to be 880 delegates, including six from each ter- ritory and the District of Columbia. The choice of candidates does not yet enter much into the discussion of the nationa! gonvention. This choice depends so mucl ‘upon the policy adopted by the party thai {t seems useless to discuss candidates unti. {ft is determined which faction of the party 4s going to control the convention. ‘The first question is, What are demo- cratic principles? A large element, com- Besed chiefly of the old-fashioned demo- rats and those holding to old-fashioned theories, insist that bimetallism in the true sense of the word; that is, silver and gold on equai footing as standard money, is one of the articles of democratic faith. An- other element, of which Mr. Cleveland is the recognized leader, hold to a gold stand- a@rd of value and the use of silver only in @ subordinate capacity, if at all, measured fm its value by gold. Which of these ele- ments represents the party is to be deter- mined. Candidates are spoken of in a tentative ‘ay, but there is not even a boom start- €4 yet for any of them. Though most peo- ple have come to the conclusion that Mr. Cleveland himself will not again be a can- @idate, the opinion is held by men eminent in the party and of the widest political ex- Secretary Carlisle. Perience that he desires the nomination if he can get matters adjusted in advance to sult him. He cannot, therefore, be left cut of the reckoning in counting over the candidates. That he may decline even- tually is not improbable, but it is quite likely that he would be glad to see a sit- uation develop which would lead to his nomination with a fair prospect of success. The prospect of such a development is obscure. A declination on his part would be regarded by many as an indication that the prize he pushed away was already lost to him. jorri @iana are generally regarded as the candi- dates most worth considering at this time. Carlisle's candidacy excites no more than a | Passing comment. Whitney might be taken into account as a candidate if the xcld men had control of the convention and he would | corsent to rum. The obstecle of his disin- ¢lination might be overcome, but a pre- Fequisite to his candidacy would be the de- feat of the silver men in convention. Olney might beccme a candidate under the same circumstances, and he would probably be more acceptable to many democrats, on ac- count of his record in the State Depart- ment, which would be expected to count for something In the campaign. The interview of ex-Gov. Campbell of Ohio, in which he declared that under no circumstances would he be a candidate, has come as near as anything to giving him a boom among the strong party men. That Vice President Stevenson may become a candidate is probable, and there are condi- tions under which he would be a strong nominee. But the whole bunch of candidates on one side or on the other of the financial ques- tion will be knocked out of consideration | accordingly as one side or the other con- trols the convention. One set is bound to be eliminated at the start. The develop- ments attending the organization of the convention may put an entirely different phase on the matter, and it might even happen that they would go into the south for a candidate, a thing not now contem- plated. The only thing presented for considera- tion at this time is whether the silver men or the gold men will control the convention. A Gold Estimate. A distinguished gold standard democrat furnishes the following estimate of the del- egate €o - Connecticut. rr 20 South Carolina. South Dakota. A careful canyass of the situation in all the states In tte Union, through inter- views with democrats from all sections, some on each nlde of the contention, indi- cates a different result. The chances seem to be that the silver men will have a fair- ly strong majority in the democratic con- vention, though there appears no prospect of their having two-thirds. Even some rad- ical golé men admit that there Is great danger that silver sentiment will predom- Maie, and conservative gold men would hardly count on some of the delegations given in the above table. It is reasonable to take out of this col- sou of Tilinois and Matthews of In-} indications are that the silver men have the best prospects for all these 274 except in Iowa, Ohio, Nebraska and Indiana. In the last three the chances are regarded as about even. A Silver Estimate. A silver estimate not more sanguine than the gold estimate above would claim: Alabama. 16) Wyoming. Louisiana. + 14) Arizona. eoccaanwrtatiarads Michigan. + 28 New Mexico Mississippi + 18, Oklahoma Missourl....esee.c002 84 Alaska, . Montam1 seeceee 6 Indian Terrliory....22 Nevada + (6 District of Columbi North 2 22 oe North Dakota Sac Re eee Most of the delegates are counted solidly one way or the other, because it Is expect- ed that nearly every state convention will give instructions. It is held by the demo- crats to be competent for the state con- vention to instruct all the delegates of the state, though they have been elected by districts. Under the present ctrcumstances it fs believed that the delegations of nearly every state will be instructed for or against silver, and in that event the majority casts the entire vote of the state. In Ohio and West Virginia this will probably not be done. In the latter state the silver men will probably gain three by the absence of the unit rule. In Ohio it is uncertain which Willizm C. Whitney. will be the gainer, for it is extremely doubtful which faction will have the ma- jority. In the above estimate of 549 delegates for silver, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio (136 votes) are the states that may fairly be said to be in doubt, and the bur- den of available information, even from ‘sound money” sources, {s that Illinois and | Mich same way, and that the Ohio delegation | beg divided the silver men are conceded at least a third of the delegates. In lowa, which is not included in this list, the situation is extremely uncertain. Gov. Boies may be a candidate for the pr ney, and if he is it is thought he | can easily bring a silver delegation to the | convention. Republicans from the state | think that it will be for “sound money.” The Two-Thirds Rule. With the prospect that neither side will have two-thirds of the delegates, it is ex- pectel that the two-thirds rule will be abandoned. If Morrison were the leading candidate, a silver platform having been adopted by the majority, he might get votes frem both sides as a compromise. The history of the two-thirds rule dates back to the first convention ever held by the democratic party. Up to that time the candidates of the varicus parties had been put out in different ways. The first politi- cal convention in the history of the coun- try was that of the anti-Masonic party, which brought Seward and Fillmore into | political life. The anti-Masonic party origi- nated in western New York over the al- leged disappearance of William Morgan, a Mason who had written a book which claimed to expose the workings of the first three degrees of Masonry. The party came to lif. in 1826 and won some fights in local elections in the state of its birth. It then called for a national convention to be held at Baltimore in September, 1831. This con- vention was followed by the republican convention, held in Baltimore in December, 1s81, at which Clay and John Sargent were nominated. The first democratic convention was call- ‘© meet in Baltimore on the 21st of May, 1 Jackson had previously been put out as the democratic nominee by the New York legislature, but New Hampshire, which is the originator of national con- ventions, called for the convention which was held. It was for the purpose of nomi- nating a candidate for Vice President, Cal- houn having quarreled with Jackson. The presiding officer of this first demo- cratic conventicn G Robert Lucas of Ohio, and the resolution requiring a two- thirds vote to nominate was introduced by Delegate Saunders of North Carolina. The object of the resolution was to give the southern men something of a veto power in the future conventions. ‘The rule, as adopted by the convention, and which has stood, in part, to this day, was as follows: “Resolved, That each state be entitled, in the nomination to be made of a candidate for the vice presidency, to a number of votes equal to the number that they will be entitled to in the electoral colleges under the new apportionment in voting for Pres- ident and Vice President, and that two- thirds of the whole number of votes in the | convention shall be necessary to consti- tute a choice.”” At the democratic convention at Balti- more in May, 1844, when Polk was nomi- nated, a strong effort was made to kill the rule, but by a vote of 148 to 118 it was allowed to stand. ‘That was the origin of a rule which some historians claim has killed off many of the best men the party ever had. Following the adoption of the rule the next democratic convention was held in Baltimore in 1835, and there the first candi- date for President was nominated. Van Euren was the nominee and twenty-two ‘states were represented. After that con- ventions were considered regular institu- tions. It was not until 1852 that the rule allow- ing twice the number of delegates in the electoral college was adopted. That rule did not apply until the Cincinnati conven- tion in 1856. Van Buren was the first victim of the two-thirds rule. In the convention of 1844, when Polk was nominated, Van Buren had @ majority on the first ballot, but could not secure the necessary two-thirds. Polk, who had not been talked of, was pushed for- ward and secured the nomination on the tenth ballot. The West. There is some difliculty in getting re- Hable information from sections of the west because of the absence of democrats in_ Congress. f * Representative Maguire of California is ‘gan are pretty certain to instruct for | silver; that in Indiana the tendency is the} the only democrat in the House from what is known as the far west. Speaking for that section to a Star re- porter, Mr. Maguire said: “I think all of the western states will send silver dele- gations to the national convention.” “Do you include Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa in that estimate?” “Oh, yes, they are for silver.” Mr. Maguire sald he thought the fac- tions would he close at Chicago, but, be- Meved the silver men would win. “If we can get a silver platform,” said Mr. Ma- guire In answer to a question as to thc presidential chcice of the west, “we will be satistied with any good democrat wh? will agree to carry it out, unless {t should be a man whose past record would give rise to fear that he would be swayed by other influenc When asked if he thought ther2 would be a bolt at Chicago, Mr. Maguire answer- ed: “If a plank {s adopted absolutely re pudiating the demands of the free silver men, I would not be surprised to see a bolt.” Senator Roach cf South Dakota says that he thinks every one of the states west of the Missouri river will send silv gations to the convention. He cannot think of any probable exception. The Dakotas-are sure to send silver delo- gations, In his judgment. The solid west, which, it is claimed, will be for silver at Chicago, has the follow- ing vote in the convention: California. 18 North Dakota 6 Covorade. 8 Oregon 8 Idaho & To 6 Kznsis, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada. Secretary One: the territories of Arizona, Oklahoma, making th Mr. Maguire also w Mexico and total 1¢ stimated that every state west of the Mississipp| would elect silver delegates, but as Texas and Missourt #re put down as belonging to the south, they are not counted. Minnesota is also not counted. A stubborn fight is being made in Ne- traska and Kansas. In both these states it is agrced that the sentiment is strongly in favor of silver. Senator Peffer says he thinks the silver'men are nine to one gold man among the democrats in Kansas, but they are rot organized, and the administra- tion people are trying to take advantage of that fact. Probably of all that section of the coun- try there is more uncertainty about Ne- braska. Secretary Morton is putting forth his efforts there in favor of the administ tion, but the general opinion among dem- ocrats in Congress is that the silver men have the best of it. Wisconsin. Senator Vilas says that Wisconsin will send a solid * delegation to the convention. He does not think there is rocm for a doubt as to that. He does not speak with such certainty as to other of the western states, Without pretending to be able to speak authorita- tively, he entertains the hope that ‘sound money” has a little the besi of it in Illi- nois, Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan. He thinks likeiy nat in Minne there is more reason for there is hope for both inois and Michi- gan, according to the very general infor- mation on the subject. Missourt. The only question in Missouri, according to the men from that state with whom The Star reporters have talked, is whether the delegation is to be instructed throughout or not. There will undoubtedly be a few gold delegates elected—from two to four. It Mes with the state convention to coniirm these selections or to select others in their places. They may be confirmed and in- structed to vote for silver, but there is a Proposition to go further and select men in harmony with the majority. No doubt is expressed that the solid vote will be cast for silver under instructions. “I take it for granted,” said Senator Vest, “that my state will be solid for free coinage of silver and gold at 16 to 1, and that the delegates will be so instructed.” The Senator sald that up to a short time ago he had not hoped that the silver men Wouid control the national convention, but he believed the chances now for them do- ing so were good. Michigan. The influence of Don M. Dickinson is said to be the only thing the silver democrats fear in Michigan. Dickinson's influence is confessed to be great, and it is said that if he were to make an active, determined fight for gold the outcome would be doubt- ful. It is reported that he has announced Fis intention to keep his hands off, and if he dces the chances are that a silver dele- gation will be elected to the national con- vention. The contest ts being pressed with great vigor. The silver democrats have formed a state committce for the purposes of this campaign. Editor Hampton is chair- man, and among the members are ex-Rep- resentative Fisher, the last democratic can- didate for governor of the state; Mr. Burt, the candidate for governor in ‘84, and ex: Representatives Whiting and Yaple. Ohio. While the best politicians admit that at least one-third of the Ohio delegation will be for silver, it is not probable that the silver men will be able to capture the en- tire delegation. Senator Brice will prob- ably be one of the delegates-at-large from the state, provided the silver men don’t capture the state convention. The state has not heretofore voted as a unit, so that there will probably be a divided delegation, and it {is uncertain which faction will be in the majority. The silver men are suppcsed to have the best of it. Senator Brice, speaking of the national convention, said: “By the time the con- vention meets the eilver men will be in a hopeless minority. They will not be able to control the platform or the candidate.” “What is your estimate of the sound money vote at Chicago?” asked The Star veporter. “We will not have less and it is likely that the ‘sound money’ vote will be some sixty or seventy more than that. It will be that way if there is any contest.” “What about ths presidential choice?” “We will not make up our minds as to what we will do about a presidential nom- inee until after the republican national convention meets. The are that the state conventions of the big states, like ota and Iowa ‘onfidence, but than 580 votes, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, will not meet to select delegates until after the St. Louis convention.” West Virginia. In West Virginia the “sound money” men, it is: said, will get the majority of the delegation. No state convention will be held, however. It has been decided that each of the four congressional distric shall hold a convention and elect three delegates, one a delegate-at-large. There is a good chance that one district. will send silver men, and possibly two will do so. The plan given {3 a fair one to the stl- ver men, and if they have any strength in the state they have a good opportunity of showing It. They ocght to bw to cap: ture one or two of the distrizt conventions, st is said. Senator Faul Tr says that there is some hope that a fight over the financial ques- tion may be avoided in West Vireinia, the delegutes being satectol without refer- ence to silver. If this is not the case, he says, there will probably be silver dele- gates from one district, gold delegates from two districts, with tna result in the other district in doubt. There will be no majority control of ine delegation. Minnesota. Representative Towne of Minnesota 1s a republican, but he keeps up with the silver movement in the various states. Talking to a Star reporter he said that if there was an expression of the will of the democratic voters of Minnesota, a silver delegation Would be sent to Chicago. He did not know whether there would be an active attempt of the silver forces for the delegation. A majority of the leaders of the state, men like ex-Congressman Hall, Dan W. Lawler and Michael Doran, are opposed to silver, Willinm R. Morrison. and they will more than likely prevent the white metal people frum running the con- vention. 510 Tlinoli Representative Downing, the only demo- crat in the present House from Ulinois, said to a Star reporter: “I don’t think there Is the least room for doubt that Mlinois will send a soll] silver delegation to the national convention. In the fact, it is as certain as ar world. Illinois is one of the states in the countr: crats are coacerned. The convention last summer was thoroughly representative and the sentiment for silver was ove whelming. It has not grown less since. Some districts will elect gold delegates but the whole delegation will be instructe: by the state convention. In my judgment, there will not be less than 600 silver thing in afest si as far as the demo- dele- gates at the democratic national conyen- tion. Ilinois, I think, will present the name of Mr. Morrison as a candidate, but there will be nothing equivocal about their attitude on silver. Iowa, The indications point to a close fight in Iowa over the money*question. Ex-Gov. Boies, who may yet figure prominently in the presidential nomination at Chicago, is the free silver leader of the state, but he has little backing of other leaders. The people are said to be with him. There is a Powerful administration influence in the state, and this element always takes a deep interest in the county, congressional and state conventions. It was that faction which secured control of the state conven- tion last year and defeated the silver men by_a close vote. Gov. Boies is said to be preparing to make a strong fight to capture the coming convention for the silver men. Should he take a silver delegation to Chicago his chances for the presidential nomination would be that much more strengthened, but should he allow the gold standard peo- ple to beat him the silver people would not be likely to consider him of much force. Alabama. The Alabama gold standard men possess the qualities of fighters, and they are mak- ing s@ch a.strong fight in the state that they may be able to capture part of the Alabama delegation to Chicago. The gen- eral opinion is, however, that the delega- tion will be for silver. The state conven- tion will be held on the 28th of May. “My opinion {s that the state convention will ‘send a delegation against the gold standard and in favor of silver,” sald Rep- resentative Wheeler. Representative Robbins, whose seat was given to Mr. Aldrich, also expressed simi- lar views. Senators Morgan and Pugh, two of the ablest silver men in the south, are of the opinion that Alabama will be heartily for the white metal at Chicago. Representative Harrison, one -of the “sound money” men fgong;the state, told a Star reporter that there was a good chance for dividing the delegagion,. . North Carolina. The state convention"hag-not been called, but it is conceded that itiwill elect silver delegates. The demodrats!of North Caro- lina and South Carolifia #tand shoulder to shoulder on the mon¢ festion. None of the prominent men have fbreatened to bolt tho national convention» should it’ be against silver, but aarge number of the voters have done so,;and;the situation is serious to that extent, Tae leading demo- crats are for silver. .All.previous conven- tions have declared fey. thg white metal. Regarding a presidential choice, the del- egation will want a spund and straightfor- ward silver man, buf, wquid probably be satisfied with . Morsjson, or. Stevenson, should either pledge himself to let the wili of the party decide the money question. North Carolina’s twenty votes are re- garded as 2 certainty for silver at Chicago. Texas. It is not disputed that Texas will be for silver when the state convention meets. The gold standard men claim that they will carry a few districts, but it Is not known how this will take place when the state convention will elect all the delegates. Representatives Pendleton, Culberson and Bailey, and all the other members of the Texas delegation seen by a Star reporter, ald that there would-be a solid delegation in the national convention from the lone star state. Primaries will be held throughout the state on June 6 for the purpose of selecting delegates to the state convention, which bas not yet been called. i . Mr. Bailey sald to The Star man: “TI do not deny nor would I attempt ‘to conceal the fact that the situation in Texas is a very grave one, and it is practically cer- tain that no democratic nominee for the presidency can carry the state on a gold standard platform. i feel sure that at least three-fourths and, perhaps, four-fifths of the democratic party in Texas are earnestly in favor of the free and unlimited coinage of silver, and a large part of them cannot be driven or induced to support a gold standard policy,which they honestly believe to be destructive of the best interests of the country. I have no doubt that the Texas delegation to the national convention will be a unit in favor of the free coinage of both gold and silver at the ratio of 16 to 1, and will insist to the bitter end upon the formulation of a platform and the nomination of a candidate in harmony with their view.” Tennessee. Representative McMillin of Tennessee said regarding his state: “Our state con- vention will be for silver, and will send delegates of that kind to the national con- vention at Chicago. In my opinion Senator Bate will head the delegation.” When asked if the democrats of his state had any choice for President, he said that the question of the man to head the ticket was not talked of. Senator Bate’s View. In response to questions by a Star re- porter, Senator Bate said: “It is too early to give any specific ex- pression as to the individuals who may be delegates to that convention, but as to the great question of ‘free coinage of silver’ there is no room for doubt as to the posi- tion which the deleg&tion frem Tennessee will take in the deliberations at Chicago. There have recently been held in Tennes- se2 some twenty or more democratic mass meetings in as many counties, and, so far as I have seen, all have declared in favor of ‘free silver.’ This I believe to be the conviction of at least 80 per cent of the democrats of the state. With so large a majority of the party in favor of that pol- icy in our currency, it is to be expected that the state convention will instruct the delegation to Chicago to vote for a ‘free silver’ platform and for a ‘free silver’ can- didate. As to who should be nominated by that convention for the first or secon® place, I have seen no preference expressed, nor do I know that any exists, which would voice the preference of the democrats of the state. ‘The democratic party in Tennessee is pre-eminently the party of the people, and not of the classes; hence, it holds to the real democratic principle that the voice of the majority, fairly expressed, shall be the rule of the party. Heretofore, under very different conditions from any which ex'st at present, two rules have obtained in demo- cratic national conventions. The majority ruled in formulating the platform and the minority governed in naming the candi- dates. The two-thirds rule was a conces- sion to the southern states for their protec- tion, but when the reason for that rule ceased the rule !tself ought to have been abandoned, since its practical operation, as well as its real purpose, was to clothe the minority with a power to dictate its candi- date upon the majority. Where being no reason for the continued operation of that rule, it seems to me it would be a wise con- cession to harmony for the convention in the very first stages of jts organization to Vice President Stevenson. announce the abandonment of the thirds rule.” “Another change ts als year, above all vt times, the people of all parties demand clear, positive and em- phatic platforms as to measures and poli- cies, as well of principles. All classes are tred of ‘straddlers’ and Delphic an- nouncements ‘wh AY read in differ- ing senses in different sections of the coun- “two- desirable. This In the opinion of the as I believe, democr arty in Tenn tie su de pends greatly on an unequ declara- tion in favor of free coinage of silver. “In the ¢ 50 convention the advo- w.ll, in my opinion, of the delegations e electoral votes can be lemocratic 3} While ‘free draw cates of ‘free silver’ hold a j from st cast ngle state that is likely to vote the democratic ticket that is a ‘free sil- @ 1 © n of the invest the minor- ity, coming republican states, with power to dictate candidates objectionable to the states which are expected to vote for them. The large majority of demo- crats in Tennessee—and I th it obtains out the south and west—fecl that they have a constitutlo! Iver as money, with e , and the ht to ry right that be- Y propose to re at right through Not box. They mean to have it tested fairly by having a national platform that !s unequivocal in its terms, with a candidate whose position touching the free coinage of silver is frankiy and clearly announced, without reservation or room for doubt. Such platform and can- didate will challenge the admiration and g00d faith of tae masses of intelligent and patriotic voters.” Florida, Florida’s congressional delegation is di- vided on the money question. Senators 0 and Call are silver men, while Rep- sentatives Cooper and Sparkman are for Mr. Sparkman is the chairman of the state executive committe Mr. Sparkman declined to talk for publi- cation about the probable action of his state, except to say that the democrats of Florida are conservative. On the other hand Senator Call talked freely. ‘Ihe people of Florida of both parties are for silver,” he said. ‘The banks and railroads and the money influences are the other way. The state execu com- mittee is in the hands of the railroad in- fluence, and I cannot say when it will call the convention or what it will do. I will say that if the will of nine out of ten of the democrats of the state is expressed a sil- ver delegation will be sent from Florida.” The Senator also said that the silver men didn’t propose to be cheated and defrauded down there any more, and that they would “act to secure their rights this time.” Kentucky. Until the recent trouble at Frankfort there was a hope among Kentuckians that the diffcrences between the scund money and silver men might be settled without trouble when the state convention met. There is still some expression of such a hepe, but the general belief is that a chasm has been created which can never be bridged, and that the fight at the state ccnvention over the selection of delegates to the Chicago convention will be one to the bitter end. No compromise will be ac- cepted from the side which is in the ma- jority at the convention. One or the other will lose everything. The delegation from Kentucky will eitner be solidly for “sound money” or for silver, unless the situation very materially changes, and that is not expected. The silver men and friends of Elackburn have been very much embit- tered at the “sound money” men. They look upon them as republicans, and neither ex- pect to give nor receive consideration. The interesting question now is, Which side will have a majority at the conven- tion? It will bs close. The “sound money’ Congressmen from the state point to the last convention as an indication of what the next one will do, but some of them ad- mit that the full silver strength was not polled in the convention last year. There were many who voted against the silver resolutions because they thought they had no place before the convention at that time. Silver men say there isn’t a doubt that they will win, and so it goes. Unprejudiced sources, however, would more than likely give the delegation to the silver men. When asked what the state convention would do, Representative McCreary sai “TI believe that the state democratic conven- tion will declare in favor of ‘sound money.’ At the state convention last sum- mer there was a lengthy debate on the mcney question, and the majority report of the committee on resolutions, which was in favor of ‘sound money,’ was adopted by a vote of 633 to 244, nearly three to one. I Was a member of the committee on reso- lutions id took a deep interest in the adoption of the majority report. I think that before the state convention is held in Kentucky the people will take an interest in the selection of delegates, and if the views of a majority of the people are re- spected in that convention, there can be but one result—a declaration in favor of ‘sound morey.’ ” At every previous convention of the state the custom has been to allow each congres- sional district to select its own delegates to the national conventions without inter- ference or instruction. If this were car- ried out agair, the delegation would be di- vided, and the gold men think they would get the biggest end of the delegation. Of the twenty-six votes of the state they claim that they would be sure of eighteen or_twenty. Representative Owens said to a Star re- Porter: “My idea is that the first, second and third districts will send silver deie- gates to Chicago. The fourth is in doubt, but the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth; ninth, teath and eleventh will send ‘sound money’ men.” Both of the men quoted are “sound mon- ey” Representatives. Messrs. Clardy and Kendall are the only silver Representatives from the state. The latter preferred not to talk on the sitvation. Representative Hendrick and others said to a Star reporter that the recent troubles in the state have had a tendency to bring about a desire for conservative action among the democrats, and that after all the delegation might be divided for har- mony’s sake. Outsiders, those not in official life, believe that there will be no harmony, end that the split in Kentucky will exist for a quarter of a century. Virginia. - The “sound money” men have almost in- variably included Virginia in estimating their strength at Chicago, but the most competent judges of the situation in that state say that the delegates will be found in the silver cclumn at the national con- vention. This w-ll be the case if that old war horse of Virginia democracy, Senator Daniel, has any influence when the state convention meets in June. He is one of the silver leaders who does not believe in compromise or doubie-edged platforms, and will insist that his state send trustworthy silver men. Of course, it is not known that the delegation be instructed, but it will be composed of men who will probably lay aside personal feeling and vote as the people of their state wish. Of the nine democrats in the House sie Me- the state, five—Messrs. Jones, Tyle Kenny, Swanson and Otey—are si! Three—Messrs. Ellett, Turner an, are gold men. Mr. Meredith is also counted as a silver man, although he did not vote for the Serate substitute in the House. nator Martin is a conservative “sound ion of opinion, reporter: and the property of the people. They are, therefore, for restoring silver coinage and arresting the system of contraction which shrinks property and increases the burden of taxes and debt. The democratic state Ex- vernor Campbell. convertion will, in my opinion, so declare if it represents its constituency, as I hope and believe it will. ‘A President who would carry out plat- form promises is what the American people want. Congress, coming from all sections and immediately representing all the states #nd all the people, Is the body which shou! shape political policies, and the veto power, with the power of patronage, should not be exercised in hostility to its deliberate judx- t. h people have long since ed the time when they would submit ive dictation, and free be maintained unless strong enough to elect rep- who will obey their will with- S cannot the people are resentative out that d. ion. “The democratic party will carry the country as soon as it becomes thoroughly democratic, and it would not have been overthrown in 1894 if it had done what it pi sed to do. “The idea of international agreement is well enough in its w. but ‘who will bell the cat? the question asked of the mice, is | supplanted by the question, Who will guar- antee or enforce international agreement? When we were three or four millions of people we set up independence without in- ternational agreement. Now that we are 70,000,000, to declare our dependence is a folly stupendous. The fact is, international agreement is an International toy, which hes been used to amuse the people for twenty-five years. They are no longer in the mood to ‘be plea: with a rattle and tickled with a straw Arkansas. The sixteen votes of Arkansas will stand solid and firm to the last at Chicago for free silver. While one of the candidates for governor of ihe state is running on a “silver or nothing” platform, it is not cer- tain that the delegates from the state will consent to joining a new movement and leaving the democratic party if the gold standard men have control of affairs at the national convention. There has not been quite so much talk of this kind among the Arkansas representatives as has been the case in some other states, but every mem- ber of the delegation admits that the nomi- nation of a gold man at Chicago would lcse thousands of democrats to the ticket. Thei' is intimate that it might be hard to hold the state. Arkansas silver men are ell confident that the national convention ill be controlled by silver men. Senator Jones and Representat Say so, and confidently predict that the silverites’ will have a comfortable working majority. They have no other idea, and that why there is so little talk from Arkansas about bolt- ing. To a Star reporter, who asked if there was any doubt about what kind of a dele- gation would be sent to Chicago, Represent- ative Dinsmore said: “There is no sort of dcubt zbout what Arkansas will do. Nine- ty-five per cent of the democrats of the state are for the free and unlimited coin- age of silv It is the determined purpose of the democracy of the state, inspired and encouraged as much as possible by every member of the delegation in Congress, to send no delegate to the Chicago convention who is not reliably certain to use his influ- ence to commit the ‘ty to the free and unlimited coinage of silver and gold by the United States government at a ratio of 16 to 1, independent of any other country on earth.” The state conyention will meet in May, and Senator Jones will likely be one of the “big guns” of the delegation to the national convention. Senator Berry could go if he desired, but he has never attended many national conventions. Missixsippi. Both Senators and all the Representatives from Mississippi, except Representative Catchings, are strong believers in the white metal. It is said that there are fewer gold standard men in the state than in any other commonwealth in the country. Senator- elect Money, therefore, probably voiced the sex iments of the people of his state in say- ing to a Star reporter: “The Mississippi state convention meets on April 29. The delegation will be for the free*and unlimited coinage of silver at the" ratio of 16 to 1, independent of the action of any other government. The men who go to the national convention will carry out the views of the people of the state. They will not only assent to the proposition of free silver, but must effirmatively indorse it. The delegates will not only be sound in prin- ciple, but firm in maintaining it. They will not be committed to any candidate, but they want a man who will stand on the platform and not on his own opinion. The silver sen- timent is daily intensifying in the state, and no equivocation or evasion in the platform or in the candidate will be tolerated.” Senator Money is further of the opinion that the silver men will be in the majority at the-national convention. It is not known whether Mr. Money wants to go to Chicago, but if he desires it he can be a delegate with- out any trouble. Representative Catchings is a strong gold wae man, the only one in the delega- ion, South Carolina. There is a strong possibility of two dele gations to Chicago from South Carolina. In fact, the little palmetto state is in a ter rible plight, politically. Nobody knows the outcome, and even the astute Senator Till- man, the man whose word has been law in the state, may be somewhat apprehensive how South Caroli willend up. The Sera- tor, however, says he does not believe there will be two delegations from the state, as @ contested delegation will have no grounds to stand o1 The threat of a contesting delegation comes about over a recent letter Senator Tillman wrote to a constituent. The letter Was published in The Star. It stated that South Carolina would send a delegation to Chicago, but should the convention not decide for silver, the delegates would bolt and join the silver people of the west. The Greenville News, one of the leading gold daily papers of the state, calls upon State Chairman Irby to know whether he will sanction any such talk &s Senator Tillman is guilty of. The News says: “If the state convention takes any such action as Sen tor Tillman suggests, we will-advocate the calling of another democratic convention, the independent reorganization of the party and the election of a set of delegates in- structed and pledged to abide the result of the action of the national convention, whatever it may be.” Senator Tillman and kis followers, however, will probably be Loo sharp to allow such threats as this to be carried out. The state convention, which meets, under the constitution of the party, in May, will not “take any such action as Senator Tillman suggests"—that is, it will not take the action on the eurface. The convention, it is expectad, will noi instruct the delegates to bolt, but delegates will be elected who may bolt if the action of the national convention does not suit them. These men, too, will represent the feelings and sentiments of a large majority of the white men of the state. Since Senator Till- mun became prominent in the siate, about 100 Of the $5, white men of South Car- colina have supported him, and still do 80, while the remaining 30,000 have bitterly op- pone him. Up to this time the minority s not bolted any of the nominations e, and has sanctioned, in a soft-hea ¢1 manner, the actions of the state c ventions, controlled by Tillman and his Supporters. The minority now sees that Tillman and his people are preparing to ony and it is fixing to take advantage ot The political history of the time since Tiliman made his triumphant appearance is deeply mutere ting. As stated, Senator ‘Tillman has had the large majority of the white people at his back. There have been many tireats that the minority wouid with the republicans and beat th or Tilimanites. The reform- nvention last year and adopted a new censtitution, which distranchised over 59,000 illi ‘ate negroes. Sul, sheuld the minority democrais and republicans unite they would have a ma- jority over the Tiliman faction, could a full vote be polled. They would hardly win, cause the managers of the election and the party machinery will be controlled by the Tillmanites, but the minority democrats nite formers,” ers held a constitutional ¢ Ex-Ge assert thst they have too long been use@ to ballot-box stuffing themselves to allow the Tillmanites to work that kind of a game on them, and should it be attempted, there would be bloodshed. The rather startling statement is made by the Greenville News that “as it looks now the siate will go republican in federal politi There will be no such unity among white people as is needed to make counting in and counting out safe and easy. Under the new election la’ a fair count will give 50,000 or more negro votes, and we believe 0) or 30,000 white men will vote the republican ticket ae against a free silver or populist nomina- tion.” South Carolina Congressmen laugh at this prediction, and say they will carry the state for free al ilver certain, and they are ut right, say those who know. Prac- ly ali the farmers of the state are with liman, and they would not allow their negro tenants to vote. This would reduce the negro vote way below the estimate made by the News. Senator Tillman himself will lead the South Carolina delegation at Chicago. Gov. Evans, who will possibly succeed Senator Irby, will be another of the delegates. Congressman Wilson will be another one, if he consents to go. Should the national convention be for silver, Senator Tillman's name may, as a compliment, be presented by the ‘South Carolina delegation as a candidate for President. While the Senator does not talk about this little project himself, he did not hesitate to say to a Star reporter: “If the silver democrats will put out a genuine silver man at Chicago they will sweep this country, and will elect a President and Vice President without a doubt.” There is not a South Carolina Represen- tative who has announced that he will sup- port a gold standard democrat. Senator Irby recently stated that he would abide the nomination at Chicago, but his days are said to be numbered as a Senator if he has to depend on “reform” votes for re- election. His idea now is to cultivate the friendship of the minority, which has bit- terly opposed him heretofore, and trust to some kind of a combination re-electing him to the Senate. To a Star reporter Representative Wil- son said: f the Chicago convention repudiates the fixed and determined foundation principles of the democratic party, hitherto unchang: ed and unquestioned during its whole his- tory, by refusing to declare in its platform for both gold and silver as standard money, with equal rights of coinage at the mints at a fixed ratio, and of equal legal tender properties, then that convention will be- tray the party and the voters who com- pose it. There will then be but one course for demccrats to pursue, and that is to re pudiate the convention. However, there is very litle danger of that development, as the friends of silver will control the con- venticn by over fifty majority, and will me the platform upon established demo- tic principles. If there is any bolting, it ill be by the goldi But, under the two-thirds rule, the sliver delegates, though in the majority, will not be able alone to nominate. They can, however, pass a reso- lution requiring its proposed standard | bearers to pledge themselves to faithfully and without mental reservation or evasion stand upon the platform. That would pro- tect the party and hold it to its moori nes. The nominees will, consequently, be friends of silver or ‘there will be none. Subsequent pro: dings will then be very interesting throughout the country to ail parties. And I believe the democratic party will emerge from the tangle pur: stronger than it is today.” Georgia. Georgia’s state corvention meets on the 25th of June. The silver men say positively that they will elect a eolid delegation, and wili also instruct the dele= ‘ion. The four delegates-at-i are likely to be Senator Bacon, ex-Spva. Crisp, Dditor Howell of the Constitution and ex-senator Pat Walsh. Representative Livingston said to The Star man: “Georgia is for a straight * silver man, We don’t want a straddle and won't have it. We had rather vote for a sound money man than a straddler. It is wrong to impose upon the masses. The plat- form and the man must both be for silver or the other way. The McKinley platform is a disgrace and we won't have anything to do with one of that kind.” Mr. Livingston is confident that the white metal advocates will have everything their own way at Chicago. He long ago figured out a majority for that side, and sticks to his prediction. A very earnest fight is in progress be- tween the administration forces, led by Secretary Hoke Smith, and the silver men, led by ex-Speaker Crisp. Usually there have been two conventions, one to nom- inate Representatives to Congress, eto., and cne to elect delegates to the national con- vention. The silver men have succeeded in