The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-09-02
HILL ON FREE COINAGE.
The Silver Question Likely to vex
the New York Democrats.
WHY THE GOVERNOR WON'T STAND
BY the Silver Plank of tho Democratic
Platform of 1sso--Proorth that He has
Already Begun to Trim on the Cues
tion.-.Tho Fight Dctwccn the Hin
aud Cleveland Factions.

ALBANY, N. Y, Sept la great many
disLractlng matters will trouble the del
egates to the Democratic State conyen-
ton, and already the leaders of the
Democratic party are looking forward
with apprehension to the meeting OF
that body. Not to speak Of a big con-
test between Tammany Hall and the
county Democracy for the privilege OF
misrepresenting New York, there prom
ises to be contcstiag delegations from n
number OF counties representing rival
Hill and Cleveland Democrats who wish
places upon the Democratic State COM
mittee.
But what will the convention say
upon TINT "burning question" OF the
hour, the coinage oil the silver dollar?
viii the Democrats OF New York follow
the lead OF those OF Ohio and declare
themselves in favor OF free coinage OF
silver? There Is one man in New York,
Gov. Hill, who has the highest interest
in those questions being answered in
such manner as will not diminish his
chances OF being nominated for presi-
dent. lie cannot afford to ,alienate the
support OF the Democrats OF New York
state; vet he will not dare to offend the
Democrats OF the west and south by
opposing frankly and determinedly
their free coinage platform. The Buff
falo Courier the leading Democratic
newspaper of Western New York, in an
editorial upon "the silver question Mt
Saratoga" few days ago said:
Once moro the Ohio Democratic man
ayers, at a critical time, have commit
ted blunder, resulting in doubt and
encouragement where the party ought
10 be hopeful and confident. 1t Is all
the duty OF the New York Democracy
to represent the cause OF honest money
and r. maintain the well-known Demo-
cratic ascendency Of this State. As q
model for the action OF the Saratoga
convention OF next month, the silver
plank Of the Saratoga platform Of 1885
might serve. That was the platform
upon which David 3. Hill was nomi-
mated for the Governorship, and it was
worthy Of the memorable" hard-moneyn
declaration Of 1875 which the party
adopted under the leadership OF Samuel
J. Hiden."
But was not the Democratic platform
OF 1885 far too hostile to the lightweight
silver dollar to suit David b. Hill in
1891? That platform demanded the re-
peal of even the mild law compelling
the coinage OF certain amount OF silver
dollars monthly. Is Mr.. Hill willing
that the Democrats OF New York, under
his leadership, shall demand the stop
ping of the coinage OF the silver dollar
in the present year of 1897
Six years have passed since 1885, and
in that time the Southern and Western
Democrats have fallen in love with the
SO-cent silver dollar, and are demanding
its free coinage. Mr.. Hill has trimmed
before, and politicians here believe now
that he will trim upon the silver ques-
ton at the approaching Democratic
State convention. Indeed, he began
trimming upon it as early as September,
1890, in q speech he delivered before the
Kings county Democrats at the dedi-
cation Of the Jefferson Building in
Brooklyn.
It may be predicted that Mr.. Hills
silver plank in the approaching Demo
cratic platform in this State will squint
toward free silver coinage, as he did in
that speech. It will not be frank,
honest statement against free silver
coinage, like that OF 1885. And in SO far
as 1t minimizes the protest against free
silver coinage, it win be surrender to
the ideas concerning silver prevalent
among the Southern and Western
Democrats. But Mr.. HilEnot put the will
New York Democrats in q more favora-
Bile attitude toward free silver coin
age without meeting with considerable
opposition. Ex-President Cleyeland's
friends say that they will not submit to
his being placed "out Of line" with the
Democratic party in the State upon the
silver question. They declare that they
will fight in the Democratic State Con-
vention for the adoption Of the silver
plank of 1855, Congressman Tracey, Of
Albany, one of the leading Cleveland
men Of the State, has been elected n
delegate to the convention from ono Of
the Assembly districts Of Albany coun-
~. 1t is the intention OF the Cleveland
men TO, make him member OF the
Platform Committee, and have him OPP
pose the adoption OF any plank which
con be interpreted as favoring the free
coinage OF silver.