Mexico weekly ledger., 1895-05-16
Opposed to a Convention.
THE VIEWS OF REPRESENTATIVE
HALL OF MISSOURI.
He Seems to Think there Is Dynamite
in the Silver Question and 1t
Must Be Handled With
Care A Big Crop Will
Help the DEM
ocrats.

resentative Hall, of Missouri, who Is
now in Washington, believes that al
though the agitation in behalf of sill
yer is still continuing in the West,
there is one factor which may have an
influence upon the future which has
not yet been taken into consideration.
II is the promise of unusually good
crops in the West.
Mr.. Hall achieved much prominence
in the last Congress by his pronourc-
ed and able advocacy of the income
tax. He has also voted for the free
coinage of silver, although he is not
extreme in his views upon this sub
iect. He is in favor of a conservative
Democrat who does not let his part
isanship bias his Judgment, for it will
be remembered he voted to seat his
Republican colleague, Mr.. JOY, when
the Democrat, O'Neill, was contest
ing the seat. 1t is this fairness which
makes Mr.. Halls views worthy of at
tention, and when he says that a year
of good crops may change present
conditions in the West, the assertion
may be accepted as coming somewhere
near the truth.
"There is, of course" said he, "a
strong silver sentiment in my State.
Our Governor is pronounced in his
opinions, and the two Senators are
ardent advocates of free coinage. At
the same time there is n general be-
lief that il would not be wise to COM
nit the party at this time to any ex-
preston upon the financial situation.
We have no election in the State this
year, and there is no eason why we
should be hasty in Il action. In
fact, | understand that of the Is MEM
bers of the State Democratic Central
Committee only two are in favor of
holding a State Convention to take
action on the currency question. One
of these is against it personally, but
will be guided by the wishes of his
constituents"
"Do you believe that such a con-
vention will be held?"
"T do not. If the State Committee
does not call it, there is no way in
which it can assemble, unless the peo-
pie of the State take the matter in
their own hands and by holding coun-
ty conventions select delegates to a
State Convention to be called by new
ly-chosen State committeeman. This
is a succession of events which | do
not regard as probable. One of the
causes which will operate against
a spontaneous, but irregular action, is
the fact that there will be 10 or Is
candidates for every State Office at
the convention next year, and each
one of the aspirants does not want
his country or his party committed
now to a position which may oe I'M
barrassing a year hence.
awe must proceed with considerable
caution in Missouri. We must not, in
view of our experience last year, u
any unnecessary risks. Above all
things, there must be no disorganiza-
ton in the party, and Reorganization
would be threatened by any action
now upon the silver question. We are
certain to have good crops. Our corn
and wheat both promise In abundant
harvest and when we have gathered
and sold products, we can take a
day or two off and talk over the finan-
cial question"
"What is the presidential talk in
Missouri"
''There is some sporadic gossip, but
nothing definite. 1t would not be ever
safe to predict whether Missouri will
send a delegation pledged to a free
coinage candidate. Morrison is a very
highly regarded man, and I believe he
would carry the State. Personally l
would like to see the Republicans
nominate Mckinley and we put up
Representative Wilson. That would
make n good fight along straight lines,
and ! am willing to wager right now
that Mckinley would not WIN"