Evening star., 1895-05-30
FREE COINAGE IN MISSOURI
The Silver Democrats to Call q Conven-
tion.
pecial Dispatch TO The Evening Star.


ST. LOUIS. May 3O-Missouri is also to
have a convention Of democrats to voice
the party's sentiment on the currency ques-
tion.- This much has been determined upon
by the county leaders, who will act inde-
pendently Of the state committee, unless
that committee rush to cover by issuing a
scall at once. AS Is well known. the anti
silver sentiment in the state committee Is
very strong, if, indeed, 1t does not predomi-
nate. Chairman Maffitt is certainly a gold
man, as are all the members who hold their
positions through the Francis influence.
Left to its own inclination, this body would
have refused to comply with the demand
from every quarter of the state for con-
vention. But 1t was not left to Its own in
clination. An ultimatum has been served
upon it, and If 1t does not issue a call 1t
will be simply ignored. - 7s-r' '."t .
"Silver Dick" Bland Is the power behind
the throne. and he no doubt inspired the
proclamation by Chairman Ferriss of La
clede, his home county. This proclamation
they were asked to communicate with Fer
riss and indicate their views The response
was practically unanimous. But three
county leaders have up to date refused to
take part. Hence, a delegate convention is
a certainty. 1t will probably be called for
midsummer.
That Ferriss' action was piece of clever
strategy is now conceded, for if the mat
committee an early convention will be the
result On the other hand, If the commit
tee had acted promptly it could have set
the date for next fall, by which time, ac-
cording to Chairman Maffitt's own theory,
the craze will have subsided. The action
of the delegates would then, perhaps, be
conservative A convention called as this
one has already been called practically, al
though no date has been set will surely
declare for the 16 to 1 ratio and for unlim-
tied free coinage.
There are indications of recession of the
silver tidal wave already in Missouri no.
ticeable mainly through the inquiry for lit
erature the other side of the question
If this reaction become more manifest there
is some probability of the gold men hoist
ing their colors, and, under the leadership
of David r. Francis. making fight for
the delegates to the Fer-iss-Bland conven-
ton. Ex-Gov. Francis has just returned
from Washington, where he had a consul
tation with the President. He is adroit
and intrepid when 1t comes to facing po-
ltical foe and would go into such a con-
test with at least chance of victory. That
Mr.. Cleveland would like to see some west
ern state declare in favor of sound
money through accredited representatives
of the people goes without saying.
A Bland Boom.
Behind the Ferriss movement is undoubt-
edly a presidential boom for Bland, and if
the silver men get together in a conven-
tion which they can control the apostle of
silver will undoubtedly be indorsed by reso-
luton. And herein lies the weakness of the
silver movement. Not that any one out
here considers the Laclede county man
weak, but because the ardent ambition of
Gov. VIM. ]. Stone to secure the nomination
for Vice President may create factions, di-
vide the strength of'the free silver men,
and in the end discount any advantage
gained by the present unprecedented propa-
ganda.
Failing in his efforts tn get IN the M
tional ticket. Stone would like to succeed
Vest in the United States Senate and as
Mr.. Vest has already got on the very crest
of the silver tidal wave, as he usually
rolls over Missouri It will be seen that a
three-cornered factional fight Is one of the
possibilities If not the probabilities of the
future.
Carlisle for President.
The pronounced gold men out here are en-
thusiastic, though not yet numerous. Just
now Mr.Carlisle's name is on every tongue
among them and they glibly advocate his
nomination for the presidency. 1t is sug-
gested by Many that II Carlisle should be-
come President, Cleveland would be the
logical Secretary of the Treasury. under
his Administrations and it is further as
serted that as Mr. Cleveland appealed to
Carlisles patriotism to get him into the
present cabinet, the next administration
could follow the precedent and secure
Cievelands services.
In the meantime the silver propaganda
continues. Every man in Missouri. it
seems. has become profound economist
Lawyers, doctors, ministers, merchants.
laborers. high school boys and barroom
Ioafers alike talk learnedly of ratios, par
tiles and the ''crime of '73 ;"
The citizens of ST. Louis have presented
to the new steamship of that name libraries
for the first and second cabins,