Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-10
Will Those Sections Combine in the
Interest of Silver?
CONVENTION PROBABILITIES DISCUSSED
Platforms Not Likely to Depart
From Party Feeling.
WHAT MR.. TELLER EXPECTS.

WI VI tHe Two Olu pdTtleS Will ue lrSl
in the field with Its platform and ticket
| next year?
This is a factor in the calculations Of
some of the silver men. The unwritten rule
| is that the party in power shall go first
| The country is to be asked to pass upon the
record made, and this puts the initiative
on the party making the record. But Off
cial responsibility this time will be divided
for while the executive branch of the gov
ernment will be in the hand of the demo-
| Gratis, the legislative branch will be in the
hards of the republicans. Will this cut any
figure in the maneuvering Of the two ma
tional committees? The matter is a full
year off, but it is already the subject of
some discussion.
What Free Coinage Democrats Want.
Those free coinage democrats willing, If
necessary, to go into coalition in order to
win next years fight would be very glad
to see the republican convention held first
Their idea is that the silver spirit is strong
er among the republicans of the west than
1t Is among the democrats of the SOUTH
and that if break in the old party lines
can be effected at all 1t must start in the
republican ranks. The silver question is
thought to mean just a little more in the
west than it does in the south Both Sec
tlonS are asking for more money, and want
1t in silver. but 1t is the west that will
have the bullion to take to the mints If
free coinage should win. The south con-
tains no silver mines. Hence it is that the
west. having the greater stake in the game,
is accredited with the greater nerve, and
| is expected to front the gold bugs with
more daring and courageous demeanor
when the time comes for action in national
convention.
1t is assumed by these democrats that the
majority of the delegates to the republican
convention will be instructed against any
might he ;i 1ara
compromise on the silver question. They
will insist on a platform that will be strict
ly in harmony with the partyS record as
to the finances. The prayers of the silver
men therefore will be denied, and no choice
left them but to remain where they are
and help along gold-bug policy or leave
the convention and put up a ticket of their
own on platform declaring so unequivo-
cally for silver that free coinage men will
be invited to its support from every quarter.
If silver Republicans Should Bolt.
II, in such circumstances, the silver re-
publicans should tolt their partys conven-
ton, and nominate as strong man as Mr..
Teller for President, what would be the ef-
feet on the free coinage democrats when
the national convention of their party as
Sembled? 1t seems now to be almost as
certain that the free silver men will con-
troll the one onvention as that the gold
men will control the other. Suppose, then
that the democratic convention should be
In the hands of the free coinage men, with
the power and the disposition to deny the
prayers of the sound money democrats
Suppose that the sound money democrats
should threaten a bolt on their part,
such inaction during the campaign as
would make republican success at the polls
certain. How would the democratic ma
jority meet this? Would they put up a
ticket of their own on silver platform of
their own? Or would they be willing, and
think it the part of wisdom, to indorse the
action of the boiling silver republicans and
adopt the ticket nominated by them? 1t
would be question of give and take. They
would have only to consider the matter of
numbers. Would the silver republicans
thus gained outnumber the sound money
democrats thus lost? If so, and the cause
of silver was, as claimed the paramount
consideration, the bargain would be q
tempting one and might be struck One
thing, at least, would be certain past all
cavil, and this is that two silver tickets in
the field would make republican success at
the polls as isy as falling off a log.
What May BE Expected.
But what may reasonably be expected
from the silver republicans when conven-
ton time comes? There is some bold talk
now, but is 1t safe to assume that it will
materialZe, even If their party shall be
called upon first to express itself? Sup
pose their prayers for silver are denied by
the convention. will they walk out and at
once set up in business for themselves?
Who will stand sponsor for the democrat cy?
Who will be able to pledge that, when the
time comes, the democracy VIII indorSe the
free silver ticket thus recommended? With
out such pledge independent action would
be worse than foolish the part of the
silver republicans. They would be cutting
loose from their old moorings without
chart or compass, any knowledge of
where or in what condition they would be
likely to come next to land.
The Old Question Again.
This question resolves itself In the end
into the old question: Can the west and
the south be brought together to oppose
the east on the money issue? The south
hesitates. She is in favor of free silver.
but is afraid to take the lead in a move
ment for the throwing off of old and very
strong political affiliations If the west
takes the lead, and clears herself of old
party trammels for silvers sake, will the
south follow? There seems to be no doubt
about the admiration for Mr.. Teller. He
represents in her eyes a very high quality
of public and private worth. She remem-
bers with especial gratitude his opposition
to the force bill in her interests. But Mr.
Teller is not talking of boiling his party's
action next year. On the contrary he has
said that he expects concessions to silver
sufficient to enable him to take an active
part in his party's campaign. Would any
bolt from the republican convention with
out Mr.. Teller amount to anything either
in the south or west?