The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-27
CAN'T STOP IT.
The sixteen to One' Movement
is Gigantic.
Illinois Democracy VIII Declare
For It
In Spite Of Frantic Efforts of
Whippers In.
ALL SOUTH AND WEST
Will Follow in the Big
Stampede.
Chicago GOldbugs Disheartened
by the Outlook.
PARTY LINES GONE.
PARTY LINES GONE.
Illinois Republicans Are For
Free Silver Coinage
Along With Their Brethren Of
Democratic Faith.
GOldbug Democrats Shrek "The
Party is Wrecked!'

CHICAGO, April 27.-The most sensa-
tional political development for many
day in Chicago, if not in the entire west.
was made public this afternoon
The coming Democratic state conven-
ton in Illinois will beyond all doubt de-
clare for free silver without international
agreement of any kind, and the move
ment is of such strength that other west
ern and southern states will be prevented
with great difficulty, if at all. from fol-
lowing the lead of Illinois. AS party,
the Democracy of Illinois is doomed to
Reorganization.
The authority for these statements is
Hon. John May Palmer, corporation
counsel of Chicago, and one of the best
known Democrats in the state. He is
not free silver man. On the contrary
he has a reputation with the more pro-
nounced silver element as a decided
son of United States Senator Palmer,
who has been leading the sound money
fight for the national administr alton in
Illinois. The statements were made in
an interview this afternoon and the news
caused wide spread comment and specu-
lation. Mr.. Palmer returned to Chicago
today from the state capital
He said:"The sentiment in favor of the
free and Unlimited coinage of silver at the
ratio of Is to l without International con-
ference or agreement, seems to have TAX
en- complete possession of the Democra- :
cy of Illinois, outside of Cook county.
II conferred with men of all shades
of opinion upon this subject, with Re-
publicans as we'll as Democrats. 1 talk
ed with Republicans because sometimes
the lockers on see more of the game
than the players.
81 met old friends with whom could
talk confidentially and got the impress
sion that while there is very strong and
respectable sentiment throughout the
state in opposition to this currency theo-
~, yet the opponents of 16 to l are with
out organization, apparently without any
ambition to succeed and are singularly
silent while the silver men are vigorous,
active and aggressive
"It seems to me utterly impossible that
| the opponents of Is to 1 silver, should
they take part in the June convention,
could make any serious i'm preston. The
convention will unquestionably declare
in favor of 16 to 1, without conference
with any nation.
~We who oppose the view, although
| Ll6Fo are SOu10 QL10F0nC0s Oh opinion
among US, will as rule take
no part in the convention,
although in some counties delegations
will be sent composed of leading men to
represent both views wholly irrespective
of the sentiment in the particular To-
cality.
There has been great deal of unne-
cessary personal irritation and controver-
sy over this subject which is very much
to be deplored. There will be a good
deal of talk about reading men out of
the party The Immediate effect of the
expected declaration will be to dis
organize the Democratic party in this
ultimate effect, should the currency
will be the reorganization of both par
ties on new lines.
''Those who like myself may be called
conservatives have a faint hope that
wa may be able to induce
the June convention to declare that it is
expedient to draw party lines upon the
ton, but l confess [ have nc
great confidence that we will
be able to secure this Unless
the refusal of the Democrats, who
| agree with me to take part in the
convention shall lead the party elsewhere
to believe that Democratic sentiment il
not thoroughly represented by the con-
vention, this declaration will have a very
strong and powerful influence upon the
parties in the western and southern
states. but will not, l think, affect any
thing east of Ohio"