Evening star., 1895-06-06
His Hand Will Mold the Coming
State Convention.
INTEREST In TEE FINANCIAL PLANK
VIII He Declare for Silver or for
Sound Money?
A PRESIDENTIAL QUANTITY

There were four mea-three In Congress
and one exerting himself on the outside
who prevented any extreme interpreta ton
of the Chicago platform of 1892 on the tar
iff question, and to these same men many
old-time democrats are row looking for
such concert of action as will prevent
party disruption on the money question.
Three out of the four are already in evil
dence. Mr. Hill and Mr.. Whitney have
both declared for internationa bimetal-
lism. and Mr.. Brice is endeavoring, though
under many difficulties, to persuade the
Ohio democrats to take the same position.
Mr.. German is the fourth of the very ca
pable quartet, and the day for his deliver
ance the subject is close at hand. The
democrats of Maryland will meet In state
convention next month, and the platform
adopted will, there is every reason to be-
lieve, be such as the Senator himself will
cause to be drafted.
Master of the Situation.
Mr. German is represented as being again
the master of the democratic situation at
homo. For time after the tariff bill
which he did so much to shape became
law he was roundly denounced by some of
his party friends at home, and as late as
two months ago ex-Congressman Rayner
cratic nomination for governor by an open
warfare on the Senator. He entered upon
such a campaign and made tour of the
state, but only to find that whatever Of
hostility to Mr. German had existed in the
party ranks had in large measure SUD-
sided, and that in raising his anti-Gorman
banner he had condemned himself TO isola-
tion and defeat After making this discov-
cry he promptly retired from the field The
nomination will be made rext month, and
while Mr.. German is urging no mans
claims, il is conceded that whoever is
chosen will be acceptable to him and to
his friends. In fact, without Mr.. Germans
active interest in the candidate a demo-
cratic nomination in Maryland this year
would be worth no mans acceptance.
His Part in the Convention.
But Mr. Germans part in the conven-
tion will have significance far beyond the
mere question of local party success at the
polls. The convention will be expected to
declare TO silver. and this. in a state
like Maryland, will mean much. The de-
mocracy there has never subscribed to the
free coinage doctrine. The states location
and its Intimate connection with the great
money certers of the east have served to
keep sentiment there on the money ques-
ton IN accord with that of the east. 1t
ought not to be difficult, therefore, to Sc
cure the passage OF resolution by the
convention committing the democracy to q
souare-toed support Of the sound money
policy.
4 Presidential Quantity.
But Mr.. German Is presidential guam
tity. VIII this fact cut any figure in the
promises? He stands very well with the
silver men. His attitude in the Senate has
been that of liberal biuetallist, and on
one occasion he voted for free coinage. He
may not care to imperil his popularity with
the democratic leaders south and west by
too extreme deiverance at this time
and yet anything from him the subject
not altogether specific might cost him
strength in both camps. How will he set
tie the question? The convention will TELL
for VIVA atever it proclaims on the subject
will be accepted as his.
No signs are reported Of administration
opposition to Mr.. German at home This
1t is thought would be difficult to organize,
even if order to such effect were given.
The federal officials. with but two excep
tions. are Mr. Gorman's friends and could
not be relied upon to work against him.
They are. indeed, part of the power he
wields In the state, and, 1t Is asserted,
would, if forced to choose between him and
the administration, promptly give up their
places. They are expected to help him win
the fight next fall and thus further
strengthen his hold on the states affairs.