Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-10
The Illinois Democratic State Con-
vention to Settle the Question.
INTEREST IN ADMINISTRATION CIRCLES
What It is Desired the President
Should Do.
MR.. sTEVENsON'S POSITION
What is in the air out in Illinois?

What Is In the air OUT In ILLINOIS,.
This question Is of very great interest In |
administration circles. The calling OF a
democratic state convention out there to
consider the silver question, and the in
vitation extended to the President to visit
Chicago at an early day and deliver an
address on the finances, are provoking no
end Of discussion. The purpose of those
issuing the invitation clearly Is to play the
President against the convention, and II
not thereby to break up that body when it
shall meet, certainly to seriously embarrass
1t. The President has not committed him
self. He received the committee cordially,
and said he would consider the matter. No
doubt exists of course, as to his feelings
in the premises. The convention is ex-
pected to declare for free coinage, and he
is opposed to that He would probably be
willing to deliver several addresses If he
could prevent 1t. But would an address
from him, delivered at Chicago, or any
where, prevent 1t? Is not the action of
the sucker democracy on that subject al
ready as good as declared?
A Letter Wanted.
Failing to secure a visit and an address
from the President the sound money demo-
Gratis of Illinois will try to induce him to
write letter, giving his views up to date
and outlining the course he thinks the
party ought to pursue at this time. Some
expression from him Is considered import
ant. for use not only in Illinois, but else
where. The silver democrats are every
where active, and the fear Of the sound
money faction is that unless a counter
demonstration of some kind is made by
them the party will be thoroughly pledged
to free coinage before the next presidential
race begins.
The President Is said to feel somewhat
hampered by an intimation that this
demonstration in Illinois is likely to bene-
| fit Mr.. Stevenson in the end. 1t Is not
| charged that the Stevenson men engineer
| ed the convention call, or that when the
| convention meets the Stevenson presiden-
| tial boom will be conspicuously in EVIL
| dence, but 1t Is pointed out pretty plainly
| that the movement is distinctly In line
| with the Vice Presidents views. and that
| his friends at home and elsewhere are
| earnestly advocating an aggressive fight
for silver. The argument is, therefore.
| that any formal declaration for free silver
| by the Illinois democracy must result In
| forwarding the fortunes Of Mr.. Stevenson
| among the free silver forces. and In IN
| creasing interest in him everywhere as to
his availability for the presidential race.
| Senator Palmer is against free coinage,
sentative on the subject. It is Mr.. Steven
| son who has always declared for free
| coinage, and 1t Is to him, his friends de-
| clare. that his party must turn for aggres-
| sive and progressive championship II 1t
possesses the strength at home to shape
the deliverance of a state convention.
Somewhat Embarrassing.
1t is conceded that this view of the situa-
ton Is well calculatedto somewhat embar-
rass the President The question in the
last analysis is. Of course. one Of principle.
and not of personalities. The President Is
opposed to free silver, and nobody doubts
that he will throw the whole weight of his
office and influence into the scale when the
time comes. But will he care to do this al
a time when the first effect might appear
to enlist him against his yokemate's pres
idential candidacy? Would not deliver,
whether spoken or written. in time to at
feet the deliberations of the convention
that has been called. have an anti-Stevenson
flavor and no other? VIII not 1t be time for
him to speak later, and In circumstances
that will prevent the putting of any un-
pleasant personal Interpretation on his ut
terances? The country is not in doubt as
to his attitude on the finances. 1t is not
as IL he were hating between two opinions
or two courses, and his friends undecided
as to which course they should pursue. And
so, 1t is suggested, the President may In
the end decide to postpone any participa-
ton in this latest phase of the controversy
until he can feel entirely safe from any
imputation Of mastering with those mimi
cal to the fortunes Of the Vice President.
Cleveland and Stevenson.
This incident gives rise to renewed tall
about the relations existing between Mr.
Cleveland and Mr.. Stevenson. Reports
have more than once represented the two
men as sustaining only the most formal re
lations toward each other. This is denied
outright by those in position to know. L
is no secret that they differ widely on tn,
| money question and on other questions
and that this fact has drawn to each mar
certain following that had felt repealed
by the views of the other. The one Is fo
free coinage and the other is against 1t
and many democrats have ranged them
selves under the banners Of the two MEL
accordingly. But the two men themselve
are in every way friendly. Mr.. Cleveland
| is said to esteem Mr.. Stevenson most high
ly' for those popular qualities which hav'
brought him so close to the people, whil
Mr. Stevenson Is represented as testifyfnl
to those qualities Of Mr.. Cleveland whtcl
are the basis Of the boasts of all the Presi
dents friends. Mr.. Stevenson. while not
frequent caller at the White House. 1
among the favored ones when he does call
and Is always admitted without a moment
delay into the Presidents presence.
But, of course, a split must come II MI
Stevenson is to lead the free coinage demo
Gratis in the next national campaign. No
body expects the President in any circum
, stances to support such policy under any
, body's leadership. The belief rather is tina
he would initiate an humble example an
. take to the woods-not to say to Woodley-
, and remain during the whole of the cam
, paign.