Evening star., 1895-06-03
The Springfield Convention May
Call a National Conference.
SCHEMES OF FHE ILLINOIS SILVER MEN
Senator Palmer Watching the
Course of Events.
HAS BECOME AGGRESSIVE
pecial From a staff Correspondent.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill, June 3.-There are
indications today that an effort may be
made by the managers of the democratic
free silver convention of Wednesday next
to give the meeting a wider scope than the
call anticipated There is talk of attempt
Ing to pass resolution calling for ma
tional democratic free silver conference"
to be held at St. Louis later in the sum-
mer.
The proposition which Is being canvassed
among some of the Springfield managers is
to issue an invitation, under the auspices
of the democratic party of Illinois, for
financial conference of the democracy of
every state in the interests of the free
coinage of silver. When the delegations ar
rive here Wednesday the plan will be laid
before the leaders from different sections
of the state. and If it meets their concur
renee would doubtless carry in the conven-
ton.
To lndorse AItgeld.
There Is also talk of an effort to be made
by Governor Altseld to have the coming
convention indo-se his position in the Chi
cago strike matter by deploring the decision
of the Supreme Court in the Debs case.
That decision was a great disappointment
to Gov. Altgeld, and was the last blow in
series of defeats in his handling of the
strike. The proposition with regard to this,
as now discussed, is to have the convention
view with alarm" the precedent set by the
Supreme Court decision In the interference
OF federal courts with the rights of labor
ard the aid thus given to tyrannous capital.
1t is said Gov. Altgeld is very anxious to
have such resolution pass, but that there
is opposition to it's presentation.
Senator Palmer is in the city and watch
ing the progress OF events with much in
terest. He thinks the convention will go
derstand there is likelihood of the conven-
ton inStructing me to vote for free sill
ver," said Senator Palmer today. IF they
do l will answer them. 1t will not go I'M
rotfced you may depend upon it,
Here the old general tucked up his
sleeves with 4 very expressive gesture. No
one Is likely to get fall out of him. The
fact is Senator Palmer is so irritated with
the non-committal course of Vice President
Stevenson Mr.. William R. Morrison and
other leading democrats of the state at
this juncture that he is aroused to state
of continual aggresSiVene SIS in behalf of
sound money and the admins tration. Fig
uratively speaking, he goes around with 4
chip on his shoulder" all the time.
The publication of Coy. Altgelds attack
on the federal judiciary this morning at
tracted but little attention here. 1t is re-
garded as merely-a political incident timed
for the occasion. 1t lends Cclor. however,
to the report which was current before,
that he will seek to Rave the democratic
convention indorse his views and give him
vindication.
Officers as Levers.
The question of federal appointments and
the participation of federal Office holders
is figuring in the free silver movement ex-
tensively. Several democratic officials who
have been identified with the silver move
ment have shown a decided change of
front recently, and are making haste to
get out of the free silver camp. 1t is IN
derstoOd that when Senator Palmer was
ill Washington few days ago he advised
that all postmasterships and other ap-
pointments should be held up until the ef-
fects of the coming convention are made
manifest.
Secretary of State Hinrichsen, the lieu
tenant of the Altgeld democracy, told me
that If prejudice is done any federal office
holder on account OF his utilization with
this movement the silver democrats of the
Senate VIII make common cause of the af-
fair, and refuse to confirm the other man,
or render it unpleasant for the admin
istration.
Mr.. Washington Hesng. the representa-
tive of the administration at Chicago. came
down this molning. The sound money
people do not hope to accc mplish much"
he said. The best they can expect to do
will be to endeavOr to tone down the reso-
lutions if they get beyond the avowed OBJ
ject of the convention, as now seems very
| likely"
The Proposed Conference.
Later investigations this afternoon con-
firms the report. current earlier IN the
day., that an effort may be made to call a
national democratic free silver conference.
1t Is row said this convention may fix the
date aId appoint delegates from Illinois.
Strenuous efforts will be made by the
administration men to prevent this, as it
is feared the result would be disastrous
to the party in other states. There is but
little prospect of success, however. The
result of its efforts to arouse a free silver
movement in this state, and is now in a fit
condition to amuck through the na-
tional democracy. 1t is the opinion u
many here that the object of the Altgeld
faction now is to establish a democra tic
free silver party. n. o. NJ.