Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-24
Ex-Governor Francis to Have Sound
Money Convention.
DESIGNED 70 WIN over DEMOCRATS
The Plan is Approved by the Ad-
ministration.
A GOOD EFFECT EXPECTED

EX-Gov. Francis, chairman of the Mis-
souri, state democratic central committee,
has intimatei to President Cleveland the
course he intends pursuing in order to head
off any attempt on the part of the free Sill
yer democrats of his state to call snap
convention to declare in favor of the white
metal in the manner that such action was
taken by the free silver democrats of Illi-
nois.
This plan is regarded as a most ingen-
ious one, likely to do great service for the
administration, and to help materially the
cause of sound money" Mr.. Francis
plan Is simply to call a convention within
a few days of Missouri democrats to con-
slider the money question, this convention
to meet in about two months. 1t is pro-
posed to prosecute active campaign in
the meantime in order to win the democ-
racy of Missouri over to sound money"
Mr. Carlisle will be asked to go to Missouri
to make one or more speeches on the finan-
cial question, and it is the intention OF MT.
Francis and his friends to secure as many
advocates of the administration policy
as possible to help in shaping public opin-
ion of their state SO that when the dele
gates to the conven ion are selected a ma
jority may favor sound money" princi-
pies.
Why This Move Was Decided On.
1t is said that Mr.. Francis and other
leading administration democrats Of Mis-
souri, decided on this course because they
fear a move on the part of the silver men
looking toward the calling Of a convention
within very short period, and In the pres
ent state of public opinion in Missouri 1t is
feared that such convention, even If not
packed" for the purpose of indorsing sill
yer, would have result quite similar to
that of the Springfield meeting of Gov.
Altgeld, Mr.. Hinrichsen and their follow
erS. If a silver convention were called TO
meet two or three weeks hence, so that
the money question could not be discussed
beforehand, even sound money democrats
think the outcome of it would be detri-
mental to their interests. On the other
hand, they think that an active campaign
will change public sentiment and that a
delayed convention will pronounce in their
favor.
There is no reason why the silver men
might not call a convention to meet at
once even in view of the proposed action
on the part of the Missouri democrats,
but it is confidently believed that the ac-
ton of Mr.. Francis and his friends will
prevent this course being taken. Should
the silver men wish to precipitate such
a convention the administration democrats
will declare that they are afraid to de-
lay action because they realize that a ma
terial change in public sentiment is TAX
ing place. 1t would be claimed they are
afraid of a free discussion of the ques-
ton and it is not thought likely that I'M
der these circumstances the free silver
men can do anything but indorse the ac-
ton of the sound money democrats and
enter the campaign of education which
will follow with determination to win
on the plan proposed by their opponents.
A Good Effect Expected.
The fact that in many of the states the
administration democrats have opposed
the holding of conventions to consider the
money question gives especial force to the
move of the Missouri democrats which,
it is thought, will have a good effect
throughout the country. This disinclina-
ton was brought about by feeling that
in the present condition of the public
mind a convention held anywhere in the
west or south would result to the diSad-
vantage of sound money men. Now that
the latter have come to believe that pub
lie sentiment is changing there Is feeling
that the silver fight may be taken up in
some sections of the country in conven-
money" can be Endorsed in this way the
effect will be beneficial on the entire coun-
try.
it is said that the administration ap-
proves of Mr.. Francis plan, and that every
thing possible to forward the movement on
the part of MIR. Cleveland and Mr. Carlisle
will be done In perfecting the details OF
this plan it is possible that still further
delay than that suggested will be made.
may be allowed to pass before the conveh-
ton is held. But the course adopted by
the democrats of Missouri indicates that
that state will, during the next few
months take a very prominent part in the
determination of the silver question.