The evening times., 1895-08-16
Probable Effect Of the Confer
ence on the Party.
WHAT IT ACCOMPLISHED
Politicians of the Opposite Stripe
Do Not Think It Was Repre-
sentative Gathering-An Analysis
of the Delegates From an InfIu-
entail Point of View.

The conference of Democrats favorable
to the free coinage of silver has passed, not
like ship In the darkness but as a vessel
In that DIM, shadowy, uncertain period
which divides night and day. 1t was in no
sense of the word a clearly outlined, sta
tionary, deterniinable object, but a sort
of dimly lighted panorama, which leaves
the observer weary-eyed and dissatisfied
as to Its destiny.
The fact that strong address to the
American people was promulgated docs not
in itself, politicians here say, constitute
an element of strength as the same declara-
tion of principles and set of resolutions
could have been prepared with equal vigor
and fortuitous effect by one man unalded
and alone. He could at the same time, and
with equal propriety have assumed to rep
resent the great Democratic party. But
assumption is not authority.
1t does not require an expert mathemati-
clan to develop the fact that the so-called
silver conference was in nowise repre-
sentative gathering of Democrats The
roster of the meeting shows that a total OF
eighty-five members were in attendance
These Include many who have lost their
right TO vote by reason of long residence in
this city.
NOT REPRESENTATIVE.
The effective strength of any party is
always estimated by the representation
they are able to obtain in Congress. This
is the only tang lille gauge the people have
by which to ascertain the fluctuating
power and popularity of the various politi-
cal organizations.
After suffering an almost unprecedent-
edly disastrous defeat at the polls, the
Democrats will have in the next HOuee
when the roll is called 1O4 Members out
of a total OF 356. or this number seven
of them were present in the conference, the
most conspicuous Of them being Cox, of
Tennessee, Livingston, Of Georgia, and
Jones, of Virginia. Seven as compared to
1O4 leaves an enormously large proper
tion of the Democratic membership in the
lower branch of Congress entirely with
out representation.
The next Senate when it convenes will
contain thirty seven Democrats. or these
Messrs. Harris, Jones OF Arkansas, Call
and Daniel responded to an invitation ex-
tended to the great leaders OF the party.
Jul Us dkd -thIcC thohSo lhC
centage of representation a trifle out Of
all due proportion.
ASSUMPTION OF POWER.
In other words eleven men came to this
city and assume to act for total dele
CATION in Congress OF 141 charged with
fighting the battles and protecting the
interests OF more than 100000 Demo
cratic vorers. Thus 1t necessitates
considerable expansion of the imagina
ton to accept as finality the assertion
| that the meeting just concluded was In
| every sense of the word representative
one.
The question of the zeal OF conscientious
| ness of those in attendance does not enter
| into the calculation The convictions of
one man, or any number of men, are
not binding upon their associates in a
| political party where the majority rule,
| and hence the deduction must be drawn
| By the general public that the conference
could under no possibility be construed
| as having a right to speak for the great
| party of which they form such small
| minority.
As a matter of fact, the only object
| attained by the meeting was the evolving
| of a declaration of principles similar to
| dozens of such documents, as are almost
daily, at this season of the year, adopted
| by some State, county or municipal Con-
| vention and sent broadcast to the people.
! There is nothing strikingly original or
| suggestive in the papers prepared.
| sPEECHMAKING OPPORTUNITY.
In addition to this, a number of gentle
| men were afforded an opportunity of ma king
speeches This was equally harmless with
the resolutions adopted. This will make
| anti-campaign literature of mild type,
| and in all human probability will not
change one opinion or influence one vote
| in the next election.
Anti-silver Democrats say that to sun.
| up the actual benefit to follow the con
| ference it can be stated in a single word
| nothing. 1t was made to serve the purpose
of safety valve for those present. The
supercharged delegates temporarily in
fected the atmosphere with their indigna-
ton and enthusiasm.
Then an adjournment was effected land in
few long summer days the whole matter
will have been forgotten. 1t is bet of
gold eagles to hickory Duts that the recent
conference will not influence one vote in
the next national convention of the