New-York tribune., 1896-09-01
SOUND MONEY THEIR CAUSE.
DEMOCRATS ASSEMBLING AT INDIAN
APOLIS.
DISCUSSING CANDIDATES AND PLATFORM-NO
MOSES TO LEAD THEM YET IN SIGHT
TEXANS WHO DESIRE TO
VOTE FOR MKINIEY.
VOTE FOR M'KINLEY.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrsUNE.l

INDIANAPOLIS Aug 31-Two things only the
Convention which is to meet here on Wednesday
next be depended upon doing-nomnate a
ticket and adopt a sound-money plank in Its
platform. All other questions, like that in
vovng the future organization of the party or
the advisabty Of putting up electoral tickets
in each Of the States and. above all. the ques-
ton as what other panks. In addition to
that commencing sound financial policy. shall
constitute the platform on which rehabilitated
party is to take its stand. are involved In un-
certainty and doubt.
The adoption of the Sound Money plank Will
he marked by practical unanimity, though some
disputes may arise over its exact wording.
The wisdom. on the other hand, of placing a
National ticket in the field will be contested
with more or less obstnacy by an element in
the Convention which believes that the most
effective way to beat Bryan is not by the round
about way OF a third ticket. but by the short
cut Of a direct vote for Mckinley This element
is principally in the delegations from certain
Southern States. notably Texas. but is not likely
to be either large or influential enough to make
much headway among the vast majority OF del
egates determined upon completing the Con-
vention's work by the nomination Of candidates
The friction caused by this mild and not alto
gether rational opposition to the selection OF
ticket threatens at no time to be severe enough
to disturb the atmosphere Of harmony amid
which the patriotic labors of the Convention are
to be performed.
FEW DELEGATES ON THE GROUND.
The number of delegates who are in town is
still insignificant that 1t is difficult to arrive
at conclusion of any value with regard to the
chances which the candidates whose names
hay u me N
the nomination may have before the Cenven-
ton. 1t is no exaggeration to say that tonight,
less than forty weight hours before the meeting
of the Convention. the ratio of newspaper
respondents awaiting developments to bona fide
delegates is no less than 1G to |. 1t leaves an
otherwise unsatisfactory field. it is true, clear
to speculation and conjecture, supplemented by
vague rumors from abroad. which are permitted
TO filter through the office of Chairman Bynum.
but it also makes one mans opinion as good as
another's As explained in these dispatches last
night all this is indication either that inter-
est in the proceedings Of the gathering is lag
ging or that the effect OF the Conventions work
| will not be felt in the coming campaign.
On the contrary, signs continue to multiply.
showing clearly that the movement. started less
| than eight weeks ago, is daily gaining strength.
and that II will assume proportions that never
/
advocates No less than forty-one States are to
be represented in the Convention, and fully 500
delegates, with their alter ates, will occupy
seats In the hall. Few. II any. proxies wi be
sert No paid shouters. touts and plug-uf lies
will mingle in the body Of the Convention
intimidate the galleries. but every one attend
ing will come at his expense without hope
Of reward or the expectation Of being reim-
bursed In this respect it will be a thoroughly
representative gatherings gathering probably
unique in the history of the Democracy.
LACK OF REAL LEADERS
While no new name has within the last twen-
tv-four hours been entered In the list Of candi-
dates there are grounds for believing that none
Of those mentioned so far is destined to carry
| away the prize. At time rich In Presidential
| timber within the memory of the present gen
Grafton at least the Democratic party finds
itself at this crisis in its history poorer than
ever in available material. To each of the
names now prominently before the public seri-
Gus objections have been raised by the very
men who will be called upon to determine the
selection None quite fills the requirements Of
the situation. The least objectionable has noth-
ing more than purely negative qualities to rec
ommend him. OF real leaders there Is not the
slightest trace: of would-be leaders. fatal
abundance.
In vain do the men behind the present move
ment scan the political horizon for the coming
Of a Democratic Moses. Such as they view him.
he doesn't exist He must be a Western man;
no man from the East will do. He must have
been a lifelong Democrat; no recent convert OF
a mere twenty years standing but bred in the
hone rock ribbed uncompromsing and unterri-
fed He must be Free Trader; he must be
pledged to the destruction Of the National bank
ing system; he must be prepared even to swal-
low an income tax. If he can satisfactorily re-
spond to these requirements, questions OF sec
ondary importance may be raised. Is he, Is
he not a friend of the present Administration?
What was his record during the war? If an ex
Confederate, how can he hope to poll the full
strength of the sound-money vote Of his party
IN Northern States? II Northern man. OF no
particular magnetism popularity, what
chance is there Of his carrying a single South
ern State that now Is considered doubtful?
FAVORITE SONS HANDICAPPED.
II these and similar tests applied to the
candidates whose names are now being dis
cussed it will easily be that not one OF
them seems likely to develop great strength
before a Convention at all disposed to he criti-
cal 1t so happens that two State Conventions
have recommended "favorte sons Wisconsin
has indorsed the candidacy of General Bragg
for the Presidential nomination. and Kentucky
that Of General S d. Buckner for second place
an the ticket Each of these two States. has
tba one i'm the person OF Senator Villas. the other
IN that Of Henry Watterson-twoi distinguished
men whom delegates from other States are hon
oring with their support Mr.. Villas presided
at the State Convention which indorsed Cen
eral Bragg: in fact. was instrumental in bring
ing about that action. and Is now understood to
declare that he would. under no circumstances,
stand in the way OF his friends candidacy While
this may be true. II cannot prevent delegates
srorn States other than Wisconsin from voting