The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-06-13
lge. They either lack confidence

do you think that such a platform as
you suggest and the nomination OF can
didate. 1 won't say Mckinley or who. win
at once better the tirnes?'
mo. do not" replied Mr.. Platt. You
can't change times by resolutions and
platforms. The people are very much de-
pressed. Business has been in this condi-
ton for three years. Times will net be
better until a new President is elected
and a new policy inaugurated."
AS / looked at Mr.. Platt I remembered
how Charley Foster and John sherman
had both told me Of Platt's alleged bar
gain with Steve Elkins. through which
Platt was to have the Secretaryship Of the
Treasury, in case Harrison was elected
President, If he would throw the delega-
ton from New York to Harrison
in the convention of 1SSS. There
is no doubt Platt thought he had
such contract. and that he believed Har-
rison had proved false to him iO not car
rying ii out. AT this / wondered what Mr..
Platt expected to get out of this conven-
ton. and asked: Mr.. Platt, why do you
work so hard in politics? 1t must be
very wearing. What do you expect TO get
out of it?"
The answer came quick. He replied
like Yankee by asking another question:
why do you vote. young MANI" said he
Because / am an American citizen, and
I want TO have little 10 do with running
the country
''Well. that's why 1 am in politics" said
Mr.. Platt. II am in 1t because 1 like it.
L have been in it for more than twenty
years, and have got a great deal OF
pleasure out OF it. / have spent great
deal of money on it. and / have never
got dollar out OF it. / don't want any
thing now.''
Don't it make you nervous?" said i.
The weary looking man replied: If 1t
did / should have TO drop 1t. j don't let
politics keep me awake. at night"
Two of the greatest of the Chicago ed
itors arrived here to-day. i refer to Mel
vile L. Stobe and Hermann II. Kohlsaat.
Melville Z. \Stone built up the Chicago
News and made big fortune out OF il.
When he skld 1t to, Victor Lawson for
what was then considered enor-
nous sum am told there was
coupled with the bargain a sal
ary of $4,000 year for ten years, on
condition that Stone would not start
another paper in Chicago during that time.
This ten years is now nearly up, and Chi
cago men are wondering. what Mr.. Stone
will do. Mr.. Kohlsaat bought the Chicago
Herald a little over year ago, paying for
it $1,000 900 in cash and $500. 600 in bonds.
He at once changed the paper from Dem
ocratic to a Republican one, and, notwith-
standing this. it has bigger circulation
and better business than ever. Mr.. Kohl
saat is a SLENDER smooth-faced. blue-eyed
man of forty-three. He dresses in black.
and he looks more like an actor or q
preacher than a newspaper man. He acts,
however more like a preacher than an
actor. He is man of strong convictions,
and he is one Of the few newspaper pro-
prietors who believe in running their pa
pers from the editorial rooms and not
from their business Offices. Mr.. Kohlsaat
is enthusiastic admirer of Mckinley,
and he stands as close to him as any man
in the country. During my talk with him
this afternoon 1 asked him as to what
would probably be the money plank of the
platform He replied: There will be NO
question about it being for the gold stand
ard. / expected to find considerable
difference of opinion when reached here,
and thought we might have a fight in
the convention over the platform, but i
find the question is practically whether 'ex-
shall be used in the wording of the money
plank
Perhaps you can give me the plank as
| it will read?''
II can't do that exactly" replied Mr..
Kohlsaat. ..but think can come pretty
near it. 1t will read about as follows:
The Republican party favors international
bimetallism, but until such an agreement
can be made 1t declares against the free
and unlimited coinage of silver and be-
lieves that the existing gold standard
should be maintained
IT believe continued Mr. Kohlsaat,
that there will also be a sentence based
on the Indiana platform as for instance,
the following: We favor the use of silver
as currency but to that extent only by
which its parity with gold can be main
tained.'"
How about the vice presidency"
"There is considerable talk of Hobart of
New Jersey and some for General Hawley.
of Connecticut. Gen. Joe Hawley would
make a good candidate and would add
strength to the ticket. Were ii not for
| the troubles in New York and his associa-
| ton with Tom Platt would like to see
Levi u. Morton again Vice President. Nor
| ton filled the place well. and he would be
| a great addition to the social side of the
| administration. Mrs. Mckinley is, as you
| know an invalid, and she will not be able
| to fulfill the usual duties of the lady OF
| the White House Mrs. Morton, on the
| other hand. is an acknowledged social lead
| er. She is a brilliant woman, and she
| could be of material assistance to Mrs.
| Mckinley"
| How long will the convention last?"
| "It will be short. 1t will be over by
| Thursday night. 1t ought to last until
Thursday if possible in justice to St
Louis -
Speaking of st. t.ouis and the conven-
ton. / talked with Mr. Clark II. Sampson
| the head of the ST. Louis entertainment
committee, about this tonight. He tells
| me that st. Louis has already spent si40.-
| 600 on the convention. Said he: I'VE only
| expected to spend 5000 but the national
| committee decided that we must have a
new hall. and we built this auditorium for
| 1t at q cost of $4,000 more. We have been
| figuring that the convention would remain
| possible"
How much does st. Louis expect to get
| out of the convention?' 1 asked.
I'VE did estimate at the start tha;
| it would result I'm the spending OF at least
| two and half million dollars here. You
| see. we figured that there would be IOo.ool
visitors; that they would stay five days
and that each man would spend at least
| s25 making total of two million and q
~ ILL IT,