Evening star., 1896-07-03


silver without separating themselves from
the party and then to make another fight
for control of the party organization.
They hope to make their fight impressive
by the distinguished names which they will
associate with 1t. and they think that by
speaking as democrats what they say will
be more effective. They will try to read
this convention out of the party.
Senator Mitchell Of Wisconsin said to me
today: IF the silver men have got to con-
troll the convention my only hope Is that
they will nominate a man who can be de-
feated''
This Is the general sentiment of the gold
democrats. Their most earnest wish for
the coming campaign will be the defeat of
their own party.
The silver men. therefore. will have to
suner fire from the rear constantly during
their battle with the republicans.
Hot Fight Over OrsanizntiOn.
Indications are that there will be hot
night In the convention over the organiza-
tion- The gold men are not disposed to
surrender anything. They will insist upon
the right of the present national commit
tee to select the temporary chairman with
out interference. and intend to put a gold
man in that position if 1t can be done by
any method that can be devised. Word has
come from New York that MIR. Hill Is to be
made temporary chairman at any cost.
Chairman Harrity received the silver
steering committee politely when they call
ed on him Tuesday to state their demands.
but his listening to them was not due to
any weakening on his part. but to the fact
that he did not want to expose his position
and excite further antagonism before he
and his associates are ready to move. The
gold men have been waiting for the arrival
of Nr. Whitney and the eastern contingent,
and have, meanwhile. tried to give out the
impression that they have despaired of do
Ing anything. and will put up but a per-
functory fight.
This was merely a mask behind which to
gain time. The eastern contingent comes
today. The announcement of their depar-
tIre from New York yesterday was the
signal for bolder talk. and now Mr.. Harrity
ard the rest of the gold men on the present
national committee want it understood that
they are not to be dictated to. AS the mat
ter IS stated in their behalf, they know
they cannot win in this convention but
they expect to work up such a row as will
discredit the convention and further their
general plan to defeat the ticket at the
Polls when nominated.
Mr.. Harrity's plans at present contem-
plate the seating of Senator Hill as tenn
pcrary chairman by the edict of the COM
mittee without permitting the convention
te vote on the question. A dispatch from
New York outlines this plan briefly, and
Indicates the intention to drive the silver
men to desperation and violence by arbi-
trarily overriding them in the preliminaries
while the present national committee has
authority. syn
The Plan of the Hour.
The statement is made that the silver
majority can be driven to block all pro-
ceedings in their effort to make the voice
of the majority heard. The temporary
chairman designated by Mr.. Harrity will
hold to the gavel. and if the silver men
put up SOME one else to preside there will
be two temporary presiding officers. and
the silver majority will be regarded by the
national committee as boilers.
The folly of such n plan is so obvious to
everybody here that it could hardly be
thought possible of succes by any one ex-
cept MIR. Harrity, and those who look at
the situation over the distance from New
York. There Is no do Ibt felt, however
that 1t is Mr. Harrity's plan, but 1t is not
thought he will ever attempt to carry 1t
out Mr. Whitney will see the folly of 1t
as soon as he looks over the ground here,
and very few people who know the prac-
teal Senator Hill believe that he will
lend himself 1t is simply the plan Of the
hour. which is giving the few gold men
here an opportunity to shake their heads
wisely. to wink the other eye. and to de-
clare: You Just wait and see.''
Tine silver men do not believe anything
of the sort will be attempted, but they
are so arranging their plans as to guard
against every contingency Their determi-
nation to have none but silver men on
guard and to make no sort of concessions
seems to be fixed and there is no prospect
of it's being changed. Their present idea
Is to make Bryan of Nebraska temporary
chairman. and Senator Harris permanent
chairman. If they become convinced, how
ever. that there is to be serious trouble
over the temporary organization through
al arbitrary effort of Harrity to take pos
session Of it. Senator Blackburn will be
selected for temporary chairman.
The Importance Of the temporary chair
manship is not that 1t will curtail the
powers of the silver men. They have the
power to do exactly as they please, as to
the permanent organization The objection
speech. which usually sounds the keynote
OF the campaign. The majo rity do not
want this speech to be in denunciation Of
what it Is foregone conclusion the con-
vention will do.
TwO-Thirds Rule to Stand.
1t is decided that the two-thirds rule will
stand The gold men contemplate this with
some satisfaction, and claim 1t Is a small
victory.
1t Is. however. the deliberate act Of the
silver leaders and Its object to take 1t out
of the power of the eastern contingent to
make selection from among the free coin
age candidates. and to throw their votes to
him. making nomination. which the ma
jority of the silver men do not want The
leaders want to gain time and this two
thirds rule serves this purpose. If 1t be-
comes troublesome. after 1t has served its
purpose. the majority can suspend 1t any
time.
A story has been circulating this morning
that letter has been received from Senator
Teller by Senator Dubois, declaring that he
would not accept the democratic nomina-
ton. This is not correct The letter re-
ceived from Mr.. Teller is Of an entirely diff
ferent nature.
The name of Gen. Schofield is mentioned