Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-07
GORMAN AND CHICAGO
He May Yet Head the Maryland Delega-
ton to the Democratic Convention.
Why He md Other Leaders at First
Decided Not to Go and the
Cause of a Change,

The democratic committee meeting in
Baltimore yesterday did not throw the de-
sired light on the interes ting question as to
whether or not Mr.. German will attend the
Chicago convention. The Senator still has
the matter under advise ment. He has only
to signify Willingness to accept the place,
and his name will promptly head the Mary
land list of Observation-Disclosures Both fac
lions in the state nope for Il favorable an
swer from him. There is TO division on the
money question. Sound money is the shib-
boleth, and Mr.. Germans experience would
make him a valuable worker in the cause
at the national convention
Why They Decided Not to Go.
An interesting story is told of why, sew
eral months ago, the mere famous of the
democratic leaders. with the single excep-
ton of Mr. Hill. decided not to go to Chi
cago. Mr.. Whitney, Mr.. Brice, Mr.. Cor
man and others, one after another, de-
clared that this year, contrary to their
custom, they would remain at home. No
reason WIS given. Everything was left to
conjecture. And conjecture made out of it
all personal disappointment of one kind or
another, and a disinclir a ton to participate
in proceedings which In certain contin-
land ratification meeting
The explanation now in circulate is
that the gentlemen in question were simply
keeping out of the way of what might be
turned into draft The party's future ap-
peared so dark, they were alarmed when
they thought of what might happen if a
desperate hunt for a candidate should be-
gin. with themselves on the ground and in
reach. They remembered the fate of Mr..
Hi at Saratoga-how the New York de
mocracy was in sore straits for a guber-
material candidate; how all the leaders, Mr..
Whitney and Mr.. Hill among the number,
We're unwilling to run; how Mr.. Whitney
remained away. but Mr. Hill came to time;
now the convention called Mr.. Hill to the
chair, and after putting the Gavel into his
nandS put him up as the candidate; and,
lastly. the tide being against the democracy
that year, how he was overwhelmed at the
polls. When they remembered that they
hung their possible booms on the willows.
and decided to remain under the cover of
absence.
Danger to Platform.
But the personal features of the situation
have been slbordinated to the dangers that
have arisen as to the platform. 1t was dis
covered that the silver leaders were going
to the convention in numbers. and for the
purpose of course of trying to secure free
coinage platform. This had to be taken
its supporters must bestir themselves.
Some personal risks would have to be talk
en- AS consequence, the sound money
n en- will appear on the scene under as
capable leadership as that Of the silver
n en-. and the fight over the platform will
for time make the choice of the candidate
a secondary matter.
Talk of Cleveland.
No candidate is yet in sight. There is
more talk of nominating Mr.. Cleveland for
a third term than of nominating anybody
else for a first. Ii all depends. Senator
Jones of Arkansas, free silver man, who
is thinking more about the platform than
about the candidate, says the candidate
will appear in time. like the ram which
Abraham found in the bushes Mr. Jones
is a good party man, fair and open fight
er, and he wants TO win. But his figure of
speech happens to be unfortunate. The
ram was knitted. Is that to be the fate of
the Chicago nominee?