New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-09

programme of political and financial revolution.
Compared with the empty and sonorous plati-
tudes, the false pretences and equivocations OF
the Chicago platform of four years ago. TO-
days revised declaration OF principles seems al
most brutal In its frankness and directness.
The new Western and Southern leaders, VINO
have grasped the reins Of party power have at
least the courage Of fanaticism, and all the level
ling features Of their creed-the free ana uh-
limited coinage OF a cheapened dollar; the pay
ment of a Government obligation In debased
coin: the attempted abrogation OF gold contracts
through legislation: the imposition of an income
tax In spite Of the Supreme Courts disapprovaI;
the abolition of National banks; the restriction
Of the functions OF the Federal Judiciary; the
relaxation of Civil Service rules and the rehabil-
tation Of the discarded spois system-are COM
pressed with logical consistency within the COM
pass of platform Of scarcely a dozen para
graphs.
The once paramount and vital question or tar
iT and revenue legislation is sought to be rele-
gated to obscurity in the colorless announce
ment that tariff duties should be levied for pur-
poses OF revenue" The Cleveland Administration
is not condemned in explicit terms. although 1t Is
savagely censured by indirecton, and the sole
personal fling at the nominal head of the party
three times it's candidate for the Presidency and
the accepted cause Of its present decentralization
and decay is to be found in academic declara-
tion against the eligibility of any citizen for
third Presidential term. In their hour Of triumph
the silver leaders could, Of course afford to be
fairly moderate and it is to their credit. perhaps
that the intense and vindictive hatred or Mr.
Cleveland and his Administration, which Is as
much anything else the real spring Dehihd
the free-silver movement in the Western ana
Southern wing of the party, should not have
found a more decided expression in this years
National platform
ALTGELD'S UNwELCOME SURPRISE
The most surprised man. perhaps, In Chicago
tonight Is Governor Altgeld For the last few
days-ever since the Peoria Convention ad-
journed, In fact-the friend OF Most has oeeh
struttng about, proclaiming to the world that
he carried in his pocket the delegation or the
State OF Illinois. The members OF that delega-
ton chafed somewhat at first under this rather
brutal assertion Of ownership on the part or the
Governor There were mutterings and threats
Of what this and that delegate would do In case
Governor Altgeld persisted in making the collars
worn by his followers too conspicuous, but the
crack Of the party lash drove the snarling pack
to their kennels in quick order. and discipline
was easily re-established and maintained On
the floor OF the Convention and in the dinerent
headquarters no one ever presumed to doubt
the Governors ability to impose his will
upon the delegation. In the early stages or the
pre-Convention canvass. indeed the attitude or
the great Anarchist Governor largely dis
cussed Would he support this candidate or
that? Would he consent to having the name Of
citizen Of the State Of Illinois presented to the
Convention? Would he decree the condemnation
Claya la md In re
be adopted. or would he graciously content to
MEASURE his contempt by impressive silence?
These and kindred questions were passed with
hated breath from mouth to mouth In the eyes
Of the gaping multitudes in the hotel corridors
md on the curbstones the Governor assumed
gigantic proportions.
From undoubted possession OF the Illinois dele
cation he passed In popular fancy to absolute
proprietorship Of the Convention. The local
newspapers, proudly conscious OF the fact that
their State possessed IN its Executive one OF
the biggest demagogues and humbugs the world
ever produced, exhibited him to visiting states
mon ms a notable freak and ascribed to him an
influence and power which he probably never
could have rghtfully claimed. He was by turns
the evil spirit that with unheard-of malignity
led the poor old Democratic donkey to the edge
of the abyss, political Svengcli whose mana
Aeair he was represented a second Macchia-
velli putting a practical test crafty schemes
for completely converting the Democratic party
into one Of socialism and anarchy. and exchang-
ing the tiger FOR the torch. He was TO pull the
wires and direct the moves on the political chess
board, and when at last the great man announced
that he would support Bland In preference TO
Boies for the reason that the latter had ap-
proved Of Cleveand's attitude during the Chi
cago riots. while the former had Justify cneered
th..s 10 n
conniving at and nursing into complete growth
reign Of terror, the supporters OF the Anarchist
Governor fell on each others neck and said:
He has spoken; what's the use or noiuinB
Convention now?'
Governor Altgeid seemed great man sure
enough II he could only have rested on his
laurels there and then, had he only been con-
tent with dominating the political situation In
Illinois In an evil moment however, he looked
for new fields to cover. Not satisfied with CIV
ing directions to his heelers and thugs he as
pired to lay down line Of conduct to such old
v heel horses as Blackburn, Harris George and
others like them. Presently one began reading
of mysterious conferences sought by Democratic
leaders and United states senators by the score |
with the al-powerful Governor of Illinois. All |
ne away impressed with the absolute control
exercised by him over the delegation OF his
state II added several inches TO his figure and |
II likewise made him less accessible TO his fol-
lovers.
THE RULE OF THE BOSS THROWN OFF.
And one fine morning they woke to find that
the collar they had worn so long with infinite |
compIacency had begun TO grow heavy and cut |
into the fl. sh This morning while the Gov |
ernor was away. probably, they burst the lock
and loosened the collar considerably. They |
served notice on him subsequently that they |
were preparing TO chuck the whole thing into
the lake They'll do IT. too. That's the most
interesting part OF it. 1t all happened at a meet
Ing Of the delegation this morning. The dele
gates simply concluded that they were tired;
tbev had had enough OF being led about ia
belied" They would start in their own ac-
,ount. SO it was determined that, after Bland
had received single cNlplimentary vote, they
This may me an Vice-President Stevenson or
Judge Worthington
A resolution similar to that adopted In the
Illinois meeting was adopted by the Alabama