The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-07-07
BLAND is STILL IN THE LEAD.
But Boies is Moving Along at Hi.
Heels.

Heels.
Chicago. July 6.-On the eve of the
Democratic n RATIONAL convention. which
conyenes in the Coliseum on the Lake
front, at noon tomorrow, all is confu-
sion. Only one thing looms up like a
searehlight in the fogwhich hangs over
the situation, and obscures the vision
of the wisest and most far-seeing of
the leaders-that is, the convention
viii be for silver ait 16 to l.
As for candidates, the convention is
still cropping in the murk. The din of
the Bland and Boies boomers is deaf
ening, and SO infectious at times that
it almost carries the public off its feet.
Bland is unquestionably in the lead,
so far as actual votes are concerned,
his strength approximating 250 at a
LIBERAL estimate, with Boies moving
along sat his heels with about 200. but
neither is able to demonstrate as yet
how he can win.
In this chaotic condition of affairs
gossip and speculation casts about for
dark horse. VIM. j. Bryan. the boy
orator of the Platte. Vice President
.Adlai Z. Stevenson. John r.. Mclean.
the blue grass orator, Senator Joe. C. S.
White, of California, all share the dis
tmction of being canvaSsed. Even Sen
ator Hill, of New York, is talked OF.
and his famous Elmira speech of 1895
is recalled as an evidence that he is a
bl-metaliist, and would make a strong
compromise candidate. The name of
Ex-Governor James f. Campbell. of
Ohio, IS also heard.
ha
was formally launched to-day, and
eN-Congressman Joe Sibley, of Penn
sylvania, announced his candidacy.
At work in the background is the
Senatorial movement for Teller, with
the free silver Republicans and their
allies, the Populist leaders, straining
every nerve to impress on the conyen-
tion the advisability of nominating the
Colorado man. With all these silver
forces struggling against each other.
with the gold men solid and compact.
ready to obey orders. IT is a shrewd
political prophet who can point the
way out. 1t will require at least an
other day for the fog to lift.
THE TWO-THIRDS RULE.
The silver leaders now admit on
thirds majority is an undiscipIined
mass, running hither and thither, pos
sibly to be stampeded in the end They
started out with the announced in
tention of getting together and ar
ranging a programme to be put
Through by the sheer force of their
majority. They were to abrogate the
two-thirds rule and select their can
didate in caucus of silver men Both
these projects were put aside, and they
are now at the door of the convention
with the question of a candidate open
and a deadlock inevitable. 1t will re-
quire every silver vote in the conven-
tlon to nominate and the friends of any
one candidate can, it the gold men do
not plump their votes to a silver man
who may be formidable but not the
choice of the majority, prevent an early
nomination. This would, of course,
play into the hands of those who are
maneuvering to bring forward Teller
at the opportune time; or if the senti-
ment of the convention refused to yield
to the leader of the ST. Louis boilers,
into the hands of the managers of a
dark horse.
Buck Hinrichsen's poll of the Illi-
nois delegation showing a ma iority for
Bland was confirmed to-day when the
delegation voted AZ to / to support the
Missourian. Kansas and Texas also
fell in line for Bland and these ac-
QUESTIONS made "Silver Dicks" follow
ers very confident, but Boies' boom
also grew apace. Iowa's ex-Governor's
managers received assurances of sup
port from the South, which buoyed up
their hopes.
. But it is a long road to a two-h thirds
majority and Bland has naturally be-
come the target of the friends of all
the other candidates. The dark horses
are especially willing to have the Mis-
sourian draw the fire. 1t is possible
that eventually Bland may reach the
goal, but the most sagacious political
observers seem to believe he may have
reached the top of the hill. After he
has been pulled down they expect to
see Bland cohorts with their blood
aroused, turn on Boies and destroy
him. The Iowa candidate at present
has the support, perhaps, unconscious
ly, so far as he is concerned, of many
of the Eastern gold men, who expect
to bow to the will of the majority.
Bland, they urge, as man of single
idea. In the end the situation seems