Evening star., 1896-07-18
PARTY TIES TO BE BROKEN.
There Will BE Much Boiling q
Tickets in MichfRan
OF The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence OF The Evening Star.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, July IL, 1896,
lhere VIII be more mixing in Michigan
politics this year than ever before and the
financial question will be at the bottom of
1t ALL Old party ties will be disregarded
as they never have been in the past. and
the bolters will be so numero Is that bolt
lEg will become quite respectable The
bclterS Will be from the republican and
democratic parties alike, and the losses
and accessions to both parties from This
exercised independence of the voters will
De SO numerous that 1T is now quite prob
lematic what the results will be-
III the election We're to be held today
there Is little doubt that the silver cause
would win sweeping victory in this state
Out four months of educational campaign-
irg an unprecedented fruit crop in western
Mlchlsan and farm crops generally above
the average may make vast difference in
the results.
Neither of the old parties has a nonop-
oily OF the silver sentiment. Some of the
most prominent of the republican states
men of Michigan have tied themselves IN
TO the white metal and the St Louis plat
1orm goes hard with them. Although the
Chcago platform declared uneultiyocallv
Tor silver there are any number of promi-
nent and influential democrats who do not
subscribe to the faith and will not do so
on election day, unless it is made TO appear
and on the ticket is the lesser of two evils
with Mckinley and Mckinleyism as the
other alternative.
Where Silver Sentiment 4. Stronce.t
Among the republicans the silver senti-
ment is strongest in the farming district
and among the workingmen. The prolong-
ed depression in business has undo lbtedly
had much to do with its growth and fifty
cent wheat has been an important factor
In Its PRONUNCIATION. The .ilverites have
for three or four years been working up
this sentiment, while the hard money AMOS
ties have been silent, neither speaking for
their faith nor spreading literature of an
improving nature. The silverites have in
tact, had things practically their own way
Tor long time past, but they will not
have clear field much longer
The st. Louis platform gives forth no un-
certain sound on the financial question and
1t was solidly indOrsed by the Michigan
delegation to the republican national con-
ventlon. The national platform, however,
is at variance with the state platform
adopted two years ago and four years ago.
1t Is at variance, also. with the platforms
upon which half of the Michigan Congress
men went before the people two years ago
ana upon which they expected to stand this
year Congressman Mines of the third
district was elected as q stanch friend TO
silver. Thomas of the fourth stood on q
silver platform. Smith of the fifth declared
nimseif IN favor OF silver wnen nominated
two years ago and repeated it when uomi-
| mated this year, with the further declara-
tlCn that he was also in favor of gold and
paper money, but he now announces him
self on the republican platform. The sixth
district has been a silver district for four
years, and before that was decidedly green
backish In its tendencies. The seventh dis
trict was long represented by a greenback
congressman, and the present incumbent
Two years ago was silver advocate. The
ninth district has strong silver senti-
ment, and SO has the eleventh.
Problem for Republican,.
If the state convention follows the ma
tional convention and declares unellivo-
cally for the gold standard it may make
the shedding very hard for several of the
republican candidates for Congress who
two years ago committed themselves to the
silver cause and have since been p: eaching
1t. An open declaration for gold also
would make the results in the state some
what problematic as sentiment exists to-
day, and the framing of the state platform
will not be the easiest and most pleasant
operation to be performed when the breth-
rem meet in this city on August 5 to nomi-
nate a ticket.
The various gubernatorial candidates are
finding 1t to their advantage or think so
at least, to cultivate one or the other wings
Of the financial division. Mayor PinRree
although he accepts the nomination of Nc
k1nley In good ralth and declares that he
will vote for him, is a silver advocate
Col Bliss is for gold. Conant IS for gold
while Aitkens record in Congress as an
earnest advocate of silver is well known
ODonnell has leaning toward silver. and
Wheeler has not committed himself on
either side The strong silver Sentiment
and the necessity of doing something to
hold the silver vote may result to the ma
terial advantage Of Pingree. He is looked
upon as a vote catcher, and 1t is conceded
that he would make the strongest run of
any candidate whom the republicans could
put up, and this, with the threa tened holt
among the farmers and workingmen will
help him. The republicans are beginning
to concede that the strongest man they can
get will be none too strong this wear to
carry them through, and, besides, If they
turn Pingree down he is more likely than
not to be taken up by the democrats. and
this will mean still further DETECTION of
republican votes The way things are shan
ing Is favorable to the candidacy of De-
troits picturesque mayor.
The Coming Democratic Convention
The democratic nominating convention
has not yet been called, but it will be held
the second or third week in August, proba-
bly, in this city. The free silver element
will inevitably have control of it in every
way. The federal Office holders will not in
terfere this time, as nothing pertaining TO
the interests Of The administration is at