The San Francisco call., 1896-06-21
The Ex.Secretary Still Declares
He Does Not Want the
Nomination.
HIS MISSION AT CHICAGO
Will Issue a Statement Urging His
Party to Desert the White
Meta.

sound money men OF the Democratic party
are looking to William G. Whitney as the
natural leader of the single standard in
the Chicago convention. He has received
since Wednesday letters from conspicuous
men in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Penn
sylvania. Michigan, New Hampshire and
New Jersey, thanking him for his deter
minatioh to battle against the free-silyer
forces. These messages have contained
pledges OF support in carrying out any
plan which Mr.. Whitney may have formed
for pushing gold to the front. Mr.. Whit
ney saw President Cleveland in Washing
ton about two weeks ago, and the tinan-
cial question was talked over by them.
Mr.. Whitney also saw Mr.. Lamont in
Washington and conversed with him on
the same subject.
Mr.. Whitney has adopted a course of
complete reserve until he shall have
reached Chicago to begin personal work
among the delegates, and with men
through whom he can influence the acts
of the delegates. He has not decided on
the day that he will go to Chicago, but it
will probably be about July 5. When
there he will make some written state
ment of his reasons for urging the con-
vention to adopt gold standard.
Mr.. Whitney considers that the Demo
Gratis on sound money platform, with
sound money candidate, will have an
equal chance to win against Mckinley
and the Republican platform of gold and
protection. This view is shared by other
notable members of the party.
The possib bility of Mr.. Whitney being q
his repeated statements that he was not,
was revived again yesterday. In talking
of it he said: Il am not candidate for
the Presidential nomination. l am going
to Chicago to do what [ can for sound
money. Some of ny friends think l can
do something"
General T. c. Catchings of Mississippi is
a sound money man from soft money
State. A short time ago, he said last
night, his State was Tor gold. 1t still had
four gold men among its seven Repre-
sentatives in Congress. The other three
were rampant for silver. So were the two
Senators. The General believes that some
of the gold Representatives will fail of
election this year, and that, unless the
tide OF free silver sentiment Is stemmed
soon. nearly all the gold men will be over
whelmed in the food.
81 am not discussing politics, however" I"
he added, "and l do not care to go into
the subject. l may say that | think we
will have very hard time in trying to
turn the silver men from their set pur-
pose. An earnest and persistent effort will
be made, but l cannot venture a predic-
tion as to the result. / can only hope
that, whatever may be the financial plank
at Chicago the Democrats will win.
II think the party will remain intact in
the South. We have many other oonsid-
erations in that section that will keep US
all in line at the last moment. no matter
what may be the general policy adopted
by the party for the political campaign"
1t appears that bankers and other busi-
ness men interested in the maintenance of
the present gold standard are not going to
rest content with the declaration upon
that point in the ST. Louis platform.
Efforts are already being made through
various banking and business channels to
arouse a sentiment throughout the coun-
try in favor of the adoption of similar
plank by the Chicago convention. Per-
haps the most comprehensive movement
in that direction is being made by Harvey
Fisk & Sons, who have large number of
bankers and investment correspondents
throughout the country. They sent out a
circular yesterday setting forth the i'm
portance of educational work to remove
ignorant notions and prejudices in favor
of cheap money. In conclusion the firm
says:
1--WE suggest that, irrespective of party
affiliations, you at once communicate
with tue delegates and alternates to. the
Chicago Convention from your district
urging the Importance of the adoption of
a plank declaring in unqualified terms for
the maintenance of the present gold
Standard