The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-07-04
That Bryan Shall Preside Pend
ing Organization
THE SILVER MEN CONCLUDE
That Senator Harris Is Available as
Permanent Chairman
Bryan Expresses His Belief That BIand will
Be Nominated
Friends Of Other Candidates Do Not Appear
to Be Discouraged - Crowds Pour
Into Canton - 1ckinley
Makes Speech


Associated Press Special Wire.
CHICAGO, July 3.-In all probability
Hon. w. J. Bryan of Nebraska will be
temporary chairman and sAnator Har-
ris permanent chairman of~the Demo-
cratic national convention. The choice
has not been oficially made. but can
vass of the situation which has been in
progress ever since the first meeting OF
the representatives of the silver dele
gates last Monday. has resulted in a
general agreement upon the superior
availability Of these two for the respec-
tive places. Bryan is believed espec-
tally to meet the requirements announc-
ed from the first, that the temporary
chairman must be a man who can pre-
sent the issues Of the campaign from
free-silver standpoint in a way that will
command the attention of the country
and sound the keynote Of the campaign.
He has been spoken of as presidential
candidate, but has withdrawn. Gov.
Stone of Missouri, Senator-elect Money
and Hon. c. S. Thomas, chairman of the
Colorado delegation, are also mentioned
for this position. Bryan is, however,
decidedly in the lead. The silver men
are hopeful today that they may be
able to have the man they select des-
ignated by the national committee. They
hope to accomplish this by prevailing
--yI HnA k<~x
bine with the silver men. It is said the
committee stands 81 to % for gold. A
change of three votes will therefore ac-
complish their purpose Failing in this
the minority will make a minority re-
port, presenting a candidate for the
chairmanship.
Not since 1860. when the Democratic
party met in convention at Charleston
and split on the subject of slavery. has
such an irreconcilable difference of opin-
ion existed on great question in issue
as now confronts the delegates who are
assembling here for the Democratic con-
vention. The situation which the Demo-
Gratis faced then has it's analogies in that
which they confront today. The north
ern Democracy. declaring for squatter
sovereignty, later, at Baltimore, nomi-
mated Stephen A. Douglas, while the Sc
ceding southern delegates declaring for
the existence Of slavery in the territories
under federal law, named John c. Breck-
inridge. Today the Democracy from the
Alleghenies west to the Pacific and
from the Potomac south to the gulf, ex-
cept for the break in Wisconsin, Michi-
gan and Minnesota, so far as it's voice
will be heard in the convention next
week, stands solid for free coinage of
silver at 16 to 1, against the equally solid
gold standard Democracy Of the east
At the threshold of the convention the
gold standard Democrats are defeated
two to one. New York and the little
Democratic states of New Jersey and
Connecticut, which have since the war
always exercised dominating influence
in Democratic conventions, and have
each for years named the candidate on
the theory that New York and the small
sister states would be the battle ground
and their votes essential to success, are
to be sent to the rear. The eastern
Democracy may plead and cry aloud
that free silver candidate and a free
silver platform means disruption, dis
aster and ruin, but their pleadings and
their cries fall on deaf ears. The silver
Democracy Is in the saddle and will ride
rough-shod over precedent and tradi-
tion, If necessary. to accomplish their
purpose. This is the set determination
of the leaders. It is in vain that the gold
standard men warn them of the certain
loss OF new York. New Jersey and Con-
necticut at the polls.
They nave reconciled themselves that
In the great boundless west and middle
states Of the Mississippi valley will be
found electoral votes enough to offset
the detection in the east. While there is
neither probability nor even a possibility
of minority bolt. and another candidate
being placed in the field as there was
in 1860, so far as the eastern states arc
concerned there might as well he as
support in the electoral college form
every state east Of Ohio has been yolun- |
tarily relinquished by those in control
for the prospect of a western and south. |
ern alliance.
This remarkable change in the posi- |
tion Of the Democratic national con- |
vention toward New York and the east |
entails other remarkable conditions
which will make the coming conven-
tion memorable. and If its deliberations
are crowned with success in November, /
epoch making in-the history of American
politics. At the door Of the conven- !