The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-06-25
THE EIGHT DELEGATES IDEA
SEEMED TO HAVE THE MOST
FRIENDS IN THE LOBBIES
YESTERDAY.
THE CAUCUStS THAT WERE HELD LAST MIGHT
The Silver Men Decided to Have Eight
Delegates to Chicago-GOld Men
Will Await Today's Convention
for Decisive Action.

The hotel Hobbies were crowded most
all day yesterday with an eager throna
of politicians who were busy tlbo wing
and asking what was going on. The
situation early in the day had simmered
down as to whether or not the silver
wing of the Democracy was to have four
or eight delegates to Chicago. Some of
the factions were still contcnding for
four, while the bosses in the interest of
harmony were speaking for eight. Dur
ing the afternoon Judge Reagan appear
ed on the scene of action and spoke in
favor OF only four but later on it was
given out by some of his friends that
he had agreed on the eight delegate
dark. Last night the silver men held a
caucus in the court house and agreed
that today's convention should send eight
delegates to Chicago. There was some
opposition to this as was made manifest
in the Hobbies last afternoon, but the
minority was overcome, and the eight
delegation theory was carried through
with n whoop. Thus will the situation
confront the convention today. 1t was
given out last night that all the delegates
were not exactly satisfied with the out
look and would probably try to block
the caucus movement in the open con-
vention today, but of course that is mere
ly u matter of conjecture at present
and the kickers may be brought into line
by the meeting hour today. There were
quite an additional arrival of silver and
gold delegates yesterday and last night
and there is possibly 400 in all on the
ground at present. The situation among
the silver factions had narrowed down
yesterday to the one issue about the
eight delegates, the fight of Sunday was
passed and Bailey's friends had been
pacified by the assurance that he would
be on the ticket whether or not there
was anybody else on it. There is some
talk of a senatorial boon between Hogg
and Bailey being at the bottom of the
present fight, which, if true will make
the contest interesting from start to
finish as both gentlemen are fighters
from away back. In view of the situa-
ton as it appeared last night, much inter
est will be attendant upon the conven-
ton which meets this morning.
AS was indicated yesterday morning,
the sound money contingent has not APP
peared in force and the convention today
is not likely to be a prodigious affair.
The caucus last night was attended by
only n fair number and no attempt was
made to outline plan of work for today.
The question of carrying out the pur-
poses of the call was discussed and the
idea was general that n strong delegation
should be sent to Chicago and an electo-
raj ticket nominated. Judge Clark was
frank to say that he would under no cir
cumstances vote for free silver candi-
date for political office, and suggested
that it might be we'll to discuss the feast
bility of sending a contestng delegation
to the national convention. He admitted
that the silver faction was sure to dOmi
nate the Chicago convention and limited
at an embarrassment that might arise
what would be done with gold electoral
ticket, if there were no gold candidates
nominated at Chicago? The question of
placing a state ticket in the field was
briefly considered and while some were
in favor of nominating ticket today it
was the view of the majority that such
action was not within the authority of
the convention. Besides, it is hardly
probable that a ticket could be selected
in day, made up of men who would
make the fight. 1t is difficult at the
present time to get men to accept cand-
dacies which do not promise pie.
From private talks with sound money
men. it seems that the certainty of
silver platform and ticket at Chicago has
the leaders for any accom-
plishment within Democratic lines. The
of Hill, Harrity and other east
ern machine Democrats to accept the sill
yer platform seems to point to harmoni-
Gus action mt Chicago and harmonious
action there is believed to mean slump
to Mckinley throughout the Union. In
fact. reports show II widespread inten-
ton among sound money Democrats to
vote for Mckinley as the most direct
way of striking down free silverism,
and this intention is probably RESPONSE
bic for the lack of interest shown recent
ly by sound money Democrats in the
Hardy organization.
Taken all in all the sound money con-
yention today does not promise anything
very great, but delegation to Chicago
will he chosen and an electoral ticket
nominated. Steps will he taken looking
to strengthening of the sound money
organization, but unless Chairman Har-