Evening star., 1896-07-06

Gratis have of success without taking up
Teller their candidate. They want to
shift the choice to one between Hill and
Teller. There appears no prospec- that
this will succeed. but the presentation of
the proposition brings the silver democrats
face to face with practical question
which is disagreeable Of contemplation.
A condition Is set up against their theo-
ries- The real outlook is that the con-
yention must choose between Bland and
Teller. The talk of making terms with the
gold democrats is likely to accomplish
nothing but the betterment of Teller 3
prospects If the silver men accept the
logic as presented. they are not likely to
take the turn which will lead them back
into the gold camp. Bland or Teller-that
has been the drift from the first. The
other candidates are so far behind Bland
that II 1t were not for the great number
OF unattached delegates and the shadow
OF Teller, his friends could safely count
MS nomination as assured. 1t is a strange
thing that it is only a shadow cast before
that he has to fear Bland has many
mas none at present.
Teller may never be voted for in the con-
vention. but if he gets any votes he is like
have got to happen, and then he will be
nominated They may never happen 1t
takes just straw to turn the balance
BOies' Boom Growing.
The Boies boom has picked up a little, but
not enough to warrant the opinion that his
prospects are as yet greatly improved. His
sail is still blanketed by the Bland canvass.
If all the avowed candidates could be sub
mitted to caucus. the chances are thas
Bland would at oEce be chosen. The thing
that stands in BANDS way is the threat
that his nomination means party defeat.
This threat applies equally to all his demo-
cratic rivals. If the democrats decide that
their chances of electing one of their own
party are good enough to warrant their
throwing the populists and silver repubii-
cans overheard. Bland will probably be the
nominee A good many are ready to face
certain defeat rather than go out of the
party for a candidate.
Bland willing to Retire.
Bland himself is not one of these It is
almost certain that he would withdraw his
name if he should become satisfied that he
was standing in the way of victory for the
cause. His disposition toward Teller is
very friendly, and he has no objections per-
sonaliy to going outside the party for
candidate If he were a delegate instead
of a candidate he would be Teller man
in all probability. He has written letter
to Gcv- Stone. who has charge of his can
vass here, declaring that he does not want
his candidacy to stand in the way of an
alliance of the silver forces and success to
the silver cause. He says that he has no
motive of personal ambition as strong as
his desire for the success of the cause and
that he thinks everything should be subor-
dinated to the interest of silver. He au-
thorizes his managers to act in this spirit.
They have not made the letter public be-
cause they do not admit that there is any
thing dangerous to success through the
nomination of Bland.
Shaping the Platform.
The plans decided on by the gold men are
calculated to prolong the fight between the
candidates before the convention. They
are disturbing element. though they have
not the power to dictate a policy. Though
they recognize that they cannot secure a
modification of the free silver plank and
cannot prevent the nomination of a free
silver man. they intend to get the rest of
the platform to suit them, if possible A
declaration In favor of an amendment to
the Constitution permitting an income tax
and a denunciation of national banks are
among the things they want to keep out
OF the platform By taking advantage of
the tangled and disorganized condition as
to candidates, they think they may be able
to expurgate the platform of all things ex-
cept free silver, which they object to, and
to have inserted some things of interest TO
the east.
tn,
contribute TO the confusion by giving en-
couragement to some of the weaker candi-
dates. with the hope of keeping up the fight
until they are able to make terms. They
hope, by the same method. to be able to Sc
cure the acceptance of Hill as temporary
chairman. They intend to divide up their
forces among the several candidates in
stead of throwing their entire strength at
once to one man. Some are 20 go to one
candidate. some to another. so distributing
didates in the field and to prevent any con-
centraticn on one candidate
They have begun to couuette with Roas
and Matthews. This accounts. In part for
the apparent Frightening up of Boies. pros
poets, and for the renewed courage of tho
Matthews people. The hope of each candi
date that he may ultimately get the entire
gold vote to turn the balance in his favor.
they count on to make the managers of
each candidate more conciliatory toward
them In the first place. they count on
some support from each candidate to whom
some of their people are promising assist
ance, when Hilrs name Is presented for
temporary chairman. Neither Boies nor
Matthew's. they say, can afford to ALLEVIATE
the gold men who are supporting them by
refusing to stand by the recommended ton
OF Hill by the national committee A num-
Der OF Boiss delegates the Matthews dele
gates, and some of the Bland followers
VIII. they say. decline to join In the effort
to overthrow Hill.
In a similar manner they expect to get
assistance in constructing parts of the
platform.
1t Is quite possible that they oyer-esti-
mate the concessions they can get in this
way. but their adoption of this course NAV
materially influence the nomination in a
way they have not in contemplation
1t Is believed that Bland's success de-
pends upon his getting the nomination on
the first Or second ballot. 1t is thought that
III ne falis to do this the delay will give the
opportunity that is being watched for to
complete the deal for Teller and to turn the
convention to him. The gold men have not
this In mind, but they are probably indif-