The herald., 1896-06-15

upon any Of the planks Of the platform
except that relating to the financial
policy Of the party. With the selection
Of Q candidate to head the ticket 30 COM
speculation, the financial question mas
almost entirely monopolized the atten-
ton of the party men in hotel corridors
no less than in retired apartmetnts OF
the party managers ever since tney pe-
gan to congregate here, at the begin
ming Of the past week. This question ID
still claiming the greater share on con-
sideration and will continue to nolo its
place in the front rank OF speculation
and deliberation until 1t Is finally settled
by the convention itself.
Two problems present themselves. The
first Is. how much to do Tor silver; the
second, how little to do for gold. AROUND
these questions range the speculation
and interest Of all.
These lines Of policy will be presented
to the committee on resolutions, upon
meeting the different shades OF opinion
of the delegates. These ares
First-To declare in explicit terms for
q gold standard.
Second-To take q positive stand for
the free coinage Of silver at the ratio OF
18 to independent Of the course Of all
other nations.
Third-To declare practically for gold
and against any further recognition to
silver than the present laws give. except
upon International agreement, but with
out mentioning in terms thefgold stand
ard and with few words Of encourage
ment to the friends Of silver.
The contest will be principally be-
tween the advocates Of the first and sec-
ond propositions and, as 1t now appears,
the outcome will be q compromise be-
tween these, which means, of course,
that the platform will be almost all that
the gold men will demand. The ex-
treme gold forces will be led by the New
York and Massachusetts delegations,
seconded strongly by other eastern and
Mississippi valley delegates. -
The advocates of an extreme decloG4-
tion for silver are confined largely to the
delegations from the inter-mountain
states. with some supporting Pacific
coast and possibly q few scattering dele
gates from other sections. Their rep
resentation in the committee will be
larger than in the convention, but in
neither sufficient to obtain more than a
respectful hearing. They are expected
to announce that no compromise what
ever will be acceptable to them and thus
practically eliminate themselves from
the work Of preparing the platform.
With the feature Of the silver question
removed. 1t is not believed its delibera-
tions will be greatly prolonged.
THE SECOND PLACE.
Ono important question remaining un-
settled is that Of a vice-presidential can
didate. Next to- the financial plank the
filling Of this place on the ticket has en-
gagged the greatest share of speculative
attention during the week. but appar-
emily opinion has not been so we'll can
vassed upon this subject as upon Others
The names Of candidates have been sug-
gested. including those of Messrs. Ho-
bart Of New Jersey, Governor Morton
and Gen. Tracy of New York, Governor
Bulkley and Senator Hawley Of Con-
necticut. Governor Hastings Of Penn
sylvania. Representative Dingley Of
Maine, H. Clay Evans Of Tennessee, Hon.
M. H. de Young of California, ex-Goy-
ernor Lippett and Ex-Governor Brown
of Rhode Island. and General McAlpin
Of New York.