Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-17

The printed stories representing the ad-
ministration as in a panic over the recent
show of strength by the silver men are
pronounced an exaggeration of the situa-
ton. Some encouragement is admitted
but no panic. The fight is going on, and
will be made as hot as possible.
Not Accurately Advised.
The administration has not had accurate
advices from distance. The result in Ala
bama Is case in point. Reports from that
state, prepared for administration con-
sumption were strongly in Clark's favor up
to the day Of the primaries. The sound
money champion was declared to be max
Ing wonderful race, and as likely to win
It, This in the home Of Morgan and Pugh
was full of the happiest promise, and was
expected In other southern states. But, as
mas now been shown, there was no justifl-
cation whatever for such reports. Mr..
Clarke developed very little strength. and
was distanced in the race. He carried only
bakers dozen of counties.
Anxious About Other Localities.
One of the discouraging effects of these
Alabama returns is to bring into question
administration advices from other local
tiles. Is Secretary Smiths estimate of the
Georgia situation correct? Has 1t been in
huenced to any degree by his hopes? Is
Kentucky as safe as Mr.. Carlisle has been
LED TO believe? The convention there will
not be held sooner than the middle of May
and maybe not until later, and will the
action of that body be Influenced by the
SOLID front put up by the silver men in
and maybe, Georgia?
These are regarded as important cues
lions, and, warned by it's experience with
Alabama, the administration. from now on,
pndaQv0r n he
worthy information obtainable from locali-
ties where contests are in progress. Roseate
hopes, founded on goosebone predictions,
are to give way to hard facts, no matter
how unwelcome.
Learning Another Lesson.
The sound money men are also learning
another lesson. Some of the ablest of them
had determined at one time not to attend
the Chicago convention. Personal dis
gruntlements of one kind or another had
operated to make them Indifferent to the
work to be transacted by that body. Sem
ators German and Brice and Mr.. Whitney
were quoted as among those certain to re-
main at home. 1t looked, indeed, as If Sem
ator Hill might he the only man of the
highest tactical skill present to do battle
against free coinage.
Inc silver men were quick to seize this
point, and forthwith arranged to send their
most experienced men to the convention.
Mr.. Vest and Mr.. Cockrell of Missouri, and
Mr.. Harris of Tennessee, have not been ac-
customed to attend national conventions,
but they are going to Chicago, and will be
joined there by many other free coinage
democrats of eminence, and all will work
together to force the white metal on the
party.
Leaders Who VIII Go.
There is reported now a change Of pur-
pose on the part of the leaders of the
sound money side. 1t Is said that both
Mr.. Whitney and Mr.. Brice will attend
the convention, and some pressure may be
brought to bear to induce Mr.. German
to do as Maryland democrats are for sound
money, and, regardless of divisions over
local affairs, are reported to be anxious TO
have Mr.. German take en- active hand
In what promises to be the most largely
attended and important party gathering
since the Charleston meeting in 1860.
Things Will BE Interesting.
Hill, German, Brice and Whitney, op-
posed to Vest, Cockrell, Harris and Jones
of Arkansas, ought to make the Chicago
meeting interesting from every point of
view. Tactical skill. parliamentary ma
Heuvering, pugnacity and oratory will be in
evidence from the jump. -...