Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-23
Gold Standard Democrats in Texas
to Call a Convention.
WHAT TEXAS CONGRESSMEN SAY
AContesting Delegation at Chicago
Would Cause Split.
W HITNE AND RICE

Texas Congressman are watching with a
great deal of concern the movements of the
sound money men in that state. The last
move Of the gold standard democrats was to
call a state convention Of their own in op-
position to the regular convention, which
meets In June, and the delegates to which
are elected by a primary. 1t is the threat
of the gold men to send eontesting dele
cation to the Chicago convention. The
threats naturally attract attention here, as
the political condition in Texas is more
critical than In many other southern states.
For long time it has been known that the
state was on the verge of populism, and that
unless the democrats were in thorough ac-
cord the quarrels and dissensions would be
promptly taken advantage of by the popu-
lists.
Call 1t Slick Game.
There are several members of the Texas
delegation here who believe that the move
OF the gold men there is the beginning of
slick game to originate a number of contests
In various southern silver states so as to
prevent the silver men controlling the tenn
porary organization at the national con-
Vention, and possibly to prevent them nomi-
mating a candidate there
A prominent Texas Representative said to
a Star reporter: II do not know that there
Is any organized movement on foot to carry
out this game, but if there is the gold men
can look out 1t is recognized the world
over that a primary election is the surest
way or determining the sentiments of the
voters OF party. We have adopted that
method in our state to select delegates to
the state convention. 1t IS fair and square
to all elements. There is no room for the
gold men to kick, and it looks like they are
Intentionally preparing to get out of the
party know If this movement Is extend
ed to other states it will become apparent
hat
vantage, and we will meet them at their
own game. There is just as much ground
for contesting delegations from New York
and Pennsylvania as from Texas and Ne
DraSka, which states are threatened. In
South Carolina and several other states the
same threat is made You may depend on
1t We will look out FOR our own interests.
Sure to Result in a Split.
Just as sure IS these contests go to the
national convention and should result in
favor of the gold-standard delegations
there will be a split Every politician
knows that Texas is overwhelmingly for
silver, and the seating of a contesting dele
CATION would mean that We would leave the
convention, and so would the delegates
from all the other silver states 1t is not
the proper thing for the democrats of the
democratic, to try to prevent a free and
fair expression of the will of states which
have always gone democratic. We have
been dictated to by the east long enough,
and We are not going to have any more of
it"
Whitney and Brice.
There has been much talk lately of the
entrance of ex-Secretary Whitney and Sem
ator Brice into the fight, and the ANNOUNCE
ed determination of each to stay in the
fray until the last round. Even the silver
men express admiration for the abilities of
these men, but they say that these two
former wheel horses in nationa, conven-
tons Will not be able to WELD their usual
influence this time
Why, Senator Brice's home county has
sent silver delegates TO the Chicago con-
vention, said man talking to a gold
standard opponent, the other day.
on, wait, said the gold man. Haven't
the silver men had everything with them
before until the state convention met, and
then hasn't Brice brought them over? He
is the brightest politician in America today,
and the silver hosts can't stand before
him."
this time, was the answer. II doubt very
much if Senator Brice can be elected a del
egate from his own state, and IL ne gets to
chicago at all, he will have to go as a
proxy"
Mr.. Whitney's Movements.
1t is said that ex-Secretary Whitney has
assumed the management of the campaigns
III AA-4AAclS- OLlO, hen-ucky ana INDIANA,
with the view of preventing these states
from sending silver delegates to Chicago.
The story is given for what it is worth
1t is highly probable, however, that if
Mr.. Whitney has not himself taken the
management he is playing an important
part in the way of advice and in furnish
ing aid The statement is made that the
strongest efforts of the gold men are to
De directed to the four states named
without these states the silver men couldn't t
get majority in the national convention
Ihey must have the votes OF at leas. two
CT the states. All the administration in
huence Is being hurled into the fight, and
missionaries are being sent there in pro-
fusion.
Inc silver men in the four states named
declare themselves ready for the contest
They say they will be able to meet and
vanquisn home ard outside influences and
90 not care who attempts to conduct the
fight against them