The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-16
A Few Questions.

4 eN QueAAkOnh-
The other day. in a brief article in
which we called attention to the Atlanta
Constitutions charge that those who op-
pose the one convention movement are
not entirely frank in their opposition. we
asked. Has not the Constitution kept the
real reasons why the silverites want only
one convention as much under cover as
possible? In reply the Constitution says:
If the Constitution has not been per-
fectly clear in giving the reasons why IL
favors one instead of two conventions. it
is because we do not know how to make
ourselves understood"
Yes, the Constitution has been perfectly
clear in giving reasons why it wants to
change the custom that has prevailed for
more than a quarter of a century in the
matter of state conventions during presi-
dental years. but has it given the real
reason-the governing reason?
We would like the Constitution to an
swer frankly the following questions: Is
it not fact that you think if custom is
adhered to and two conventions are held
the silverites will stand little or no chance
of controlling the state convention that
will choose delegates to the national dem
ocratic convention? Isn't that the real
reason why you are urging the adoption
of the one convention scheme?
Why do you want the state democracy
to declare itself on the silver question be-
fore the national democracy has done so?
Admitting for present purposes that there
is a chance that the silverites would con-
troll the state convention under the one
convention scheme. do you think it would
be beneficial for the democracy of GeOr-
gia to be in opposition to the national
democracy on the silver question? If so.
in what way would it be beneficial? II
not, why do you seek to put the party in
the state in opposition to the national
party?
Have you seen Senator Tillman's letter
to the effect that the South Carolina dele
cation might bolt the national democratic
convention If South Cardinals demand
for free silver coinage should not be grant
ed? If your one convention scheme should
carry, and the convention should adopt
a free silver coinage platform, would you
favor a bolt by the Georgia delegation
to the national convention If that con-
vention should refuse to declare in favor
of free silver coinage? If the Georgia
delegation should bolt what position would
you advise the Georgia democracy to as
sumo toward the national democracy?
What course would you advise it to pur-
sue in the national campaign? Would you
advise it to become an ally of the populist
or to make an effort to start silver
party? 1t is evident that being committed
to free silver coinage it couldn't very well
| act in harmony with the national demo-
! cratic party.
You say your sole purpose is the welfare
of the democratic party. and you will
scheme Is adopted there is a probability
that the democratic party would be COM
mittel to the free coinage of silver before
the national democratic party had spoken
on the silver question. 1t is quite certain
| that the national democracy will declare
against free silver coinage. Will you point
out how the party in Georgia would be
identified by being placed in opposition
to the national party in so important a
matter?
All of these questions are pertinent ones.
and as you are leading new departure,
which you say will benefit the party we
think you would confer a favor upon DEM
ocrats of the state by answering them
frankly and fully.