Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-01
the delegation. 1 asked Senator Villas this
morning whom he thought the convention


Gen. Bragg, and having done all could to
secure these Instructions, 1 have not
| thought of any one else. do not know who
will put Gen. Bragg in nomination. 1 have
| not been asked to do so and therefore will
| not make a speech
The Senator seemed much interested in
the articles in the morning papers as to the
| Cleveland boom, and when / asked him
| about 1t, he replied that he did not think
| the convention would nominate Mr.. Cleye-
| land
There are two reasons for this said
| Senator Villas. I'm the first place, Mr.
| Cleveland would not accept it, and in the
second. 1 don't see any reason for further
| complicating the already perplexed situa-
| tion by injecting the third term question.
| These are sufficient reasons to me not to
| seriously consider the present talk"
| l asked the Wisconsin Senator If he knew
of any authorized letter or statement being
received in Indianapolis from Mr.. Cleveland
| on this subject.
He said he did not, but added: ''I am GER
| tain that when this convention has adopted
a platform and put democratic candidates
on it, Mr.. Cleveland will declare that they
are all right. After the convention has
| acted, and not before, is the time for Mr..
| with no uncertain sound"
Not" added he, that l have any per-
sonal assurance from Mr.. Cleveland that
| he has written a letter nor do l speak for
| him, but from my own knowledge of what
he will do
Senator Villas thought the convention
| would finish its work by Thursday night
He is much pleased with the selection of
Senator Caffery of Louisiana as permanent
chairman, and says it. will add great
strength to the convention and it's effect.
Lively Contsst Likely.
The contest here promises to be much
more earnest than could have been ex-
pected in an assemblag4 with such a una
nimity of purpose on themain issue. There
| is a live interest in the selection of a cam
didate, and quite earnest difference of
opinion as to several questions of import
ance relating to the platform A bushel
| basket Of platforms have been drawn.
Some time ago Mr. Bynum wrote to sew
| eral men of prominence, asking them to
submit drafts of a platform, which could
| be referred to the platform committee as
| basis for their work In addition to the
| responses, several men in each delegation
| have decided opinions as to what declara-
| tions should be made. and TIE literary con-
tributions to the committee are many.
| The three questions concerning which
| there will be contest are the income tax
the Supreme Court and the proposition to
retire the greenbacks and provide a ma
tional bank currency. There is perfect har-
| mony on the main objects of the conven-
ton. First of all, the one main object is TO
draw as many votes as possible from
! Bryan and thus secure the election of Nc
| kinley. With this in view, there is uni
| vcrsal desire to name the strongest pos
| sible candidate, without regard to who he
| Is. The object Is to make vicarious sac
| riffce in the most noble manner and with
| the best results possible.
The second point of unanimous agree
| ment is that there should be an unqualified
| declaration for the single gold standard,
| without the slightest pretense of friendli-
| ness toward silver.
| The third point of agreement in which
| there is the most solemn earnestness on
| the part of every delegate is that Presi-
dent Cleveland should be indorsed in the
| most earnest manner language admits of.
| Retirement Of GreenbncLs.
| There is general agreement as to the de-
| STABILITY of the retirement of the green
! backs and the establishment Of a bank cur
| rency. but there is wide difference of
| opinion as to the wisdom Of making such a
| declaration in the platform. There is little
| doubt, however, that the declaration will
be made. 1t will probably not be fully de-
tailed in the platform, but the plan favored
| by Controller Eckels and Mr. Sperry, and
| which is expected to be adopted in general
| terms, is for the retirement Of the govern
| ment from the business of issuing currency.
and the establishment instead of a bank
| CURRENCY. the hanks iSS,jnp paDer hac sod on
| their own gold reserve.
| compare lively small reserve of gold in
| the hands of bank, 1T is thought, would
furnish ample security for a considerable
| volume of notes. The government would
| have no responsibility for these notes, but
! would have supervision over the banks
to see that they kept up their legal gold
| reserve. The idea Is to take the govern
ment entirely out of the money-issung
business and to place that responsibility
on the shoulders Of the banks, relieving
the government from the necessity Of main
tanning q gold reserve, and thus breaking
| the endless chain"
1t Is not proposed to put all this detail in
the platform, but to simply declare for the
retirement of the greenbacks and the es-
| tapllshment OF perfect bank-note system.
! Inc Objection raised to this is based on
| 'ie ieoi tHdt IL may not be fully under
stood by the voters, and might be unpopu-
| lar IN some sections. 1t is merely an OBJ
lection Of expediency that Is not expected
! to hold.
| The Income Tax.
AS to the income tax question, delegates
difer on principle. The demand is very
strong for declaration In favor Of a con-
| stitutional amendment to make possible the
collection of such a tax. The proposition
is strongly opposed by men from the east,
but even so strong an opponent as Mr..
Sperry of Connecticut says that he thinks
the declaration will be adopted by the con-
| Vention.
How the question closely allied to
this, of defining or confining the power of
| the Supreme Court, Will be treated is now
| difficult to determine. There Is a sentf-
| ment In favor of declaration that the
Constitution should be SO amended as to
| require more than a bare majority to de-
| clare law unconstitutional. The question
is so delicate to deal with. however, that
| delegates are somewhat afraid to touch it.
The tariff plank of the national conven-
ton. of four years ago on which Cleveland
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