The herald., 1896-07-06
THE CHAIRMANSHIP

things In their own hands.
THE CRAFTSMANSHIP
Silver Hen Insist on a Is to Presiding
officer
CHICAGO, July 5.-The Democratic
national convention is not only in
quandary as to who shall be selected
for president, but 1t has a still higher
fence to jump in the matter Of the selec-
ton of officers to preside over the tenn
porary and permanent organization.
The latter officer may be selected with
out much trouble, If the selection Of
temporary chairman could be satisfac-
torily arranged. Senator Hill Is the un-
doubted choice of the national commit
tee. He is also the one man from the
east of prominence who Is willing to test
his popularity before the convention. 1t
has been claimed by the gold men that
the silver friends of Senator Hill in
both house and senate, many of whom
are delegates to the convention, would
have sufficient strength and would use
their influence to secure his election as
temporary chairman If he should be
named But 1t is now well understood
that the silver men will never vote for
anybody but silver man for chairman.
During the day many silver men who
are friends Of the senator have called
upon him and urged him not to place
himself in position where he might be
humiliated by being defeated. They
have assured him that they have a high
regard for him and that it will be dis
agreeable to them to have to vote
against him, but the situation Is such
that they must have a silver man to
make the first speech of the convention.
Senator Hill has advised all those who
called upon him to pursue conserva-
tive course. He has expressed the be-
lief that II the convention adopts sill
yer platform that there will surely be a
bolt, and he thinks that If conservatism
is shown that the bolt will be much re-
duced.
1t is understood that Senator Hill
believes that in case the convention
should sustain the national committee
Mn the selection Of himself for temporary
chairman that the bolt from New York
state and possibly some other sections
Of the east will be greatly minimized.
The silver men feel assured that Senator
Hill will not bolt, but under the instruc-
tions of the Democratic state convention
Of New York the delegation acts as a
unit. and If a majority should decide to
bolt or to take no further part in the
convention after the adoption of the sill
yer platform, Senator Hill, who has en-
dorsed this unit rule, would be COM
PEELED to abide by the results.
While Senator Hill Is constantly ad-
vising conservatism on the nart % ene
silver men, he has sa~en no pleoges that
he would make q conservative speech
II selected to preside over the conven-
ton. w. F. Sheehan. member of the ma
tional committee from New York and
one Of the closest personal friends OF
Senator Hill IN that state, ~'os asked
II Hill was selected for temporary chair
man II he would make q conservative
speech and not one which would be OBJ
noxious to the silver men. Mr.. Shee-
han replied:
Senator Hill. If selected temporary
chairman Of the convention, will make a
gold speech"
Mr.. Sheehan was asked how he re-
garded Mr. Hills chances for the place
and declared he did not believe the sill
yer men would turn him down If he was
selected by the national committee, al
though every delegation from the south
and west which has arrived today has
Joined in the declaration made by the
silver men on the ground. that they
would not accept anybody but silver
man for temporary chairman.
The plea of senatorial friends Of Mr..
Hill asking him not to place them in a
position Of voting against him has been
almost pathetic. Nearly every silver
Democratic senator is here as delegate
from his state. While Hill has opposed
them not only on the silver question,
but upon many other questions, nota-
bly, the income tax, they regard him as
a manly fighter and have a great deal
Of admiration for him. He has never
counseled bolt from a national con-
vention, and has severely criticised any
body Of the party who tolerated a bolt.
It was known during the tariff fight that
some i'll feeling grew out of scene in
the senate between Hill and Jo Black
burn. Still, near the close of the last ses-
sion Of congress, Hill made vigorous
speech in the senate, supporting Carlisle
on the bond issues, but took occasion to
severely citicise Carlisle and the
friends of Carlisle in Kentucky because
they did not support Blackburn for the
senate after he had received the caucus
nomination. In that speech Hill said
there were greater issues than the cur
rency question, and that the Democratic
party should not decide upon the dues-
ton of silver and currency. The silver
men appreciated that speech, and they
do not expect that Hill will bolt when
16 to platform is adopted. Hill MAIN
tains in his conversations with the sill
yer delegates who have called upon
him that they are not following the lines
Of his argument used in the senate on
that occasion, because they are subordi-
mating every other issue to the silver
question solely.
The silver men say this has got beyond
anything else in the Democratic party.
and the leaders who are here. even If
they were disposed to stand by Senator
Hill as temporary chairman, would find
1t impossible to control the delegation
from their states who are determined
that none but 16 to man shall preside.
That the selection of a silver man for
temporary chairman Is assured there