New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-18
MAY FAVOR MIR. WHITNEY.
PROBABLE ACTION OF THE DEMOCRATS
AT SARATOGA.

NOMINATION AT CHICAGO on A "sTRAD-
DIE" PLArFoRM-sENATOR HILLS
COMING ECLIPSE.
frRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
Albany, May 11.-Eminent Democrats of AL
bany who attended the recent meeting Of the
Democratic State Committee in New-York, re-
turned here with the belief that the Democratic
State Convention. when 1t meets at Saratoga
In the latter part Of June. will elect delegates
to the National Democratic Convention favor
ing the nomination OF William c. Whitney for
President. Mr.. Whitney they declare, while
saving he is not a candidate. will desire the
nomination at Chicago If a straddle upon the
silver question is put into the Democratic plat
FORM A direct declaration for the gold stand
ard he would not favor; 1t would ALLEVIATE South
ern votes in his opinion Nor would he accept
a nomination upon a platform calling for free
coinage of silver, for that at the start would
doom the Democratic party and its candidate
TO defeat A double-faced declaration on the
silver question would just suit him, enabling
him to run as a gold-standard man in the East
ern States and as a friend to silver in the
West
SOUND MONEY" ACTIVITY EXPLAINED.
Mr. Whitneys supporters fear. Of course, that
Democratic National Convention that he would
not care to have the nomination on platform
framed by them and this is the meaning of the
sudden activity of many "sound-money" Demo-
Gratis Ike Don NJ Dickinson 1t Is an activity
intended to lessen the number or votes IN 'he
convention comfortable by the free-silver Demo-
Gratis. Mr. Dickinson has succeeded In captur-
ing the Michigan delegation, and strong enorts
are now to be made to win over some OF the
border Southern States like Kentucky west
Virginia and Virginia But the rush OF the
Southern Democrats into the silver camp con-
tinues day after day. and the outlook is dark TO
the Whitney men. Yet they think they can roll
up a respectable "straddle vote" in the East
ern, Middle. border and Northwestern States
and possibly then nominate Mr. Whitney
A month ago Senator Edward Murphy Jr'
who for several years. with Richard Croker and
William F. Sheehan has controlled the organiza-
ton of the Democratic party in this State, IA
vored Democratic National platform with de-
cided tnge Of silver. Mr.. Murphy Is an oppor-
tunist. Associating with the Democratic Sena-
tors from the South. he thought that he saw the
entire country swinging over to the policy OF per-
uniting the free coinage OF silver and that there
fore the New-York Democrats ought in their plat
form to show their frendliness TO silver This
view naturally shocked good many Democratic
business men, and alarmed such OF the members
OF the Democratic machine as had the shrewd-
ness to see that platform Of that kind would al
most annihilate the Democratic party in this
State
MURPHY STILL LEANS TO SILVER.
Mr.. Murphy up to the last accounts. had not
been convinced that his policy Of "friendliness to
silver" would be an unfortunate one for his party
In this State, but he has been very sick man
w aud hare
fore unable to give expression to his opinions In
the mean time Mr. Whitneys supporters think
they have succeeded in committing the Demo-
Gratis of this State to the adoption OF a sound
money" platform at the Saratoga Convention.
Mr. Murphy is reported to be improving in health,
however, and therefore may appear at Saratoga
and make II difficult matter for Mr.. Whitney
and his friends to carry out their plans
1t 10 said that the plan of sending Whitney
delegation TO the Democratic National Conven-
ton is favored by Senator Hill. by Richard
Croker by Hugh Mclaughlin and by most Of the
rural Democrats. 1t is, therefore. likely to be
adopted, even II Senator Murphy should oppose II.
OF which there are no indications at present.
The four delegates-at-large to the National Con-
vention will, it Is probable. be Senator Murphy.
Senator Hill. Roswell p. Flower and Wilson S.
Bissel. In case Senator Murphy should be too Ill
to go to Chicago 1t may be that Richard Croker
will take his place Nor ie II at all certain that
David B. Hill will keep TO his present mind of
attending the Convention. He and Senator Muir
ply do not agree we'll at present. and therefore he
would not care especially to be delegate to the
National Convention with him. Besides that
National Convention threatens to lead the Demo-
cratic party up TO the worst defeat 1t has suf-
fered since 1864. by committing the party to the
free coinage OF silver and therefore Mr. Hill Is
not eager to attend II.
NO HOPE IN NATIONAL AFFAIRS
The Democratic party In this State is only
concerned about the office OF Governor and of
United States Senator foreseeing defeat on
National issues Whatever conflict there may
be within the ranks Of the Democratic party Is
therefore far more likely TO occur at the State
Convention In the fall than at that which will
be held in June at Saratoga.
Ex-Congrexman Perry Belmont is at present
the leading candidate for the nomination for
Governor. He has money and the party is poor.
Some rich man must be nominated for the sake
Of securing campaign funds. At least. that
Croker. William r. Sheehan, Hugh Mclaughlin
and other magnates OF the party. Senator Hill
has been quoted as favoring the nomination of
Mr.. Belmont for Governor. but II So his sup
port Ia not enthusiastic. His actual candidate
IL John b. Stanchfed. his former law partner
Mr.: Hill would have a poor mans campaign"
poor man." But he is poor compared with the
millionaire Belmont.
HILLS HOPELESS CANDIDACY.
Mr.. Hill. Of course. is a candidate for re-elec-
ton as United States Senator. But he has lit
tie hope of being elected With such a large
Republican majority In the State Senate, TWEEN
ty-two votes, II will be almost impossible for
the Democratic party to make sufficient gains
in the State Assembly. under the present appor-
tionment OF seats In that body. to elect
United States Senator. There now AZ Demo-
cratic ana 103 Republican members OF the
Assembly. The Democrats are compelled to