The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-06-02
Defeat of Sound Money I'm Kentucky
Has Destroyed All Chances OF
Gold Majority at Chicago.
16-TO-1 PLANK NOT CERTAIN
EASTERN DEMOCRATS WILL FIGHT
HARD FOR A COMPROMISE.
They VIII Attempt to Make the Ratio
20 to L, or, Failing I'm This, to
Have None Fixed.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, June 1.-The complete VIC
tory of the free-silver Democrats in Ken
lucky is conceded in Washington to be the
death knell of all hopes held by Mr. Cleve-
land that the sound-money men might con-
troll the Chicago convention 1t is no longer
a question of passing a sound-money resolu-
ton. but merely fight by the sound-money
men to prevent the free-silver majority from
ruthlessly sweeping everything before it. 1t
is no secret here that certain members Of
the Cabinet are inwardly rejoicing at the
crushing defeat of Secretary Carlisle,
amounting, as 1t does, TO his absolute repu-
diation by his own State. For some time
certain members of Mr.. Cleveland's council
have been compelled to swallow the Presi-
dents angry taunts at their lack of influ-
ence in their own States. Secretary Herbert
was swept away in Alabama; Postmaster
general Wilson went to his political death in
West Virginia; Secretary Smith has failed to
hold Georgia; Secretary Morton could only
organize a bolt In Nebraska. Time after
time they were told to regard Kentucky and
learn there how really strong man could
carry his State, even against fearful odds.
Secretary Carlisle was held up constantly
as model. Hence the Secretaries who have
had Carlisle" dinned into their ears are
to-day accepting the result in Kentucky
with more than resignation.
Now, while the victory of free silver in
Kentucky means that the silver men viii
control the Chicago convention, it would be
a premature assumption to claim that the
Democratic platform will come out openly
for free and unlimited coinage OF silver at
the ratio Of 16 to l. A Democratic Senator
whose past services and present leadership
in his party make his statements Of value,
said to the Journal correspondent this after
noon: THE result in Kentucky settles the
question as to which policy will control the
convention, but / feel certain that the plat
form will not promise free coinage at 16 to I,
just as feel certain that your platform at
St. Louis will not promise gold monometal-
lism. The free-silver men at Chicago will
demand 16-to-1 plank, but they will be
made to yield. 1t is my belief that the Chi
cago platform, while a silver platform, will
say nothing Of ratio; certainly 1t will not
fix as low ratio as 16 to l. Possibly 20 to
/ may be named. but do not expect to see
any definite statement on that point. For
you must remember that while the free
silver men will have the majority, there will
be between two hundred and three hundred
sound-money men, and we do not propose
that the free-silver men shall ride rough
shod over us. The East, you must remember,
will line UP solidly for sound money, and we
will be able to force concessions. They are
strong enough to build the platform, but
they cannot nominate man to stand on
that platform without our votes. think
you will see that the Chicago platform will
not declare for free silver al 16 to L.