Evening star., 1896-07-31
Mr.. SEWALL'S TROUBLES
Difficulty of the Maine Democrats in Their
State Campaign.
The Same Thing ConfrOnts Mr.. Hill
In New YOrk-A Very Hard
Nut to Crack.

Mr.. Sewall's difficulties are multiplying.
He is not only under heavy populstic fire
from the west and south, but he is the sub
ject of some bitter objurgations uttered in
low tone, by many eastern democrats.
There is no likelihood of his being forced
off the ticket, but regret is getting to be
widespread that he ever consented to accept
a place On It.
Trouble in Maine.
The embarrassments In Maine illustrate
and emphasize the embarrassments Of
eastern democrats generally. The Maine
democrats met in state convention, adopted
gold platform. and nominated a state
ticket, some weeks before the Chicago con-
vention was held. The action was not hur-
red or excited. 1t was easily accomplished,
and una limous. No silver sentiment Of the
least consequence showed itself. Maine
spoke for gold, and sent delega-
ton to Chicago to work for gold.
Now, owing to the nomination of Mr.. Sew
all, all is confusion. The candidate for
governor has retired from the race because
his sympathies are with the state rather
than with the national platform or ms
Iarty. His place must be filled. But by
whom? Who Of any strength in the state
is willing to come forward and run Tor gov
crnor on a free silver platform?
1t is insisted that another state conVen-
ton should be called, and platform writ
len ana ticket nominated Coi4!oiidAANS
with The party's acton at Chicago. But
this, ii is recognized, will put the Maine
democrats in painful light. They are on
record, and the question at issue Is one
upon which men holding firm convic-
tions Their own convictions are firm, ard
they are known. They have not been
changed since they were formally recorded
Ii a free silver platform were adopted nov
would anybody, anywhere, accept ii for
truth? Would it be valued other than
an election trick. performed under pres
sure, and holding out no prospects CT sue
cess?
The Same Difficulty i'm New York.
This is Mr.. Hills difficulty in New York.
Not only did the New York democrats de-
clare for gold in their state convention, but
they did so at time when il was perfectly
plain 10 everybody that the Chicago con-
vention would declare for silver. They an
tagonized with their eyes open. and in obe-
dienoe to their firm convictions, what they
characterized as an undemocrauc and
ruinous public policy. Yet the proposition
now is that the words of that deliverance
be eaten. aad fresh deliverance designed
TO help along an undemocratic and ruin
Gus public policy, be put out
4 Hard Nut to Crack.
Politicians accommodate themselves to a
good many necessities, but there are some
things they hesitate to attempt They lose
by appearing to surrender faith too easily.
In this matter at issue the eastern men,
and particularly the party managers, have
a hard nut to crack. They are al heart all
gold men, and they are on record as pre-
dieting unnumbered woes to the country
if the finances of the government should
go to silver basis. How can they, now
without serious injury to their standing as
leaders worthy of trust, face about, even
at the behest of a majority, and assist IN
bringing that disaster on the country ?
There will be cakes and all after TINS cam
paiSn is over, but not for those who in so
great an emergency showed themselves to
he unstable and t;me-serving. The better
feeling is that the man who stands to his
guns will liz the end gain by it, as we'll as
serve the public good by doing so.