The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-08
CANDIDATES
AT CHICAGO
The Bland Boom Is Still Ahead Of
All Others.
M'LEAN'S CANDIDACY IS AMUSING
He Is an Energetic Canvasser in His
Own Interest and Talks with the
Delegates Situation Is Mixed.
Bland's Pension Record Is Ammu.
milton for His Enemies.

boom, or anywhere near Ii, but that Is
not because Mr.. Mclean has left any
stone unturned which he could move
with his own hands. \ more energetic
canvasser in his own interest 1t would
be hard to find. His knowledge that he
can have the vice presidential nomina-
ton for the asking has not diverted his
appetite for the presidency, but merely
whetted it to a keener edge. He be-
lieves that the prize lies within his
reach, especially since the other candl-
dates have stirred UP SO much bad blood
between themselves
His methods are simple. He wanted
Ohio to present his name. and he said
So When any delegate seemed to have
any other preference, Mclean would
send for him in person and have lit
tie friendly talk in private. One by one.
he won them over till he felt strong
enough to urge his friends to put the
question to a vote in the delegation.
The result was the adoption of res
olution to present his name and sup
port him. One Of the Ohio delegates
said in speaking Of this vote:
II was not for Mclean at first, but l
am now like man who knows what
he wants and asks for it, He told me
he wanted the nomination, he wanted
the Ohio endorsement, and he wanted
my vote. He didn't tidle- faddle about
asking for it, and l gave it to him."
THE WESTERN PLAN.
No doubt the votes of others Were
won by the use of similar means. There
is nothing so captivating to the western
taste as u plain statement of what
man wants.
One Of the comical features Of the
movement in favor OF Mclean in such
an assemblage as this is that although
as an editor and publisher, he takes
up the cause of free silver and works
1t for political reasons, he Is, socially
and in the broader business sense.
firmly fixed In the opposing camp. 1t
can easily be imagined what a row his
nomination would cause in the Populis-
tic Democracy when the news Is spread
abroad that he is plunger in the stock
market, keeping a private wore hot
between his Office in Washington and
the New York office Of brokers who at
tend to his business in the purlieus Of
hateful Wall street.
He is millionaire, and, in the sense
the Populists understand it, monopo-
list. To the larger part Of the crowd
here the possession of more property
than a farm and pair of mules Is a
crime; and the idea Of these men COM
PEELED to turn and help such man into
the presidency presents an absurd pos
sibility, and pretends a campaign Of
explanations and excuses.
Senator Lindsay, Of Kentucky, con-
siders the situation decidedly mixed as
to candidates. though not at all in doubt
as to the radical character Of the plat
form. The trend, he thinks. is rather
towards the selection Of a conservative
man for a candidate for president than
in the opposite direction. AS to Ken
tucky's vote after she ceases supporting
Blackburn. he thinks It will probably
be divided between Bland and Steven
son: and of all the compromise candi-
dates suggested, Stevenson seems the
strongest. The complaint of the radi-
Gals is that the vice president does not
talk enough. on the theory that man
who is sincerely for free silver coinage
at 1G to will make his choice heard
for 1t everywhere.
STEVENSON AND SILVER.
The general understanding is how
ever. that Stevenson would sign free
coinage bill If it came to him, while he
might not actively engage in pushing
its passage by executive pressure His
approval would be based upon his nat
ural inclination towards the free coin
age idea, and also upon the notion that
when a bill IL passed by congress. only
some very masterful reason should in
terfere with its becoming law.
Bland's pension record seems to be
giving his enemies lot of ammunition
| ad keeping his friends busy In his de-
fence. He voted against the dependent
pension bill. and his attitude on private
| pension legislation would also dampen
the ardbr not only Of actual pensioners,
but of that vast army who by private
bill. or easy Interpretation Of existing
law. hope to see their names some time
on the pension roll. Whether the Demo-
cratic party can afford to begin a cam
paign in the West with an opportunity
for this antagonism is much debated
point among the delegates.
There Is no delegation more complete
ly under one mans thumb than that Of
South Carolina. Mr.. Tillman Is chair
manof the delegation, its representa-
tives onthe committee on resolutions,
and national committeeman from South