Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-27
THE SILVER CONFERENCE
Some Men Unknown at Large, but Strong
in Their Respective States.
Gossip as to Presidential Possfbilitles
Some Hope Yet for the
Democrats.

silver difference, 1t Is q noticeable fact
that the democratic and republican poll
ticians are not making much sport of it.
The resolutions adopted by the republican
silver Senators are SO much in accord with
the platform Of "'the new party without
rame" es to create comment
Heretofore many of the silver conferences
have been composed of men in whom the
people of the country had no confidence,
and often whose political records had been
such Ito rightfully entitle them to the
name of cranks. While there may have
been some Of the same persuasion in the
conference this week, the average delegate
stood higher in the estima ton of the peo-
pie. The rank of the men there is what is
causing the politicians uneasiness. They
do not know exactly how to look upon the
new movement or what to think of it. They
are waiting to see how 1t will take with
the country before they express opinions
and to see whether it is going to be forfnid-
able enough to need serious opposition.
Some Strong Men.
There were some strong men in the free
silver conference. The large majority of
them are unknown to the country at large,
but in their respective states are men Of
the highest and strongest political influ-
ence. For instance, one of the members
of the new party executive committee is
l. N. Stevens of Colorado. He has been
the republican boss of his state for years.
and Is credited with having cent Wolcott
to the Senate. He is leader in three or
four Of Colorado's sister states, or, at least
Lis influence goes a long way in their
elections when he chooses to take a hand
He was the prosecutor of the celebrated
polsoner Dr. Graves, and Is lawyer OF
SPLENDID attainments. Another man from
the same state who took a prominent
stand In the convention was 7. NJ. Patter-
son, editor of the Rocky Mountain News
DR.. j. J. Mott, the chairman of the new
natlorial committee, is man who stands
high IN his own state, North Carolina. As
stated IN The Star, he was voted for for
the United States Senate at the time SEN
ator Pritchard was elected. Then there was
Editor Holden of the Cleveland (Ohio)
PIaln Dealer He participated in the work
OF the conference. and there was no differ
ence in his views and those of the other
Leaders, except that he intends to stay in
the democratic party until he is absolutely
certain there is no chance in that organiza-
ton for silver.
Presidential Possibilities.
There was not a great deal of talk among
the conference leaders about presidential
candidates, but the consensus of opinion
seemed to favor an entirely new man, or
rather some good man not now prominent
in the financial fights. Judge Miller of Chi
go has been talked of some. Hardin of
Kentucky will have many friends among
southern free silver men; one Georgia paper
has been suggesting his name for some time
The populist party is not regarded as hav-
ing man in it's ranks now VINO can fill the
ILL. Weaver has not weight enough to
command the vote of the consolidated silver
forces. What Is wanted is man who would
De voted for by silver men throughout the
country. Sibley has lost his grip as a prob
rf MOI ic
upon as available timber. The talk of Cam
eron and Teller for first and second place
might materialize should Cameron remain
true and tried friend of silver. Inasmuch,
however, as the present movement is looked
upon as combination of the SOUTH west
and northwest against the balance of the
country, the national ticket is more likely to
be made up of men from these sections
Tnere 1s some significance in the fact that
the editor of the Bimetallist, published in
Indiana, took part in the conference. The
significance is in the fact that he is DEM
ocrat and Is booming Voorhees, for Presi-
dent. What if Voorhees, should not find the
action of the national democratic convention
to suit his ideas? Is there possibility that
he would be i'll for a new party and for a
presidential race? 1t is not known how
close the editor of the paper is to Voorhees,
or what his attendance at the conference
meant. At any rate, he stated to the con-
ference that he would remain a democrat
Until the Chicago convention meets.
The Populist Brethren.
There are strong ties of friendship between
the new party people and the populists, but
everything possible was done to keep the
impression from going abroad that there
was any cooperation between the two or
ganizations in the present movement. or that
they were one and the same. There was
objection to putting any populists on the
executive committee on the ground that it
would identify the movement with the pop
ulist party. Later developments will show
how far the populists are interested in the
new party.
Hope for the Democrats.
1t is said that one result of the conference
has been to infuse new life and spirit in the
castdown silver leaders Of the democratic
party. They are going to have meeting
soon to begin fight for the control of the
natioral convention. Should they succeed in
doing this, they claim that they will swallow
the new movement, as well as the populist
party, and that the democratic banner will
fly victorious in November. In the confer
ence Wednesday, when speaker suggested
that the democratic party might yet turn up
for silver, there was q shout of approval
and pledges that the ticket would be sup
ported. The democratic silver leaders know
that the coming struggle is life and death
one between them and the single standard
faction, and they are already equippinR
themselves for the fight.