New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-01
TIE SITUATION.

The machn!ss In both parties have been put
ting forth their utmost exerions this week and
have scored some successes. The Cleveland
machine has outgeneralled and beaten de-
cidcd majority OF silver mon In the Michigan
Democratic Convention. which may prove an
important victory and Pennsylvania goes for
hard money Democr" and Patnson, though
Southern States stick 10 silver The machine in
Illinois ut first Cutge leraed n Mckinley ma jor-
ity, twisting away on all sorts Of preliminary
motions delegates who were instructed for him.
but did not succeed in breaking the great force
Of his success in two-thrds of the districts in
Senator Cullom's own State. or in preventing
instructions for NJ 'Kinlcy. This practically
puts an end TO the Senator as candidate. on
Wednesday Vermont alh9Zed the friends Of
Speaker Reed by resolution Endorsing Mr. Nc
Kinley, and the Georgia Convention gave him
q substantial victory with three out of four OF
the delegates. which will make twenty-five out
Of twenty-six votes for him from that State.
Alabama Republicans have split, but If the tele
graphic reports are trustworthy. the boilers have
no standing as Republicans. and are merely n
wing OF the Popullst party, the regular delegates
being for Mckinley. The gain of six more
delegates from Michigan, one delegate for him
pretence Of supporting Governor Morton will
quickly be abandoned by the Now-York ma
chine. tends to increase the strength of the lead
Ing candidate.
1t will be observed that the popular feeling
In the Republican party for candidate whose
nomination would inevitably make the protec-
tive issue predominant. and the popular feeling
In the Democratic party for n free-silver plat
for nd candidate wit ipuI ~
checked anywhere by the most perfect and skill
fully handled machines. Here and there the
skilled managers beat the millions, and contrlvc
TO secure delegates without regard to the pop
ular feeling But there Is practically no doubt
any longer that the advocates OF free coinage
will start with a majority in the Democratic Con-
ventiOn, and that supporters OF Mckinley will
start with a majority in the Republican Convcn-
ton, and the question which remains is whether
the tactics Of machine politicians will overcome
the declared wishes of the majOrty OF voters
But there Is a great difference as respects con-
sequences The success Of the Administration
machine would result in a split Of the Demo
cratic party. The silver men would march out
of 1t controlling a large proportion OF the cleo
toral votes which that party could hope to Sc
cure But the Republican Convention, whether
1t dominates Mckinley. Allison or Reed. win in
either nominate a sound Protectionlst, W 40
helped nightly TO perfect and pass the latest
Republican tariff, and there would be no bolt
or break except such as the mining camps may
be unwlse enough to make.
Senator Teller has again declared that he and
his boiling associates would go into new party
unless the Republican Convention submitted to
their behests. Whether he can influence the party
in his State more than Mr.. Wolcott. who Is chair
man Of the State Committee and does not pro-
pose to betray the convictions Of Republicans
on the tariff question remains TO be answered
Colorado, Montana Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada
and Utah give their nineteen electoral votes to
q silver candidate or not. The votes TO elect the
next President east Of the Kansas Dakota
western border, but will be aided by votes from
the Pacific Coast.
The break Of Democrats, which would inevi-
tably follow a success OF the Administration
machine. would make the Republican nomna-
ton equivalent to an election. United the Dem
ocratic party has not been able to carry third
Of the States for the policy Of the Administrl-
ton. It's disruption would leave 1t stronger. IL
is true. in manufacturing Eastern States though
its tariff policy has been and would be fatal
there, but would leave 1t no chance Of success
In Western or Southwestern States. Indeed of
the three parties the Administration faction
would command fewer electoral votes than
aithar the Republican or the silver party. aud