Evening star., 1896-07-04
THE DEMOCRATIC SITUATION
It is Not Materially Changed From That Of
Week Ago.
Development of Bolting Talk by the
Gold Men at Chica9o-What
the Silver Men Prefer.

Sizing it up every way, there is no ma
terial change in the democratic situation
from a week ago. Nothing has occurred to
alter the impression which has existed for
weeks that the silver men would have alb
solute control of the Chicago convention.
The few changes have been in the way Of
the standing of the candidates and in the
rather advanced position taken by some Of
the gold men. Bland has made leap for
ward for the nomination which has been
surprising to many. Those who know and
have felt the extreme wishes of the demo-
cratic masses, however, are not surprised
at this. If it hadn't been Bland 1t would
have been some other man of the same
stripe. Half Of the convention is made up
of extreme men, and the other half is largely
composed of men who are inclined to fol-
low their radical brethren. This inclina-
tion comes from the telief that the ex-
tremists represent the majority of the peo-
pie. and it appears to be best to follow the
tide.
Development of Boiling Talk.
The development of bolting talk among
the gold delegates during the last few days
has been Il feature of the week. While the
surface indications are against a concert
ed bolt Of any sort, the country would not
be surprised to see many able and eminent
men of the party serve notice of their de-
parture from the organization which they
have worked in for years. Col. Fellows
pathetic warning and threat yesterday at a
meeting Of the gold delegates was almost as
dramatic as the initiatory steps of Senator
Teller before the bolt at St. Louis. Whit
ney stands in an attitude of sullen silence
as to What he will do If the gold men are
trampled on, as they will be- His silence
and his refusal to say whether he will or
will not support the ticket looks, 1t is urged,
cminous. HIS refusal to place himself is
rot regarded as bluff. 1t is not intended to
frighten anybody at Chicago. His heart
tells him not to speak now, as he may have
to walk the gang plank with others.
Viewing the situation in every way 1t has
been presented. the opinion here is that
there will not be much Of a demonstration at
Chicago in the way Of bolt. 1t will come
after the convention, in the individual an
nouncements of the gold leaders. 1t is al
legged that the silver men would prefer an
open bolt Of the gold men. They would re-
Joice In 1t and would choose that course
many times over to the individual process
OF departing from the party If 1T was left to
them to decide for the gold advocates. The
silver men have said that they no longer
need the east, and many of them believe
that every insult heaped upon the east is
that much added to the chances of their
ticket.
Eject of Formal Leave Taking.
Basing the predicted bolt on the ground
that the gold men want to maintain the
reputation of their party in the east, 1t is
urged that the best course for them to take
to accomplish this would be to leave the
convention in body. The weight of such
action would be many times greater than
would attach to individual departures, it is
thought.
1t Is said that the nomination Of Teller
would be sure to be followed by bolt. He
is one man the gold democrats would not
put up with. Next to Teller the man they
most strongly oppose is Bland. Not so
many of them. it is felt, would bolt the NOM
ination Of Boes. They know he is silver
man, but they say he is broader than Bland
and many others who are mentioned