Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-28
THE CHICAGO CHAIRMAN
Many Silver Democrats Suggest Senator
Harris of Tennessee.
His Qualifications for the Position
Set Forth at Some
\
Length.

For chairman, temporary and permanent
of the Chicago CONVENTION, Isham G. Har-
ris of Tennessee.
This suggestion meets with the approval
Of many silver democrats. south and west,
and If the silver men are in the majority
at Chicago the senior Senator from Ten
uessee may be called upon to take the
gavel. The post calls for man of pariia-
mentary knowledge and experience, OF
quick powers and good nerve. He should
be able at all times to keep the convention
In the middle Of the road, by ready grasp
OF all points submitted to him, and by
prompt decision on them. If the chairman
goes astray, either through ineXperience Or
a lack of possession, the convention Is
certain to go astray; and nothing is 80 diff
tcult as for chairman to regain control
of body once it breaks away from his
authority. On the other hand a chairman
who is at home in his place, ard who can
nelther be ratified nor bullied, yields great
ihHuence not only in preserving order, but
in securing a prompt and satisfactory dis
charge Of business. The spirit of resolu-
ton and intelligence which he manifests is
communicated to the great body CT dele
gates on the floor.
A Lively Body.
The Chicago convention. 1t seems to be
agreed, will be lively and important body
1t Will be called upon to deal with more
than the work usually presented to such
bodies. Propositions involving interesting
changes in party procedure will be brought
forward debated and pressed to vote.
The usual work, even, will be entered upon
with unusual spirit. The feeling between
the two factions of the party is very bitter
ana promises to try the powers Of the
peacemakers to the utmost. 1t is question
in some quarters whether there will be one
or two democratic parties after the July
meeting. All of this, of course, makes 1t
most important that every step taken
the strongest men in the party shall be as
signed at Chicago so as to utilize to the
1ull Tor the party's benefit the ability and
experience which they may possess
He Would FIJI the Bill.
Nothing has advanced beyond the stage
OF mere suggestion and discussion, but the
silver men consider that in Senator Harris
they have leader who, as chairman Of the
Chicago nvention. would fill the bill COM
pletely. He possesses, they point out, all
OF the qualifications for the post. He takes
nigh rank as a presiding officer in the Sen
ate. He Is an authority on parliamentary
law, recognized as such by both parties. He
Is ready in his rulings and has been COM
pllmented for his fairness and impartiality
by as tnorough p2rtisans as Mr. ingalls, and
Mr.. Hoar. He has unquestioned nerve and
d cool head
All Right on Free Coinage.
On the subject of free coinage Mr.. Harris
Is uncompromising He has always been a
free silver man, and holds with his neigh
bors in the Senate, Vest and Cockrell of
Missouri, Jones of Arkansas and others,
that the United States Is strong enough to
establish 2 financial policy of it's own He
advocates that. His election as chairman of
the chicago convention would mean that.
even more poin:ediy than would any line in
the platform of Ike tenor. SO that it is as
serted that If Mr.. Harris is put in the chair
at Chicago. and men like Mr.. Vest and Mr.
Jones are assigned TO the committee on reso-
lutons. there will be small reason during
the campaign to inquire where the demo-
cratic party stands on the money question