The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-17
some New York Democrats Urging
that 40 Presidential Electors BE
Chosen ut the State Convention.
HON. w. c. WHITNEY'S POSITION
HE WILL NOT SUPPORT THE CHI
CAGo PLATFORM OR NOMINEES.
Controller Eckcls's Reasons for Adj
Nomination OF sornd-Money Men.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. July l6-rhe frank
avowal OF Secretary OF the Navy Herbert
and Of Secretary Of State Olgey that they
will not support the Bryan-Sewan ticket
and the guarded announcement CT Assis-
tant Secretary of the Treasury Hamlin.
who presumably represents President
Cleveland and Secretary Carlisle have
made the question OF the third ticket more
prominent than even the speculation on
the possible action Of the Populist conven-
tion next week at ST. Louis. Ii is gen.
orally believed that the administration Ia
vors an independent ticket. On the other
hand, politicians like Senator Hill Senator
Cray and Senator German. who believe
that the Democratic party viii outlive the
overwhelming defeat i'm store for IL next
fan, are opposed TO any attitude of open
antagonism 10 tho regusr organization. Ii
appears to be the general fact that those
prominent Democrats who look for no fur
ther ''favors'' from their party and who on
the fifth day of next March will forever re-
tire TO political obscurity. are all favoring
independent action by the gold Democrats.
while men like HIN and German. who stll
expect much. after their party has been
resurrectcd, oppose such action
The action OF the New York Democrats.
of whom Senator Hin is the recognized
leader. will be taken the signal for ac-
ton in all States. 1t is significant that at
their State convention last month the
Democrats nominated no presidential elec-
tors. This omission was largely COM
mented on at the time. as IL was at variance
with all precedent. The selection of the
electors was left 10 the convention which
meets next September 10 nominate candi-
dates for the State ticket il is now be-
ing earnestly advocated by very many
Democrats in New York that the same
course in regard 10 the presidential electors
be pursued next September, so that the
election could go by default TO Mr.. Nc
Kinley. while the Democrats centered all
their energies or the State ticket. For it
must be remembered that 10 Senator Hill
the State ticket this fall Is OF supreme i'm
portance, since the Legislature. which is
then elected. chooses his successor TO the
United States Senate.
This policy OK not selecting presidential
electors. If carried out. would make IL
necessary for the Bryan managers TO have
presidential electors pledged 10 vote for
him nominated by the Populists or by some
other orga nixation than the regular Demo-
cratic party. They might even appeal 10
the courts TO compel the Democratic
party TO perform its functions, or
they might endeavor 20 obtain legal de-
cision recognizing the Bryan electors as
the regular Democratic candidates. and en-
titled TO appear as such the blanket bal
lot But ii is probable that the courts
would uphold the action OF the regular or
ganization. in which case the policy sus-
gested would be the most certain way OF
insuring the election OF the Mckinley elec-
tors.
Another proposition is that the Demo-
cratic party nominate the same electors
that are selected by the Republicans. thus
throwing every Republican and Demccrtic
vote solid for Mckinley. The objection 10
this plan IL that IL would compel the Demo-
Gratis to head their column cn the blan@eL
ballot with the names OF Mckinley and
Hobart. and this would De 80 opcn a heiS
as to threaten the stability OF the state or
ganization. The new ballot law lTOvides
that the names Of the presidential condi-
dates shall be- printed over tne n9snts for
presidential electors. for. while tht latter
have nominally freedom Of action, they are
actually pledged TO vote Tor tht caid.a Al q
OF the national convention
There is still another way which Is adj
vocated by large numbers OF Democrats.
| and that is 10 join in third party move
| ment and have the regular State organiza-
| But there are several objections 10 this
| course. In the frs. place it Is nol certain
| fnat the stare Cftsdu41dtiOl Iobtu - 20 laf
! controlled by the sounc money ne az 20
60 this Even IL the regular rSanizafton
did enter the third party movement II Is
quite possible that the courts woJtd decide
| that Bryan and Scwai were the regular
! candidates. in which case IRE Iryan elec-
! tors would appear on the official ballot -
/ the regular Democratic card'Cat1S and this
would put the machine IN an awkward
position. There are 80 many objections
/ raised 10 every one OF these propositions
| that a large number OF Democrats think
| the best thing 10 do Is 20 indorse the Chi
| cago ticket and select Bryan electors. thus
/ preserving the party regularity. AND at the
same time to conine the party activity
| entirely 10 the State ticket and 20 place no
| obstacles in the way OF individual Demo-
Gratis voting as their conscienccs dictated
against the candidates OF dishonest money
| and Populism. The probleTa. anyway IL -
| put. is not an easy one 10 solve.