The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-28
STEVENSON PLAYING SPHINX.
THE CHICAGO CONVENTION MAY ma
sTAMPEDED FOR HIM.

No One Knows Where He stands on
the Financial Issue-The SiIverites
Think lie is with Them aud the
sound Money Men Confident That
He FavOrs n Gold BasIs-McIxIn-
Iey's Shrevvd Campaign and the Al
lfsOn BOOmIet.
Washington. April 27.-Among southern
democrats at the capitol. the impression
appears TO be growing that Vice Presl-
deaf Cleveland stands better chance OF
being struck by the presidential nomina-
ton lightning than any Of the gentlemen
who have yet been named. Some Of the
shrewdest men in the democratic party in
the south say they would not be surprised
10 see the Chicago nominating convention
bestow the honor upon Gen. Stevenson. 1t
is said that the convention being held in
Chicago. there Will be a great demonstra-
tion made over him II his name is pre-
sented by the Illinois delegation. Local
state pride is expected TO assert itself and
Il is claimed that he could carry that state
for the ticket on his personal popularity.
As to his financial policy. that is one OF
the great mysteries of the present day.
Since he has been in the vice presidents
chair, he has refrained from expressing
any public opinion on the money question.
so that neither gold-bugs nor the free
silver men are certain Of his position. In
the south, II is thought that he Is favor
able to free silver, while some OF his
friends In the north are equally confident
that he would not undertake 10 act contra
ry TO the wishes of a great majority OF
the practical business men of the country.
Thus Il appears that his position on the
money question Is matter Of doubt, and
all eftort TO get him to commit himself on
the subject have failed. During the past
week, II Is understood that several in
tiuential members Of the democratic party
have been to see him for the purpose OF
sounding. him on the money question,
with a view to starting well sustained
presidential boom in his behalf, He has
received all such callers with his usual
courtesy and good humor, but he has
positively declined to make any public
statement concerning the finances OF the
country, stating that as the presiding
officer Of the Senate. ne Is obliged TO ex-
ercise the greatest imparualhy IN his
ruling on all the questions submitted 20
him, and, therefore, it would not be
proper in his judgment to express any
opinion on the financial question while he
occupies the presiding officers chair.
Senator Gear who Is the Washington
agent Of the Allison boom, was DISCUSS
ing the presidential situation yesterday
with some friends at the capitol, and at
the same time distributing with free hand
the ALLISON campaign button" The sug-
gestiOn was made that the Mckinley man
ayers appear to have better and more
other asplrants. The tactics of the Me-
Kinleyites In New Hampshire, New York,
pennsylvania, Virginia and In several 9TH
er states, where the friends of the Ohio
man practically had their man accepted
as second choice after the complimentary
ballot Is given to certain 'favorite sons"
Senator Gear admitted the effectiveness
Of the Mckinley management but he
added that they not only have the organi-
cation, but they have the money to spend
at the various state conventions.
A practical politician, who happened
to be present, said in reply to that state-
ment from Senator Gear, that II was bad
politics TO cry fraud" at the other fellow
and charge that he had all the money
that was being spent In the campaign.
There might have been time, added the
practical politician, when that highly NOR
al kind Of talk might have appealed to
the conscience of the average politician,
but that day has gone by. There arc
thousands Of men who make their living
out or pohtics and they have but little
use for the candidate who sits back ana
waits TO be called to public Office by the
uncultivated voice of the people.
senator Gear Insisted that the people of
the United States, as general rule, resent
all attempts at intimidation or the use OF
Undue influence IN connection with the poll
itlcs % the nation.
The gentleman taking the opposite side
0f the discussion, admitted The truth OF
tnat assertion, but added that there are
also thousands Of voters who are to a cer-
tain extent Indifferent on the subject OF
politics, and unless they are looked after
and induced to take an interest in a poiit-
lcal contest, they stay at home and let the
election i'm their neighborhood go by de-
dault There Is another element in this
country VINO are not aYerse to receiving
falr compensation for their services to the
polhcians who are seeking public Office
Under the present system it IS not possible
Tor the successful candidates 10 do much
FOR their political friends in the way az
patronage and therefore those who do the
campaign work feel that they are not stul-
Trying themselves for receiving fair COM
pensatton for their labors in behalf Of the
aspirants for office. 1t was suggested that
the poorest play the anti-McKinley men
nave made during the present campaign Is
that OF charging Mckinley with having an
unlimited campaign fund. Instead of dis
gushing the average political worker IL
mas induced many of them who are per-
sonally friendly to some Of the other as
plrants, to give Mckinley the benefit OF
their services, because 1t is understood
that his managers are making a practical
business Tight, and are not depending upon
sentiment to win delegations at state con-
Yentions. 1t was difficult to controyert
thoSe statements of fact, so the distribu-
ton of Allison buttons continued and the
conversation turned upon the slowly but
surely increasing prospects Of 'Iowa's
faVortte son."
TWO FAILURES AT BOSTON.