, 1896-07-06

in the Bland camp. The withdrawal o
the Illinois delegation. after the -four
ISL Of trumpets with which its arriva
was announced might prove disastrous
The Matthews boom seems to hav,
been shattered by the ROY in the In
diana delegation between the gold ant
silver delegates, over the question Of
retiring National Committeeman
Sheerin. 1t is evident that Governor
Matthews made perhaps a fatal blum,
der in insisting that several of his per,
sonal friends who were for gold should
go on the delegation.
The Blackburn boom does not seem
to be progressing. but John R. Mclean
of Ohio, the proprietor of the Cincin-
natl Enquirer, is developing into a
power in the convention. He is sur
rounded by trained politicians, whose
touch is felt everywhere. Although
they are quietly urging him for first
place on the ticket, it is well under
stood that his aim is to secure the
nomination for vice president. His
corporate interests are initiating
against him, but his power is evident
and there is a prevailing feeling that
he can secure second place on the tick,
ct. 1t is said the Bland men have tried
to make a combination with him de-
spite the fact it is pretty well known
that Mr.. Mclean himself believes that
Teller would be the strongest man to
nominate.
FOR A SINGLE PLANK.
Considerable discord is developing
among the silver men over the rival
ries naturally created by The candi-
dates, and there is also dissension over
che platform. Many of the leaders are
strongly in favor of a single declar-
alton for free silver and the practical
ignoring of all other questions.
The tariff question, especially. they
desire to be handled gingerly. lest it
drive from them the free silver republic
cans of the west, who are moderate
protectionists. Others, on the other
hand. think there should be a regular
democratic platform covering all the
pending issues of the day. Some even
favor a very radical tariff plank. All
this bodies i'll for the prophets of a short
convention.
The gold men, led by Whitney. pro-
fess to be encouraged by the outlook.
Their plans seem to be based on the
future contingencies. Having failed to
make an impression on the solid pha-
lanxes of silver. their purpose seems to
be to stir up strife and take advantage
of such dissensions as may be caused
in the opposition.
The great advantage which they pos
sess. always the strength of a hopeless
minority, is their compactness.
We are a well organized force" said
Don NJ. Dickinson of Michigan. who is
here with the prestige of. having
snatohed a victory for gold from what
was admitted to be a silver convention.
in Michigan. I'VE are fighting an UNI
organized mob, resolved only on one
rhing-a declaration for the free coin
age of silver
WILL NOT COMPROMISE.
Such a declaration they cannot hope
to prevent, but they are now using an
ingenius argument to secure a compro-
mise on platform and candidate. They
tell the silver leaders that if a demo-
crat is placed on a free silver platform.
the silver republicans Of the west would
abandon them and the eastern democ-
racy will be destroyed. and they will
be left high and dry, with only the sill
yer democratic support and without the
sinew of war. either from the east or
west. They tell them therefore, that
they are confronted with the alterna-
tive of nominating a republican to get
the support and aid of the silver mine
owners. or yielding to the demand for
a compromise from the east, in which
latter event the eastern men agree to