The San Francisco call., 1896-06-11
correspondent tonight, in reply to

eS, of course; l have neard my name
mentioned as permanent chairman OF the
convention. I do not know whether the
reports that Republican leaders want me
to accept in that capacity have any real
foundation or not, but l think not. They
might select better man than myself ior
chairman. However, if they so decide,
will obey. "For," said he, II am soldier
"What will the platform be, SenatorT
Briefly it will declare For protection and
sound money" ne replied.
Perry S. Heath, who, next to Marcus
Hanna, Congressman GrCsvenor or A. c.
Thompson of Ohio. is Major McKlnley's
closest political confident, said tonight:
can interesting and peculiar condition
exists in several OF the States respecting
the issues which will be foremost in the
approaching campaign. 1t does not now
seem at all likely that there Will be any
thing like bolt of the silver States on &C.
count of the adoption OF sound-money
plank in the platform. 1t was expected
by many few weeks ago, that the most
rabid free-silver States would walk out OF
the convention, but there is much reason
ing and counciling upon every hand ana
the probability is that the fight for silver
will be confined within the lines OF the
party without any bolts.
prominent Republican leaders from all
OF the silver States excepting Nevada have
visited our headquarters during the past
two or three days and expressed the
opinion that the Mckinley electoral ticket
would be elected in their States upon
sound-money platform, while free-silver
Legislatures and Congressman would be
elected at the same time by Republicans.
They argue that McKinley's we'll known
and pronounced and popular position
upon the tariff will insure his election in
most if not all of the silver States, even
though he does stand upon the soundest
kind OF a sound-money platform, because
the protectionists are willing to take Nc
Kinley on account of his protection prin-
c1ples, thus securing the protection object
through the executive branch of the Gov
ernment and silver legislation sentiment
through the legislative branch. When one
looks into this proposition it does not ap-
pear as inconsistent as at first blush.
Every candidate has had some quality
which recommended him most promi-
nently to the franchise o. the people.
There is no doubt that the greatest
strength of Mckinley lies in the fact that
he more perfectly than any of the aspir-
ants represents the protection side of the
Republican decalogue. Republicans are
universally protectionists, and even if the
personifcation of protection is opposed to
their ideas on a single phase of the money
question, they will accept him and sup
port him and attempt to secure the enact
ment of their desires on the financial
question through other directions. The
Republicans who some time ago argued
in favor of the idea that protection and
free silver should 60 side by side are DOW
saying that they are willing to take pro-
lection in one hand and seek free silver
with the other. There is no doubt that
even in the silver States the tariff will be
the leading issue, as the country has suf-
fered from the deficiency in the Treasury
Department at Washington from a lack of
revenue sufficient to meet the necessary
expenditures and pauper labor abroad. Of
course it is expected that the most ardent
free-silver States will make free silver an
issue of great prominence, and in some
States silver will take precedence over the
tariff, but the localities which will make
silver the only issue are few and remote.
"East of the Missouri the tariff and its
bearing upon labor questions will be the
great issue. 1t looks now as though the
Republicans in tie silver States would be
able to adjust the issGes before them IN
such way as to insure success for the
National ticket without coming in conflict
with the paramount local issues"
Perry Heath is an old-time Washington
g..
representative of the Columbus Dispatch,
Indianapolis Journal and other papers.
While acting as the Journal correspond
ent he established and maintained friendly
relations with Senator Benjamin Harrison,
who, when he became President, reposed
great confidence in his newspaper friend
and impaired to him many political and
official secrets. Mr.. Heath several years
ago became financially interested in the
Cincinnati Commercial Gazette and was
its business and editorial manager His
paper was regarded as Mckinley's State
organ, and il is understood that Mr.
Heath relinquish his active work on the
paper in order to enter into the political
canvass in Major McKinley's interest. OF
cor -se Mr.. Heath is certain that Mr.. Nc
Klnley will be nominated on the first
ballot.
"Who, in your opinion, will be named
for second placer" he was asked to-day.
Mr.. Heath skillfully parried this blunt
interrogatory, but after naming over sew
eral of the most prominent Republicans
who have been mentioned in that connec-
ton, said that Mr.. Hobart of New Jersey
would make strong candidate who would
command the confidence of the business
men of the country, as Mr.. Hobart is es.
sentially business man. Besides, he lives
in one of the pivotal States.
"Would Mr.. Hobarts nomination be
acceptable to the Mckinley managers and
supporters2" he was asked.
"Quite So" said Mr.. Heath.
"I notice that John NJ. Thurston of
Nebraska is wearing Mckinley and
Hobart lapel button" suggested THE
CALL correspondent.
"Yes," said Mr.. Heath, ''and it is one of
the first issues
"This, coupled with the fact that Thur
ston is strong Mckinley man, might
naturally be regarded as significant"
"Yes, perhaps So" answered Mr.. Nc