New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-02
WHITNEY'S REAPPEARANCE.
HIS MISSISSIPPI LETTER STARTS POLL
TICIANS TALKING.

ter 10 the Editor Of "The Clarion Ledger" OF
Jackson. Miss expounding his Views In regard
to the free coinage Of silver, and concluding
with a statement Of his attitude concerning the
Presidency. is universally interpreted by the
Democratic politicians OF the State capital to
mean that he Is a candidate for the Presidency
and they look to his attempting to gain the
support OF the Democrats Of this state ana
other States for the great office Mr.. whitney,
after disclaiming any knowledge OF "Whit-
ney movement" and with comic earnestness
beseeching his friends In the Southern states
not to join 1t, declares himself opposed 10 the
free coinage OF silver and yet "A believer IN
gold and silver as the metallic basis OF values
and OF the worlds currency. ana says he Is
confident that within a time not far distant
there will be a concurrence Of the nations upon
that subject BY which the ratios Of value OF
the two metals for coinage and currency pui
poses will be fixed. and the stability OF such
values maintained by international agreement
Finally he thus speaks about the Presidency:
These opinions | do not entertain or sNpe piss
as a candidate for the Presidency !for "hicn o, .
have already said | would not De hT "a jews az
but In order that your people VINO nay w y, ,,,na
ferng from these may not be deceived as 10 Hii"r'
Commenting upon this letter Of Mr. Whitneys'
one Of the most conspicuous Democrats IN the
state and a personal friend Of the ex-Secretary
If the Navy said here to-day: Mr.. whitney
letter reminds me very much Of Samuel j. III
denis c!rcuitous way Of reaching the once OF
Governor of the State Of New-York. The plan Is
list Ike Tilden's At time when no enc was
thinking Of Tildsn for Governor he began writing
letters TO various people about the state deciit-
ing that he not candidate ior r'''i''''.
The consequences followed that Tiiden eNpecleo
people began talking about him as III ma"
for Governor who could thus declare In all seem
ing canlor that he was not seeking the Office
Mr. Whitney. without doubt, assumes recep-
tive attitude in his letter. He SUBSTANTIALLY Nd! =
he would accept a nomination for the presidency
and names the financial plank OF the PLATFORM
r,ree coinage? no he would not accept a nomi-
nation for President on that platform. The coin
.y..a certain amount II SILVER by internationil
agreement? Yes. that Is clearly his platform.
Mr. Wh!tncy's launching Of this ette: just now
=, tho oniuton ~ Democratic politicians. was a
s,ep taken In view ~ the aggressive canvass tor
d.,.y,,.s To- the Democratic National Conven-
,lon NOW being made By Governor Matthews, "i
Indiana; Morrison II Illinois; Pattison. OF Penn
svlvania and the announcement that John ID
Carlisle. Secretary Of the Treasury. Is seeking
suuport FOR the Presidency ir Eastern states as
vol AS IN Kentucky. The boom Tor Richard
Olney. secretary Of stat" and for william T.
Russell I'm Massachusetts may also have had i'S
Influence with Mr. whitney when he decided -
writ. his letter and thus 10y indirect path seek
the Presidency. james ". fIlnkley. the Hartman
= the Democratic state Committee. in a recent
letter stated that neither David b. iiill nor Kos
we'll T. Flower was a caaiidate fcr President this
wear and that william &. Whitney Would nave
III. support u the NewYork delegates 10 IN"
- i.n he
that support
II ia nj vet clear however. that Mr.. Hinkl"y
IN This statement regarding Mr.. Whitney spoke
bv m. authority = Richard Croker, Edward
Murphv. ir. Hugh Mclaughlin and William r.
Sh..hau. Who have III. control OF the Democratic
STATE Committee II this state, nni also have fuiI
possession ~ the machinery 81 the Democratic
party I'm this State Undoubtedly Mr. Whitney
f. on the fricnd,erst terms with Hugh Mclaugh-
lin and ne has been credited also with having
great Influence with Richard Croker. But II IL
notorious that Elwari Murphy. jr. opposed the
tariff policy of the Democratic National Admin
istration and Mr. Whitney. as one closely allied
with that Administration. may not BE- looked
upon by him therefore with high favor Yet
Murphy. Shcchan. Croker and Mclaughlin are
DESTROYS II climbing back into political power IN
this State and therefore they may be wlllihg 10
support Mr.. Whitney for the Prtr'idercy heartily
IN return FOR the support ~ the Cleveland Demo
crats for some man agreeable T. them FOR TOW
ernor. Senator Murphy also doubtless begins "
think ~ the expiration OF his oxn term as United
States Senator In 1899. and 10 be anxious ior the
return Of the Democratic party 10 power IN 'his
State IN order that his own chances "t a re-e'-
tion as senator may be increased senator iilh
term expires In 1891. and therefore 1t VIII be MS
policy also 10 seel: the favor Of the Cleveland
Democrats
Mr. Whtneys running mate In this state In
the Judgment Of some Democratic politicians
may be Daniel :. Lamont. the Secretary OF war.
MI Lamont has said repeatedly that ne mas no
ambition 10 BE- Governor. and that At the ex-
pratlon Of his term Of office as member OF MT.
Clcveland's Cabinet he intends 10 return TO New
York ana pay close attention to his business Ar
fairs But II is quite possible that II MT hithey
should gain the nomination for President ne
would accept the nomination FOR Governor MT
Whitney and he were In business together be-
tween 1889 and 1893 and their personal ana po-
i,ical relations friendly In the highest degree
ANY sacrifice Ike that Of running FOR Governor
OF New-York in year when the Democratic
party Is apparently doomed To defeat Colonel
Lamont undoubtedly would make for AIR. WHIT
ner.
But there Is one thing that should be men
toned In view OF the possibility OF Secretary
Lamont becoming a candidate for Governor IN
this State. namely. that Democratic politicians
crat Governor Of New York and OF giving
the electoral vote. OF NewYork to the Demo
cratic candidate for President They believe
that Mr. PIatts policy Of surrenderng Repub-
lican Brooklyn to tie domination OF Tammany
New-iork viii cstrangc from the Republican
party at least 10000 votes In the city OF Bro DIX
Ign Added to this the passage OF the Raines
Liquor Tax bill, with It's creation OF gigantic
political machine allied To the liquor trade. VIII,
In their opinion. deprive the Republican party
of many thousands OF other votes. Then they
argue that party feeling always runs nigh IN
year when President is elected ana. there
fore. that most Democrats will vote their party
ticket this fall. In opposition to TINS theory
they have 10 confess that the FEELING IN tne
manufacturing and farming districts OF the
State in favor OF a protective tarin VIII I'M
doubleday give the Republican party huge
vote In the State Of New York. ana propaDly
give the state to the Republican candidates Tor
President and Governor.
There are several Democrats besides the sec
rotary OF War who mentioned as possibly
the choice of their party for Governor. me
younger men Of the party suggest inc homina