New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-29
HOPELESS GOLD DEMOCRATS.
A BIG SPLIT IN THE PARTY EXPECTED

uAsrrRN OPINION REFLECTED IN THE STATE
mENr OF Ex-sEcRETARY WHITNEY.
William c. Whitney's declaration, printed IN the
SUNDAY newspapers lkening the condition OF atalrS
81 the party OF the Nation 10 ,ha' Oh i
was read with intense interest In pohucal clC'eS
Yesterday. Prominent Democrats OF a" snaueS c'"-
currel with Mr. Whitney's view, and preulc'eu
aot IN tho Chicago Convention wide and irrepara-
hle as that which followed the Charleston CcnVen-
ton OF 1860 If the silver element persisted IN ther an
nounced purpose TO commit the Democratic parry u
the free and unlimited coinage of silver. Inc DEMO
Gratis did hesitate 20 say that the Eastern aoV0
cafes of sound money would be JUSTIFIED IN IeSlVis
the Convention in a body and placing In nominal
ton a Presidential ticket platform prccia1Inlng
adherence to the present monetary standard
what would be the effect OF such bolt IN TINS
md other Eastern states?" This question was ask
ed a former member OF the Democratic Na'iChai
Committee who has been noted for his feaIy 10 the
present Administration.
About half Of the Democrats In this latitude wouu
probably remain at home on election day. was 'he
decided reply. "A large proportion OF those VINO ou
vote would cast their ballots for Mckinley The
Democratic party would be split and DIVIDED as IL
never has been spit and divided in any previous
contest In my judgment compromise with those
silver fanatics is possible. Wholesale Democratic
defeat is preferable to affation with such people
The Democratic politicians of National repute VINO
have been in conference with Mr.. Whitney in this
city had nearly all gone 10 their homes yesterday.
Ben T. Gable, of Illinois. the only one OF MI
Whtneys guests who was in town last evening" 50
far as il could be learned and he was preserving
q careful reticence the important question wh'ch
brought the conference together. 1t was generally
admitted, however. that Mr. Whitney had expressed
the opinions practically of men who have been IN
ton with him. Senator HILL who had prom
Used 70 join in the deliberations OF the confeTees
failed to the gathering. 1t was said that MS
reason for staying away that he realized that
20 li-a M
rumorsd. is at work On a new scheme whlch ne VIII
spring in Chicago end OF the present week
A letter OF ex-COngressnan Tom L. Johnson. OF
Cleveland bearing date Of June 29 to-day, and ad-
dressed TO George p. Fithan. of Illinois, was crcu-
lated at the Fifth Avenue Hotel last evening. The
letter takes the ground that something else besides
the currency question will absorb the attention OF
the people in the coming campaign, and this ques-
ton, he says, is the tariff. Mr.. johnson, who is
rampant advocate of free trade says ne. would re-
jcice the prospect of platform that would force
out OF the ranks of the Democracy the representa-
tives Of the money kings and protected interests
lie is particularly severe on the Administration OF
Mr.. Cleveland and goes on 20 say:
This Democratic Convention ought TO declare IN
unnlisakabe terms for the Democratic principle OF
free trade opposed the Republican principle OF
protection--that is to say for equal rights for all
as opposed to special privileges for favored rev:
This is the principle Of free trade that goes 10 the
' rbs o OF AL eaD ia rne 4 IN IBIS Demo- na
cratic principle mircr mistakes WAL count 10Y niue
Protection In rs shape is embodied in the plat
form ana in the candidate of the Republican Conyen-
uon Let us, on our side, JOIN Issue win mem
declaring the Democratic principle to be no tariff
al all
josiah Quincy Mayor of Boston and ex-chairman
o. tho Democratic State Committee of Massachu-
setts said yesterday that the situation was c: the
gravest character but he hopes FOR better condi-
ton OF affairs when the Democrats assemble in
y Chicago, adding: The situation to-day, We
must admit Seems to be that the great question TO
be fought this fall Is the money question and
that the parties will be diametriCsy opposed with
the Democrats waving the free-co!nage has the
silver fanatcism is seductive and aluring. The
fact that 1t has seized hold Of the South and West
strongly makes the differences within party lines
OF the serious character. Still. are hoping
that gold may be recognized in the end"
When asked II the Massachusetts, delegation
would withdraw in OF a free-ccsnage plank
and a free-conage candidate, Mr.. Quincy remarked:
chuset EFT delegation under such conditions am
inclined to think however that the gold men in the
natural T to nfer that there VIII BE- b
ers The feeling G; Eassern Democrats and es,
movement that has been started in Boston 70 i'm.
the MONETARY nsiit1,ions Of the country depends
upon the maintenance of the gold standard: Pet
those Who sign 70 pis5se thsmsslyss rot vote
for any DsnocSnc Oandate for President VINO Is
many and of the names attached are those
Russell VIII not be presented to the Convention
for the nomination. but he will be in the ranks,
working fer the best interests OF the party.
II learned yesterday that the conferences OF
last week are to be continued and that stubborn,
ersstent fight will be made to the very end to
keep the Democratic party from declaring for free
coinage. Senator Calvin s Brice OF Ohio weeks
ago the storm cloud ars.ng within his party.
and predicted that the free-coinage men would have
majority OF 100 In the Convention. Since that
time he has increased his figures. and practically
admitted defeat Despite THIS. he Is counseng no
surrey~acr' and while he may not go 10 the Con-
vention personally. ne Gays at to be OBJ
vous MAT there = nothing LEFT for the party 10
look forward TO but square fight between the
two metals, and while there to be lkeli-
hood Of the silver men conceStng ANYTHING, owing
to the advantage they have. vet tn nix the gold
ought 70 continue the fsht Up TO the last. IN
order 70 I'M ross upon the freecoinage the
tresne gravity OF the situation
Bradley p. ssnaliey. who is a personal friend Of
Mr. Cleveland. Is much pcrturbel over the outlook.
Like the other god-standard leaders he is retIcent
about bolt" He left the city yesterday for his
home in Vermont. but Ia expected to return again
ths week Before going ne simply said: ~ cam.
predict what will be done at Chicago only
cav wfAt hone viii he lone and that Is
vfson for the maintenance OF the gold standard"