Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-16
Delegates Already Elected FaVoring
the White Metal.
CLAIM THEY WILL CONTROL ATCH.CAGO
Significant Occurrences at Some
of the Conventions.
A CHANCE FOR THE SOUTH

Four states and the District of Columbia
have held conventions up to now for the
purpose of electing delegates to the ma
uOnal democratic convention, and out of
the uncertainty which reigned two months
ago something tangible in the way of
Judging the sentiments Of the democrats
of the country is developing
Three months ago the silver element of
the party was down In the mouth" and
without hope of doing anything at the ma
tional convention Today 1t is the other
element which lacks confidence and the
silver men are bOasting Justify over what
they will do or what they will not do.
Including Missouri and Colorado, which
acted yesterday and the District of CO.
lumbia. at least five of the delegates of
which are claimed to be for silver, the
white metal men have sc delegates elected
who can be counted on for a silver candi-
date and a silver platform. Add Alabama
10 the list, it being conceded that the sill
Yer men have won, and the total number
of delegates is S. every one for silver.
This is a long and important lead for the
silver men, who believe that the confidence
now manifested in their ranks on every
side means victories in unexpected quar-
ters- the vote of the states which have
acted Is follows: Missouri, 81: Colorado
5; oregon, :; Washington, 5; District of
Columbia. q. Alabama's state convention
is held on the 2lst of this month.
Some Significant Occurrences.
There have been several significant oc-
currences a some of the conventions. In
Missouri Silver Dick Bland is indorsed
for President, and in the Colorado conven-
tiOn Vest and COckrelI are eulogized as
the foremost American statesmen. With
Senator Tillman present and urging them
to his ideas of thinking, follows the out
spoken intimation from Charles s. Thomas,
# he il1s S.-1r-I -I1-l cole
radO, that the men from that state will
bolt the democratic convention rather than
indorse any action in favor of gold stand
ard. While his way to Denver Senator
Tillman was asked who he considered the
brainiest man in the Senate, and his answer
was, Senator Vest. These swappings of
compliments and the applause given to the
names OF Bland. Vest and Cockrell in the
Colorado convention are not believed to be
the result of a spontaneous feeling. Some
regard it as the first bit of diplomacy in
bringing about great political union of
the south, west and northwest, and as hav-
ing been planned ahead of time. AT any
rate, ii is all regarded putting such men
as Vest, Tillman, Cockrell and Bland in
the lead in the silver fight They are work
ing together and are working for either
formal or informal plan.
CHANGING at Candidates.
There is further significance in the fact
that at Denver Senator Tillman was roy
ally received and that Tiliman clubs have
been organized to herald his praises and to
sustain him in his attacks On the admins
tration and the opponents of silver. Does
it mean that Colorado will support Tillman
as the presidential nominee? Again, in
Missouri. BLAND is put forward as the pres
identiaI choice BoIn of these men are re-
garded as serious aspirants for the nomina
ton by the extreme advocates of silver in
the party
A Chance for the south.
Putting everything together, it begins to
look like the silver men of the south con-
sfder that they are entitled to the nomiua-
tion this time. and that their western
brethren are backing them in their desire
Four years ago it ould have been thought
folly to suggest the name of Bland or
Tillman for President, or even Vice PreSi-
dent. These things betoken confidence
somewhere, and a determination that the
nen who have elected the democratic
tickets in the past shall have some recos-
milton of their services,
Extremis:s I'm the Saddle.
Up to now the extremists of the party
are in the saddle and are walking away
from the conservatives of the party. The
Eames of Bland and Tillman are applaud
ed, while nothing is said of such men as
Crisp. who is the conservative leader. The
question has been asked, if the south is
like Crisp get the nomination? The answer
has been that he was born in England and
is dcuarIed from holding the office of Presi-
dent. Talking on this the other day a gold
standard Congressman said: That kind
OF talk is bCsh. 1t is true that Judge Crisp
was born in England, but his parents were
American and were over there temporarily.
His father was travelling actor and went
everywhere. He was an American, and so
is his son in the fullest sense of the word.
Judge Crisp is as eligible to the presidency
as any man in the country
VIII Hardly BE From the south.
The best posted southern politicians do
rot think there is any probability that the
nominee will be from the south. Many
southern men will not consent to that plan
themselves. They believe that it would en-
danger the slim chances the party now has
OF electing its nominees. They will be con-
tented, they say, to see the nominee come
from the west If that is done they will
ask for the vice presidential nominatio
and think they Will get 1t, because they are
entitled TO il.