Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-07-02

and also that in case OF failure TO con
suit them and the selection OF presid-
| ing officer whose visws were not IN mar
mony with those of the majority, they
would be heard from in the convention.
The silver men also stated that they
would be satisfied with, and would &C.
cept, any man designated by the nation.
al committee, provided he was man
of recognized standiDgin the party, and
that he was man whose views were
understood everywhere to be in accord
with their own on the financial question.
All the members of the executive
committee expressed q desire to pre-
serve the utmost harmony in the con-
vention and among individuals. In
this expression they were heartily
joined by the silver men with the men
tai reservation that the rule of the ma
jority should be made manifest from
the beginning.
Chairman Hsrrity's exact position
was that the full national committee
would have to pass upon the temper
airy craftsmanship, and that he had no
means of knowing how the members
of the committee would regard the sub
ject.
1t is not yet certain whether there
will be general disposition in the
convention to follow the lead made by
the Illinois delegation in declaring for
the abrogation of the twO-thirds rule.
The action of the Illinois people in the
matter has had the effect of reviving
interest in the subject. There is, I'M
qnestionably, strong faction favor
able to the course outlined by the IL
linoisans, who contend that the rule is
undemocratic, and who would Like TO
see it cancelled on general principles.
II, however, it is abrogated, the action
will be due to the difficulty of securing
the necessary two-thirds to nominate
with the rule still in existence. 1t is
contended by many that by the time
the nominating stage OF the convention
is reached the silver men will be able
to command fully two-thirds of the
voting strength of the convention, and
they argue if this should prove to be
the case there would be no necessity
for changing the rules.
Comptroller Eckels, of the Treasury
Department, said yesterday that he ex-
pected Mr.. Whitney and others of the
anti-silver wing of the party on Friday.
Mr.. Eckels thinks that after that time
the complexion of sentiment will change
somewhat, and that the silver people
will not have such complete command
of the situation as they now appear to
have.
Asked if the gold men would bolt the
convention, in case of positive pro.
nouncement for free silver, Mr.. Eckels
expressed the opinion that there would |
be no open bolt; "but," he said, "there
would be detection at the polls, which |
it would be impossible to prevent. The |
rank and file of the party cannot be
made to stand up for the party name
if the party convention insist upon |
overturniDg all democratic precedents.
Senator David B. Hill and William
G. Whitney are expected here on Fri
day afternoon, and their coming is
looked forward to as the opening of the
conflict of the eastern gold advocates
against the silver men.
Richard P. Bland, in an interview in
Lebanon, Mo-, yesterday predicted the
nomination and election of free silver
candidates. He thinks if the United
States were to open the minis to the
free and unlimited coinage of silver
the other leading nations will prompt
ly follow the example.