New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-14
ADMINISTRATION IN DOUBT.
wuurHER TO COME OUT FOR MKINLEY
OR A THIRD TICKET.

POWER TO DEFEAT BRYAN AND PRESERVE
THE NATIONAL HONOR AND CREDIT
CASE WHERE PARTY LINES
MUST BE IGNORED.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNr.l
washington, July 13-In consequence Of
president Cleveands refusal to say anything
whatever for publication in regard to the pro-
seedlings and action of the Chicago Convention,
The members Of his Cabinet and Administration
ofieials generally. naturally and perhaps prop
srly. refrain from public expression Of their
own views. That this condition Of reticence will
not long continue there are the best and strong
.st reasons to believe. for 1t is not a condition
caused by indifference or an unwlingness on
the part Of the Administration publicly to ex-
nress and assert it's views 1t seems
necessary or expedient to do so. Neither Is 1t
10 be assumed in this case that silence means
,naction The contrary is true. Even before
n. nomination Of the Demo- Popuist Bryan was
made. the determination Of the Administration
% exert all its influence to defeat any
candidate who might be placed on the platform
adopted at Chicago was taken. This fact has
tefore been asserted in these disr PATCHES, and 1t
IL now reasserted on indisputable authority
10 carry out this determination.
succinctly stated the attitude Of the Admin
istration Is this: Anything to defeat the Chi
cago ticket and platform"
Democrats who believe that the best and
most effective way to assist in doing so Is by
openly advocating and supporting the Repub-
Ican National ticket will not be discouraged
but encouraged In taking that course whether
al
10 nominate a sound money Democratic National
ticket will depend altogether upon the main
question: "Will this plan contribute to the de-
feat OF the Chicago ticket?'
Unless a clear. strong and unequivocal ar
rrmative answer can be given to this question
by the advocates Of the plan, 1t will not re-
,e,ve the approval and support Of President
Cleveland and the members Of his Administra-
,,on The views Of Mr. Cleveland on this point
do not appear TO have been communicated 70
members of the Administration who are now IN
Washington. No doubt whatever is felt or ex-
nresccd however, as to his desires and deter
ro,oat,on TO exert all the influence In his power
70 defeat the Chicago ticket and platform, both
~ (Which he and his friends and supporters re-
pa-d "a not only un-Democratic. but menace
to the country.
ANYTHING TO BEAT bh1AN'
~ rr,vate conversation with men who. they
tnoy. will not betray their confidence members
of the Administration who are known 70 ENJOY
the Presidents confidence In a high degree 90
not hesitate freely to express their Vle~s hor
do they mince words In the course OF a con-
versation with a Tribune correspondent to-day
one Of these officials said'
.svv. and the Republicans are at one In this
hou nhf
the Democratic National organization have
framed a platform which does not contain
single element Of true Democracy. and the dec
,arations of which, If carried into effect. would
lead to National reputation and dshonor and
,nfamy Upon that platform has been placed an
tpnorant and inexperienced man. who. in the
short four years that he served In the National
House Of Representatives. managed. by his ex-
treme and inconsiderate utterances. to forfeit
the confidence even of members OF the party who
favored free-silver coinage. and. In the closing
months Of his Congressional career. he was re-
garded by them as a full-fedged Populist. do
Lot wonder that he is the idol of the Tiilmans
and Altgelds. but do wonder that any Popuiist
leader should refuse to acknowledge his politicai
orthodox. Such a platform and such candi-
date seem to leave only one course open to men
who desire to preserve free government and
maintain National honor. They are brought
face TO face with an emergency which dwarfs
into nsignifcance all mere party issues. and
they must act as patriots and not as partisans."
What course will the sound-money Democrats
In general be likely to pursue?" asked the cor
respondent
In general terms should say that course
which will be likely to contribute most to the
success Of the Republican National ticket or the
defeat Of the Chicago ticket. which amounts to
the same thing. The Chicago platform and
ticket have so aroused the resentment of hun
dreds OF thousands Of Democrats that they will
support and vote for Mckinley and Hobart In
any event as the most effective protest they can
make. They argue that one vote for the Repub-
lican National ticket will count as much as two
Tay-at-homes II sound money Democratic
National ticket should be placed in the field. as
many OF our friends propose, 1t would receive
the support Of many Democrats whose party
ties are so strong that they would refrain from
voting except for Democratic candidates. Such
ticket would probably be relatively stronger In
the States south of Mason and Dixon's line than
In those north Of It,.
What do you think Of the outlook in the
Southern Border States?" asked the corre-
spondent
Well. with a vigorous campaigD conducted
On proper lines the Republicans ought to and
IN my opinion, will carry Delaware. Maryland
West Virginia, Kentucky. Tennessee and Mis-
souri,. In fact. there seems to be no reason
Why they should not do so. II they will take
advantage Of the opportunity which the Chicago
Platform has given them. and make It clear
70 the voters that they must choose between dis
honesty and dishonor. and honesty and honor
make them perceive that without National honor |
and honesty there can be no National or indi-
vidual prosperity"
A THIRD TICKET-PRO AND CON.
Another prominent Democratic official to-day |
saio: 1T will need very great care and thought |
ana thorough consultation before the question |