The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-07-08

course to make the hoancIal the
main feature and subordinate every
thing else 10 it,
"The platform will be satisfactory to
everybody" said Representative Hart
mau of Montana, who bolted the St
Louis convention with Mr.. Teller, aod
who is here looking after the Teller iu-
terests. Nobody eau fad faul, with
it, aud if Mr.. Teller is nominated, a,
he will be. it will sweep the country. F."
Federal ofhoe-bolders are beginning
to come in, but whether or no: they
will take any part in the proceedings
has not yet developed. Charles H
Hamlin. assistant secretary Of the treas
ury, arrived this morning and started
out to Gnd William G. Whitney and
Doc NJ. Dickson. A. A Wilson, mar.
shal of the District of bia. ope of
closest of the Presidents political
friends, is also here. j. S. Van
Sender, private secretary to Secretary
Carlisle aod we'll known Democratic
worker in Kentucky, is another admin
istration man who is looking after
things. Secretary Morton has nos been
in evidence since be reached Chicago.
He is stopping at the Chicago club aud
does not frequent the hotel corridors or
headquarters.
Last nights mass meeting Of the gold
men was a remarkable demonstration
from the standpoint of attendance aDd
of the noted men who spoke or we're
present as spectators The absence Of
Senator Hill is causing much comment.
Mr.. Hill was asked to attend and make
speech. bu, be declined point blank
to do either, Rumors as to his reasons
for declining to serve are numerous,
but Mr.. Hill is not gratifying the Curl
ositv Of those who desire to know the
truth.
HARRIS WILL PRESIDE
1t is conceded that Senator Harris
of Tennessee will be the permanent
chairman of the convention, and he has
made his arrangements to take posses
sion Of the gavel and assume control Of
body that gives promise of requiring
the leadership Of the skilled psrIamen-
tartan that be ssis Fc- several weeks
Senator Harris has been 10 i'll health,
but has recuperated and in bis room
at the Sherman honse this morning,
told reporter for the Southern Asso.
ciated Press that he was in gooc ply.
sical health and equal to any emergency
to which he might be called by the will
Of his party. He will make but a
very short speech iu accepting the posi-
Ion, leaving it to the temporary chair
man 10 sound the keynote for the con-
veution.
Free silver leaders who bave been Sc
lec,ed by the respective delegations as
members of the committee on resolu-
tions, aud others who will undoubtedly
form vast majority of that important
organization, have to-day been coofsr
ring together with respect to the text OF
the platform and the subject that eball
be mentioned therein. Only upon the
financial plaok has there been aoy def
ui,e agreement. This plank is to dom
mate the whole platform aDd all other
matters are to be second thereto. The
exact text has not yet been finally de-
termined' but that is a matter of detail
that ccan be easily arranged when the
committee gets together. That it will
be short and clear cut, concise decla-
ration for the free and uolimited coinage
of silver at ratio of 16 to l is fore
gone conclusion Two short sentences
are ali tha, will De necessary to cop-
struct this plank.
The indications are that those who
have hoped the platform would ignore
other matters will be disappointed.
Wsll-known men amoug those in con-
troll of convention matters, assert tha.
the tariff question must not be over
looked. While there is a diversity Of
opinion as to the advisability OF coming
out in 6at.footed endorsement OF the
Wilson tariff act. that Law will be lp
cideutally endorsed at least If the
Uuited States senators are permitted
to have their way, the platform will
declare that the present tariff law
should remain untouched uotil the ez-
igeucies Of the occasion prove that It's
modification is absolutely necessary.
Whether the income tax, which was
declared to be unconstitutional by the
supreme court, shall be referred to is
question upon which there is very great
difference of opinion. The majority of
the leaders. however, appear to be in
favor of recognizing the principle that
became part Of the Wilson tariff act,
and a determined effort is to be made
by delegates from some Of the Western
aud Southern States to secure an ex-