, 1896-07-06
CHICAGO CONVENTION.
SPECIALIZING UPON THE MAN
WHO WILL BE DEFEATED
BY M'KINLEY.
The Only Possibility for Teller is a
Deadlock Between Boise and Bland
Bland the Probable Choice
Talk Of a Caucus of the Silver Men
is Heard.

Chicago, July 5.-This is to be one O
the most remarkable conventions il
the history Of American politics. Will
the convention but As hours away, ant
almost three-fourths of the delegates
IN the ground, it is so hedged about by
conditions hat little can be forseen as
to candidates.
The feature of the day has been the
seeming utter collapse of the Teller
boom. The talk of the existence of the
senatorial cabal plotting to secure Tell.
er's nomination has aroused among
many Of the incoming delegates a feel.
ing of the most bitter and passionate
resentment and the cry is heard every
where that the nominee must be a dem
Ocrat. 1t is considered almost treason
to suggest Teller. This strong revolt
against what is deemed an attempt a,
senatorial dictation seems to have
checkmated the cabal. AS the free sill
yer republican and populist leaders
realize that the game is slipping away
from them, they are inclined to grow
ugly in their desperation. The former
have begun to predict defeat if a demo-
crat is nominated on the ground that
no matter how disposed they might be
to support a democrat on a free silver
platform, their friends in the western
states would not follow them bag and
baggage into the democratic party.
The party could, with difficulty, be re-
strained today from issuing an address
saying they could not support a demo-
crat. Both were met with the argu-
ment that if their professions of de-
votion 20 the silver cause were not hol-
low pretences. they must join hands
elect a candidate on the issue. So far
as the silver republican boilers were
concerned, it was argued that II they
walked out of the St. Louis convention
because of their convictions, they must
choose, If the %populists carried out
their threats, between the nominee OF
a party that controlled well nigh halt
the votes in the country and the nomi-
nee of a populist convention at St.
Louis.
The Teller interview from Denver,
printed here this morning. saying he
would support the nominee Of this n
vention. completed their discomfit-
ure. 1t exposed their bluff.
Although the possibility Of Teller's
selection now seems to have vanished,
the democratic leaders. who still be-
lieve he is the most available candi.
date, though they may for the present
have been driven out into the open and
forced to publicly spouse the cause Of
some other candidate, are powerful
men and skilled and trained political
generals, and the plot to nominate
Teller must. until the nomination is
actually made, be reckoned with as a
dead-fall into which the convention
may be precipitated by shrewd man
ipulation. If opportunity offers.
The revolt against the cabal has un-
questionably had the effect of hasten
ing declarations by arriving delegates
in favor OF the two leading candidates.
Bland and Boies, and both claim large
acquisitions today. The boomers Of
both also began to arrive in force to,
day and their headquarters were be-
sieged by marching clubs, headed by
brass bands and the countless thous-
ands OF shouters who tumbled along in
their wake.
BLAND AND BOIES.
1t Is a question whether Bland or
Boies has been the gamer by today's
developments. The Iowa candidates
managers have received many assur-
ances OF support from the south and
west. and, although Bland is still hail
ed and. heralded as the logical candi-
date and is undoubtedly gaining
ground, he has some weak points in the
present arrangement OF his lines. The
legitimate character Of the declaration
of the Illinois delegation for the Mis-
souri, candidate yesterday. which was
to carry with it the influence of Gov
ernor Altgeld, is questioned.
The declaration, based on an alleged
poll OF the delegation, was engineered
by Secretary of State Hinrichsen, after
he had secured a statement from Alt
geld that the latter would abide by the
will of the majority. The Altgeli men
now challenge the accuracy Of the poll
and throw out intimations that sharp
practice was resorted to. 1t Is believed,
however. by Altgeld's close frien'ls
that as between the two candidates he
would be for Bland rather than Boise
on account Of the formers de!enses o.
his action during the Chicago -iots end
the latter's Endorsement OF the admin.
ttration.
no CoNDEM FEDERAL INTER.
FERENCE.
One Of Altgeld's pet purposes is te
secure the adoption of a plank in the
platform condemning federal troop in
tarfWsace in the local affairs of tn,
staxss. Tue doubt cast on Altgeld'i
attitude Furnishes . cause Tor anxiet,