Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-17
What the Last Ballot for the Demo-
cratic Convention Shows.
Big FIGHT ON fHE FINANCIAL PLANK
The Candidate Regarded as Subor-
dinaie to the Platform.
EFFECT OF THIRD TERN

An examination of the last ballot taken
in the contest for the democratic national
convention shows that the southern and
the western men voted for st. Louis. This
means a stubborn fight when that body
: meets over the finarcial plank of the plat
form. 1t likewise marks change in senti-
ment in certain silver circles since last
week.
A Change of Sentiment.
Only a few days ago some of the warm
est friends Of silver from the south ex-
pressed in private conversation indiffer-
ence on the subject of where the conven-
ton should be held. They failed to vince
when New York even was mentioned. Let
1t go to New York" they said. why not?
II the ADMINISTRATORS course with regard
to the finances is to be indorsed, or even
'smoothed over, for campaign purposes,
let the work be done where that sort Of
work is best understood" But these gen.
tlemen seem to have thought better of that
proposition. When the time for action ar
rived they threw their influence with COM
mitteemen in favor of a town close to their
own bailiwicks, and where silver could
hope for more ardent championship than
In New York or anywhere in the east.
They lost their choice of places, but, new
ertheleSs, are content with Chicago. They
consider that a stiff fight can be put up
there. and they promise that one such
shall be.
May Be the Last silver Battle.
The Chicago battle may prove to be the
last one fought over silver by the organiza-
tiol now known as the democratic party.
A compromise is impending, but some o.
the oldest and ablest members Of the party
are anxious about the result. They them
selves are unable at this time to outline
such a platform as will bring together
men now at antipodeS on the money queS-
tion- How much of the demand for gold
standard will the eastern democrats abate
for party harmony? How much of the de-
mend for the free coinage of silver will
the southern and western democrats abate
for party harmony? If the appearance of
harmony is effected in the convention, how
will the deliverance put forth stand the
test of a merciless campaign criticism?
And If it is rejected by the people at the
polls, and the republicans sweep the corln-
try, will not the two democratic factions
then, each charging the other with the
responsibility for defeat, become perma-
nently separated? Will not the work at
once begin of trying to form for 1900 that
union of the south and west, which, for
years, has been the dream of the silver
men?
Candidate Subordinate to Platform.
The question of the democracy's candi-
date is still regarded as subordinate to
its platform. The majority of the party's
leaders are extremists on one side or the
other. Until the platform Is constructed,
therefore, the man to stand on 1t cannot
with safety be selected. Ordinarily, Mr..
Olney or Mr.. Whitney would not suit Mis-
sissippi or Alabama any more than would
Mr.. Stevenson or Governor Campbell suit
New York or Massachusetts,. But, extra
ordinarily, things may be changed. Give
Mississippi comforting assurance about
silver, and Massachusetts, an assurance
against the loss of credit by the govern
ment, and one good man almost as well as
another will answer the party's ends. Col
onel Morrison is regarded something of
an exception to this rule. In a certain
sense he is a platform in himself. He is
the father of tariff reform, he has con-
servative record on silver, and as an ex-
soldier he stands well with the soldier
vote. The adjustment in his. case would
not have to be nice as in the cases of
others.
Third Term Effect.
If the third term continues to develop it
ought to fare as well in Chicago as any
where. Mr.. Cleveland has been twice NOM
mated there, and twice elected. The town
may not be overpartial to him in
dividual, but he is fortunate IN enjoying
the cordial disapprobation of Governor Alt
geld. That ought to help him.