New-York tribune., 1896-05-25
SILVER LEADERS WEAKEN
NOT so CONFIDENT THEY CAN CONTROL
THE CHICAGO CONVENTION.

THE BEST INFORMATION is. HOWEVER, THAT A
MAJORITY OF THE DELEGATES WILL BE
OPPOSED TO THE GOLD STANDARD.
fpY TELEGRAPH T, THE TRIBuNEl
wosb,ngton Nav 24-some of the free-silver
Democratic leaders in Washington appear to be
,eas coradent than they were week ago that the
silver men will control the Chicago Convention.
Of course none of them will publicly admit this'
hpt several have privately done so in conversa-
zion with a Tribune correspondent within the
LAST two days. One of them yesterday remarked:
think we still have good fighting chance,
hut bv no means a sure thing. Certain aphor-
rent and forbidden forces are In operation
which may defeat u.s. t,s 40 .d%Inistraion hTL and
the apparent confidence Of its members that the
anti-siiver men will control the National Con.
vention I regard 1t as reasonable cause Oh
anxiety.
II IS a fact that the Administration men in the
House Of Representatives appear more hopeful
than they did fortnight ago. but it would hardly
be fair to say that they feel confident or victory
They have received encouragement from divers
sources. Several counties in Virginia, including
two or three which are almost wholly agrlcult-
ural have Unexpectedly elected "sound-money'
delegates to the State Convention and other
counties that have been confidently claimed by
the free-silver men are expected to send SOUND
money" delegates and some Of the Administration
men now assert that there Is an even chance
that the anti-sllver men will control the Con-
vention
In South Carolina a scheme Is said to be hatcn-
ing to send a contestng delegation to the Ma
tional Convention. which will claim admission on
the ground that the Tillman delegation is anti
Democratic and that Tlllman has voluntarily
placed himself without the pale or the Demo-
cratic party II contesting delegation Is sent, II
will be confused in part at least OF sound
money" men. 1T is understood that plans nave
been laid by the Administration men to capture
the Florida delegation. and the promise OF sue
cess Is held to be fair.
Great things are expected Of Hoke Smith and
the Administration ofice-holders in Georgia. but
the free-silver Representatives In Congress from
that State show no signs Of anxiety. They de-
clare that victory is already assured. The same
may be said Of the free-sver Representatives
from Louisiana, and yet Administration leaders
in Washington assert that the delegation to Chi
cago will be at least equally divided and that
there is a possibility that the "sound-money"
men will control.
Strange as II may seem. the free-sllver leaders
feel uneasy about both Illinois and Indiana AS
to the former state, they fear that at least one
half Of the fruits OF their expected victory will
be lost TO them by the sending Of contesting
Sound money" delegation 10 the National Con-
vention; and as to Indiana. they are nervous on
account of the influence that the Administration
may be able to exert through the office-holders
Even in regard to Kansas, anxiety Is felt by the
free-sllver leaders in Washington.
According to the best information obtanable at
present. 36S delegates have thus far been chosen.
of nd nod 10 he fDr free al
and 112 for sound money. while 16 are " doubt
owing TO the fact that Nebraska has elected two
sets of delegates. The statement In detail is as
-