Evening star., 1896-07-02

Observing politicians divide the Chicago
convention into three distinct factions, and
the problem before the democracy is so TO
conduct it's business as, if possible. to weld
those factions into a solid column for tine
Campaign.
There are the sound money men. headed
fy Senator Hill. The New York platform.
expresses their political views. They are
against free coinage except through the
agency of an international agreement.
They are for a tariff for revenue only.
They are against an income tax. They
favor a cordial Endorsement of the national
administration. They want harmony. Some
of them are not overly fond of the Presi-
dent, but they don't care to say anything
about that. The least said the soonest
mended. The differences in the camp and
the hard fight ahead counsel concessions
and forbearance.
There are the free silver men, pronounced
enough on that score. Lut conservative on
ether scores. They want to make the fight
silver. with as little mention made of
other things as possible. They consider
silver the one overshadowing issue. They
cannot in conscience indorse the admins
tration. but they see no particular need for
assaulting it, If it is to be referred TO at
all. let the reference be qualified to suit the
occasion These men want harmony, and
aside from the silver question are willing
to make concessions to obtain it. But a
declaration for free coinage at 16 to 1 they
Insist upon. let the cost in the way of party
division be never so great.
The third faction embraces the men likely
to make tn" music. They are led by Gov.
-AtSeld and Senator Tillrnan, and they have
an extreme and comprehensive program.
They are for silver, and for a good deal
besides. Practically they are tor a reorgan-
iZGtion of the democratic party. They are
tired of their Eastern brethren. and want
tC be rid Of them. They are for forward
ing the rnuch-discusseG union OF the west
and south, and whatever will contribute to
that end they stand ready to support. They
are bitterly against the administration, and
want il denounced. They consider it I'M
democratic. and in the matters of the
bond sales and the suppression of the Debs
strike they charge the President with I'M
Teachable offenses. They favor an income
tax. on the subject of harmony they are
not Yet committed. Their present idea OF
harmony seems to be to write a platform
and nominate candidate calculated to
attract western and southern votes and to
repel eastern votes. Feeling that they have
dowr, their opponents but to rub it in.
There is much uneasiness in conservat tive
democratic circles for fear the extremists
may get the upper hand and load the silver
cause down with other issues that could
be postponed and with personalities that
snould be Stunned. Gov. Altgeld is a cam
didate for reelection. and Is suspected of a
d. sire to play to the galleries for effect Oh
his own campaign 1t will be his first
appearance on a strictly national stage, and
he is expected to make the most of 1t.
Senator Tillman will of course be heard
from 1t viii likewise be his first appear
ance a man of note in a national con-
vention, and the Senator, in action. is an
aggressive and a picturesque individual.
He is very likely to give the country an
exhibition of how pitchfork may be put
to u.s.. IN harvest time in nominating