The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-12
A CLOSE FIGHT AT CHICAGO.
HILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW
THE FACTIONS STAND.

The Control of the Convention May
Turn Upon the Vote of the Ne
braslSn DeIeEatfon-Senator mn
Comedies the Vote OF Illinois 90
the SiIverites-The Sound Money
Men Have Let states Go by De-
fault.
Washington. May n.-Senator Hin is
engaged In figuring out an
estimate OF the financial strength
Of the two factions of the demo-
cratic party at Chicago. He has endeav-
ored to obtain his information from the
most reliable and trustworthy sources.
and, therefore, his figures are conserva-
tive. Before he gives them out he intends
to revise them, because at present the
score between the gold and silver forces
is so close that the control Of the con-
vention may turn upon the vote Of the
Nebraska delegation, as there is a con-
test from that state. 1t becomes intensely
interesting to know which delegation win
be admitted to seats in the convention.
Many of the political statstlcians who
have been figuring on the result have
placed Illinois in the gold column, while
others have placed it in the doubtful list,
and made it the pivotal state in decid-
ing the money Queslion Senator Hin
places Illinois in the free silver column
on the statement of Senator Palmer, who,
although sound man, reluctantly ad-
state have control of the party machinery
through the carelessness of the organza-
tlOn OF the sound money men In abandon
ing the party machinery to Gov Altgeld
ana mis- followers In the last state contest.
Unfortunately for the sound money demo-
cIaIs on that occasion, they refused 10
submit 20 Coy. Altgeld's dictation, and left
the held 70 tne enemy, so that the latter
now controls the state and county organi-
cation, and VIII undoubtedly use Il IN the
interest of free silver
During his investigation Of this subject
senator Itill has discovered that in sever
al states besides Illinois the sound money
men practically abandoned the party or
BdhNallon 10 the silver men, so that the
latter are In possession Of the county and
state organization. From Senator Mills
OF IeNas he learned that the sound money
men allowed the free silverites to capture
the state machinery without a struggle,
and now that state will send a solid free
silver delegation to Chicago. Senator
MINIS says ne pleaded with the leaders in
his state not to dash themselves over the
preclpice, but they are determined TO 90
win the tree silver tide, so he will go
with them. He still hopes, however that
some practical adjustment of the money
question Will be reached by the party Lead
ers at Chicago, and he does not believe
the representatives OF the two contendlng
| factions VIII go into the convention with
the fixed determination not to doff their
hats to each other on the financial qUes-
tion.
Senator Hill expects to 90 to the con-
yention at the head of the New York
delegation, although he has not notified
| He Is great believer in party organiza-
| ton, and he does not think IL wise for
| those VINO are willing to contend against
the free silver movement to remain away
from the convention and let their oppo-
nents capture the national organization.
as they nave done in Illinois. Texas and
other states His friends are anxious no
have him go for they appreciate his fight
ing abilities and the Influence he COM
mands in connection with the subject Of
finance.