Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1896-01-31
TIIESILVER LEADERS
PLANS FOR A TICKET TO REPRESENT
The WHITE METAL.

what the Populists Expect-Large Access
sions From Dissatisfied In Both Parties.
Conferences Among Silver Men Getting
to Re the Thing.
The conference Of silver leaders to be
held in Washington shortly will, it is
said, decide a great deal as to the course
to be pursued by the silver men in the
coming national fight. 1t is not sup
posed that it viii result in a withdrawal
of the silver men from the old parties
at this time, but it will result in ascer-
tanning what they will do when the
pinch comes. An effort will be made to
find out just what each man thinks of
the situation and how he will act.
1t is said that the conference will be
composed largely of Populists, but that
the leaders Of that party will not try to
force the silver men of other parties into
believing that the fight for silver this
year must be made by the Populist
party. There is a well defined feeling
among the Populist leaders that the
party bearing that name will never
control national affairs, and that the
only possible way to succeed is by an
amalgamatiOn Of the free silver forces
undCr a new name. "It makes no differ
ence what name we give it,, said a
Populist leader at the capitol to the re-
porter. "A rose under any other name
smells as sweet. Then he went on to
say it made no difference to him what
the name may be. All that was wanted
was change in the financial system of
the country and other "reforms. He
admitted that he did not believe that
the vast majority of the free silver
Democrats in the south and the free sill
yer Republicans in the west would leave
their parties to Join the Populist ranks.
In the fights in the past, in which these
men were loyal to their respective par.
ties, a good deal of i'll feeling was en-
gendercd between them and the Popu-
lists, There was also objection to the
lack Of conservatism among the Populist
leaders. The free silver men, he said,
who stood ready TO join a new party,
wanted to see thunder different leaders.
He reiterated that, so far as he was
concerned, any name would suit him.
it is learned that there is a general
AN".i|-.e lAtttN lAaA 'tel lAlttl NbhNtUllOl Oh
the Popuisis will be held some time
after both the old parties have met and
Adjourned, and chat some western city,
probably ST. Louis, viii be selected as
the meeting place. st the same place
and timo meetings Of the various silver
organizations Of the country will be
held. "IheCo viii be general love
feast for several days, leader said,
"and then we Will get down to bust
ness" It is hoped to arouse so much
enthusiasm that all the silver men will
unite under ono flag and one name and
then and there put ont ticket. One
great object viii be to try to unite the
south and west in a political organiza-
tion. This is known to be pet scheme
with many Of the southern and western
men who have their own axes to grind,
and who want free silver as a side line.
All animosities will be wiped out. The
old soldiers of South Carolina and Kan
sas will rush into each others arms and
swear to forget all that is gone and to
spill their ballots and their blood for
free silver only.
Something along this line was ac-
cOmplished several years ago, it is
claimed, when a free silver love feast
was held at St. Louis. Tillman and
LeweHing embraced each other and
closed up the "bloody chasm." Tom
Watson and some other western men
fell into each others arms and declared
everlasting love. Inasmuch as this love
feast Of the silver men is to be held
after the conventions Of all the other
parties it is expected to receive cart
loads Of recruits in the way Of the dis
affected, The foregoing, in a nutshell, is
the plan Of the Pupulists.
These silver men in the old parties
might as well leave the ranks now,"
said prominent silver man to the re-
porter. "They We all got knives up their
sleeves and are using them secretly ev-
cry day. They are guilty at heart of
treason, and they know it. Common
sense ought to teach them that all this
time wasted IN feeling around each 9TH
er and in waiting to see what is going
to be done could be utilized in organic
ing for the fray. The way it stands
now it looks like they are afraid. There
are but few outspoken men among
them
Conferences are getting to be very styl-
ish among the silver leaders 1t is
learned that a regular conference of the
Populists is held one night in each
week at Senator Stewards house, besides
tEtra sessions in case Of extraordinary
news to discuss.
The home Of Senator Harris Of Ten
nessee is a popular gathering place for
the Democratic silver men. They talk
and plan as much as they like, and mat
ters never leak out. Washington Star.