The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-21

$50 800
TO the silver strength above should
be added the vote from the District Of
Columbia. Oklahoma, Indian Territory,
New Mexico, Arizona and ALASKA.
am not sure what vote is allowed each
Of these territories. but l think 1T IS
two. though it may be more. Every
one of them, except possibly Alaska,
will be for silver, which will add ten
more to the silver column, making
$40. Leaving out the vote of the ter
ritories the convention will be COM
posed of 894 delegates, making AS
votes necessary to control the conyen-
ton. Upon this calculation the silver
men can lose nearly one hundred dele
gates and still control the conventions
But it is regarded by those silver men
who are at the head of the fight as inn
portant that North Carolina should
send solid delegation Of % silver men
who are all-wool-and-a-ya rd-wide to
the convention. 1t is feared in some Of
the far Western States, the gold men
may pick up a few delegates, and
solid South is necessary to make sue
cess absolutely certain.
Missouri has set the pace both in
solidity and in the high character and
ability of its delegation. At the head
of the Missouri delegation goes Gov
ernor Stone and Senators Vest and
Cockerell. trio of able men, the equal
in ability and debate of any men who
will take part in that convention
which viii be one of the most notable
conventions in the history of the Dem
ocratic party. The silver men in all
the States are at work along the same
line, seeking the election of men Of ma
tional reputation. The presence OF such
men as delegates in the convention will
give to the silver forces power even
greater than their numbers.
The success of the silver men in the
District of Columbia is one of the most
significant straws in the wind that
blows favorably for silver Out of six
men elected to the National convention,
five are advocates offree coinage. When
it is considered that this city is com
posed chiefly of salaried men and wage
earners, this result shows that it lis not
only the farmers who are for free coin
age. With Washington City, St. Louis
Kansas City, and Chattanooga all going
for silver, it is apparent that the senti-
ment for silver is very strong among
the inhabitants of cities as we'll us
those who reside in the rural districts.
A leading citizen of Chicago wrote 10
a friend Of mine here a few days ago,
that the most sparsely settled district
in Colorado was not stronger for silver
than Chicago Don Cameron is quoted
as saying that at least half Of the pop
ulation of Pennsylvania is, at heart,
for free coinage, but the politicians and
the newspapers manage to control
them for gold.
You silver men may carry the cou-
vention," said gold manic me yes
terday, "but you cannot elect silver
candidate. You will lead the party to
defeat" That is common expression.
My reply was: you may be right, but
a gold candidate for President would
not carry to exceed four Southern
States, while a silver candidate would
carry every one with the possible ey-
ceptions of Maryland and Delaware,
with eleven votes. Besides. the nominal
ton of a silver man will insure the cleo
ton Of a Democratic ticket in all the
Southern States, and preserve to the
party the control Of the State govern
ments in all the Southern States, and
keep the confidence Of the
millions who have believed the
promises it has been making for
twenty years and more to remonetiZe
silver 1t is something worth fighting
for to keep faith with the people No
body can accurately predict results in
a year Of political chaos like the pres
ent. but the Democrats would come
very near not only sweeping the solid
South but the solid West on a silver
platform. On a gold platform, the
| party will walk to certain defeat upon
road of broken promises. On a
silver platform it will ride TO
| probable success upon road Of
| fidelity to its traditions and devotion
to the best interests qf the masses of
| the people" That is the way the situ-
| alton presents itself to me.
"Who will the silver men nominate
| for PRESIDENT" is an inquiry often
made by those who believe that
| they will control the convention
| The principle is so far above the man
| that there is little discussion of the
leader. The fight for silver must not
be impeded by personal ambitions.
| There are plenty of good men who
| could be placed at the head of the
| ticket who would be acceptable, and
the leading silver men discourage the
| booming of any candidates. Vice
| President Stevenson is the fayorite
candidate, though some oppose him
| because he does not declare his posi-.
~ r. Il.