The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-11
POSITION OF GOLD MEN.
What They Said Before the Conven-
tfon-Senator Hill Criticised.

CftlCAGO, July lU.-Inefe was cOnSteTha-
ton supreme in the gold ranks early this
morning when it was learned that Sena-
cor Hill was not going to be present at
the convention. and the New Workers were
furious over the matter. The reason given
for the absence was illness. Then he
ought to come on a bed" said Lieutenant
Governor Sheehan. Hill should be sent
for at once" said Senator Cantor. IF we
are going to have a bolt. let's have 1t. but
don't let us have a sembance of such a
thing and sit here like fools.''
The gold situation this morning was
touchy and exciting. The announcement
that Governor Pattison. Pennsylvania 5
candidate. was for the platform and ticket
caused the first division and discussion.
Then Hills absence created a furore. and
finally there came sweeping rumors that
there would be a new convention, gold
platform and gold ticket. This latter
statement found many upholders. but 1t
was admitted that any move in that direc-
ton Immediately was impossibility. in
view of the action taken at the gold con-
ference on Saturday night.
Mr. William G. Whitney voiced the sit
uation this morning when he said: I'VE
have already taken means towards the ac-
oomplishment Of an end. We shall know
within thirty days just what the people
want us TO do, and We shall do it,"
Twill there be a gold ticket nominated?'
That depends on the action OF COM
mittee already appointed. At our meeting
on Saturday We provided for a committee
of one from each gold State. who should.
on his return home, feel the pulse of his
people and report TO Senator Gray, of Del
aware, his findings. Using those findings
as basis, we will come TO judgment as
to the advisability of presenting a ticket
and a Democratic platform" The other
gold States seem to take this view of II.
but the present trend appears to be in
favor of a new ticket and platform.
Chairman Hinkley, of the New York del
egation, brought the first information TO
the convention hall that Senator Hill would
not attend, and IL sent CONSERVATION among
the New York men. Delaney Nicoll and
find Perry Belmont, in order that they
might retire. Hill was to be our leader,
and he is not here TO lead" said Mr.. Bart
lett, excitedly.
IF Hill leaves we all leave" added Mr..
Nicon joining Governor Flower i'm a con-
ference as TO what should be done. Mr..
after whispering TO the delegates, spoke
guardedly for publication. Mr.. Hill is
very tired he said. 1T has been Sc
we're strain on him in the committee on
resolutions and on the floor. He is not
sick. but he has concluded to remain away
from the hail.
could be taken for the Senator's with
drawal from the convention he paused and
said he could add nothing further.
WILL NOT SUPPORT THE TICKET. :.
Mr.. Bartlett said: Whatever we do, /
shall never support the platform or the
ticket. as they seek TO commit the Demo-
cratic party to anarchy. 1 cannot say
whether there will be an independent tick
ct put in the field, a support of Mckinley
or silent nonparticipation in the cam
paign. All that is settled thus far is that
the platform and ticket cannot be support
ed by myself and many others.
When Lieutenant Governor Sheehan ar
rived at the convention hall he was great
ly surprised at the news of Hills absence.
"A nice position we are put in, he said
There should be committee sent down
to him at once. He should not refuse 10
! come unless he is seriously ILL and then he
should send his excuses. We have begun
to fight on certain line and should keep
| 1t up.
| Several members went down town again
to see Mr.. Hill and in the meantime the
New York delegation sat disgruntled and
without a leader. 1t soon developed that
Gen. Charles Tracey, of the Albany dis
trict, had quit the convention and would
leave for home. He said: Il do not think
more than twenty-five out OF the seventy
two New York delegates will support the
Democratic platform and ticket. There are
only three or four Tammany delegates and
il. / do not believe in acquiescing even to
the extent of sitting silently in the con-
vention. SO withdraw and go home. My
alternate is not here and ! Will give no
proxy. so that my vote is Withdrawn en-
tirely."
The sentiment was not confined to the
New York delegation and ii soon became
evident that a movement was crystallizing
for an independent ticket. The feeling for
Eastern delegations. Mr.. OSullivan, of
the Massachusetts, delegation. said, with
reference to his statement during the first
roll call in regard 10 the absence OF the
tion from that State, that he did, not know
what their actual plans were. but that
there were signs of disintegration of the
Massachusetts gold forces and that he was
anxious TO have the record made before
w. w. Cramer of the Vermont dele. :
ton, authorized the statement: Il 81"
bolt the ticket here and at the polls; w
the Vermont delegation is polled five
bolt and three will vote. 1t Is my ear
hope that an Independent Democratic tN *
ct shall be put in the field
The same sentiment for an independent
ticket was manifest in the New Hampshire
delegation. Delegate Doyle stated that he
| found himself almost alone in combating
| the move for Independent action. One-half
| Of the New Hampshire delegates, he said,
had announced their purpose not 10 sup
| port the ticket and were urging that steps
| be taken for independent action.
JERSEY DEMOCRATS WILL NOT VOTE.
In the mlUOle East, New Jersey anu LEI
| aware showed the same feeling. Senator
| Winton. of the New Jersey delegation.
said: 1.-The Populists have made the plat
| form and will name the ticket; now they
| must elect 1t. No Democrat can suppor,
the ticket, he support Mckinley.
| The sentiment in the delegation indicates
| that the same silent nonparticipation will
! occur as when Horace Greeley was nom;-
mated, when 1900 New Jersey Democrats
stayed away from the polls. Local, county
and city tickets will be voted on and the
national ticket let alone"
The Delaware delegation is divided but
with the exception of one silver delegate
| the current is strongly for an independent
| ticket.
| The Connecticut men have had no caucus
| upon the situation, but the consensus OF
| opinion in the delegation seems TO be that
| il shall play a passive part hereafter and
hold aloof from voting. A canvass of the
delegation elected no other sentiment. Mr.
| Lynde Harrison, member of the delega-
| ton. said: THE Democracy of Connection,
| instructed its representatives TO vote
against platform embodying the FIRE,
| coinage of silver. Since the majority OF
! this convention has committed the party tc
| new creed, embracing all the doctrine:
| OF the Populists and abandoning the his
| toric Democratic principles. / 10 not see
| how we can give the appearance of ac.
| quiescing in this revolution by taking any
| part in the voting for candidates on such !
| platform The course to be followed b,
49,. Ilr.x~ ~.s1r i