Evening star., 1896-11-16
THE SILVER LEADERS
A Conference Scheduled for This City
Early in December.
IMPORTANCE OF THEIR FUTURE POLICY
The Gathering Not to Discriminate
Against Any Man or Party.
LOOKING FOR HEADQUARTERS

s. The silver leaders of the country are
cheduled for a big conference in this city
about the time of the meeting Of Con-
gress. This was learned by a Star re-
porter today. The conference. 1t is said.
will be the most important to be held be-
tween now and the next presidential cleo
ton, inasmuch as 1t will probably decide
On the future course Of the silver men in
official as we'll as unofficial position. The
conference will be attended by the execu-
tive committee of the Bimetallic Union, and
by Gen. a. ]. Warner, the president OF the
union. In addition to these and the Sena-
tors and Representatives who favor the
white metal, 1t is thought probable that
Mr.. Bryan will be on hand. The time fixed
for the conference will probably be short
ly after the assembling of Congress. This
viii insure the attendance Of all who are
connected with the legislative department
Of the government.
1t VIII he NOn-Pnrtisnn.
The gathering will, 1t is understood be
non-partisan. and there will be no discrin-
iaetion against any man or party or fac
tion. An interesting point right here Is
that Senator Butler has declared that the
pcpulists and democrats can no longer
travel the same road friendly terms.
Besides being a leader of the silver forces,
of the Bimetalic Union. If he Is not in
favor Of the further alliance which has
gene through the campaign just over, how
can he attend a conference which Is pro-
posed to be strictly Don-partiSan?
Parport of the Gathering.
1t is said that this conference Is the out
come of an idea of Senator Jones imme
diately after he saw Bryan was defeated.
but no time was fixed then, because 1t was
not known what would be the most suit
able occasion. Senator Jones and the other
silver leaders saw that If they expected to
keep up any organization at all they must
have an understanding with all elements.
The chief object of the conference will be,
1t is said to decide the accurate plans of
the silver men for the next four years.
This will apply to the silver men in the ma
tional legislature of the country, as well as
to the movements of those In the different
states.
1t Is likely that this conference will de-
eide what will be the attitude of the silver
members of Congress ON tariff legislation
at this session or the next session. 1t is
not thought that SO large gathering can
go into details In the way of plans, but
there can easily enough be an agreement as
to what shall be the general method of pro-
cedure. The conference will be watched to
see who goes into this arrangement and
who stays out. The three silver parties
now in existence are not only playing for
silver. but are playing for themselves.
Importance of the Future Policy.
The future policy Of the silverites on
matters other than legislative will be as
important that part relating to the plans
and efforts in the way Of legislation. There
will come up the important question OF
whether to allow the republicans to carry
out their plans without Interference, or to
put obstacles in their way: also whether
an attempt will again be made for laws
more favorable to silver for the effect the
agitation will have on the silver ranks. and
to see what President-elect Mckinley will
do.
Chairman Jones, Chairman Butler and
Chairman Stevens Of the silver parties
may communicate the secret history of the
campaign, and the question will arise
whether to continue thase committees as
Mr.. Hanna is doing with his. II Mr.. I,ryan
comes here his advice will be listened to
with great respect.
The object In making the conference nom
partisan is to keep up the alliance that has
existed for the las; few months. The dem
ocrats want this alliance badly. Without
it they can expect nothing either in two
years or four years from now. So far there
has been no reason why there should be
split. but at almost any time a wedge may
enter the consolidated ranks. That Is what
the democrats want to avoid, and this will
make them very attentive 20 the free silver
| republicans and popuists from rcw on
A Conference at Denver.
1t is said among ~ell-posted silver lead
ers here that the visit Of Mr.. Bryan to
Denver on the oath will amount to a great
deal more than a social function. 1t is
said to mean a conference of silver lead
ers there, at which Mr.. Bryan will be the
central figure. This is said to account for
Senator Teller's refusal to say what the
silver men in the Senate will do. Senator
Dubois and other silver Senators have
taken a similar position. Representative
Hartman, in The Star Saturday declined
to outline any course for the silver men,
except to say that they would caucus on
all questions pertaining to finances.
Looking for Headquarters.
A represen, ,ative of the silver party is
looking for rooms today in which to estab-
lish perm anent headquarters of that party
in this city. Secretary Difenderfer was here
a few days ago, and said permanent head
quarters would be maintained When the
silver Senators and Representatives reach
here for the session of Congress they will
meet and decide what is to be done in the
way CT work by their party and who ia
to have charge of this work in the future.
1t is claimed by the binetallic union and
silver party officials in the city that they
are getting letters every day advising them
to maintain permanent institutions, and
pledgng aid and subscriptions Secretary
Warner of the Bimetallic Union stated to-
day that since the election he has received
applications for charters for over one hun
dred clubs.
MIR. FORMAN APPOINTED.