The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-06

fords surer promise of Democratic
success than can be had in the Demo-
cratic states in the West that have
never been found in the Democratic
columns.
IF this convention proposes to wor-
ship strange gods it must be without
the approval of the half million Demo-
cratic voters in Pennsylvania"
The first general caucus of delegates
and alternates favorable to the candi-
dacy of Mr.. Bland was held in the club
room of the Sherman house this after
noon, and after a session lasting an
hour and a half, adjourned to meet
again at 10 o'clock. Twelve states re-
sponded to the roll call and 100 dele
gates instructed for the Missourian
We're placed. From the figures sent $50
unconditional votes were put down as
a certainty on the first ballot.
The Pennsylvania delegates worked
heroically during the day in behalf of
Ex-Governor Robert E. Pattison, their
choice for the presidency. Crowds filed
their headquarters at the Palmer house
during the afternoon and evening. The
Pennsylvania gold men put up lively
discussion for the edification of the
throngS gathered in their rooms. Many
members Of the Pennsylvania delega-
tion, while declaring their unfalter-
ing allegiance to MIR. Pattison, freely
admit that they see no hope for his sue
cess. Their aim rather is to gather
about him the gold men and as a tribute
make him the choice of that element.
Senator Hill was waited upon today
by a number of prominent silver men
who used all sorts of arguments to in
duce the New York senator to with
hold permission for the use of his name
as temporary chairman by the national
committee. Among the callers were
Senators Vest and Cockrell of Missouri.
White of California, and Walsh of
Georgia, and other active silver men.
He listened respectfully to all argu-
ments presented, but was unaffected
in his position by what was said to
him.
1t Is believed that Senator Hill Is the
one man who can prevent a bolt by the
sound money men of the east II a
free silver platform is adopted and
free silver man nominated by the con-
vention, and that if the senator were
to bow to the wishes of the silver lead
ers and refuse the use of his name by
the national committee for temporary
chairman he would no longer be in a
position to check bolt of the gold dele
gates The efforts of the silver men
may therefor be set down as Intellectual.
II the national committee at it's meeting
tomorrow decides to present the name
of Senator Hill for temporary chairman
1t may be authoritatively stated that
Senator Hill will stand, and that the
overthrow of the programme mapped
out by the national committee will
bring matters to head between the
gold and silver men at the opening Of
the convention on Tuesday.
1t is conceded that Senator Harris. Of
Tennessee, will be the permanent chair
man of the convention, and he has made
his arrangements to take possession OF
the gavel and assume control of a body
that gives promise of requiring the
leadership of the skilled parliamentary
ian that'he is.
Free silver leaders who have been Sc
lected by the respective delegations as
members Of the committee on resolu-
tions and others who will undoubtedly
form part of that important organiza-
tion, have today been comforting to-
gether with respect to the text Of the
platform and the subjects that shall be
mentioned therein.
THE PROBABLE PLATFORM.
| Only upon the financial plank has
there been any definite agreement.
This plank Is to dominate the whole
-, oil 1<b t<<.,,s <r,
be second thereto. The exact text has
not been finally determined, but that it
will be q short, clear-cut. concise decla-
ration for the free and unlimited coin
age of silver at a ration of 16 to is q
foregone conclusion. Two short sem
tences are all that will be necessary to
construct this plank.
| Well known men among those in con-
troll Of convention matters assert that
the tariff question must not be over
looked. While there is diversity of
opinion as to the advisability of COM
ing out in a flat-footed Endorsement of
the Wilson tariff act. that law bearing
the stamp Of Democracy will be Incl
dentally indorsed at least
The administration will not be men,
toned in the platform. Some Of the
more radical of the silver men want
an emphatic condemnation of the finan-
cial policy of President Cleveland and
| Secretary Carlisle introduced i'm the
| platform. but it is believed that while
the administration will escape censure,
| the convention will likewise refuse to
commend it.
1t is quite likely that the foreign
| nnIipy nf tha a1r lei, I,