Evening star., 1896-07-06
GOLD MEN FOR MCLEAN,
They Plan to Plump Their Votes for
the Ohio Man.

They Plan to Plump Their Votes for
the Ohio Man.
Special From a STAFF Correspondent.
CHICAGO. July 6.-McLean is the man
to whom the gold men have decided to
throw their votes finally. If they remain in
the convention until the balloting begins.
They have canvassed the situation very
thoroughly, and at length come to this
conclusion. At first they desired to cast
their votes finally for Hill or some other
of their own men. but 1T was concluded, af-
ter going all over the question, that it was
better to influence the selection of a candi-
date than to make a display for man
who could not be nominated. In the mat
ter of making choice among the silver can
didates there has been a wide difference OF
opinion as to what policy should be adopt
ed. One set thought they should use their
votes te throw the nomination to the best
democrat in the field and make the nomi-
nation as respectable as possible
Others thought 1.-The worse the nomina-
ton the better" and said they should try
to insure the selection Of man who could
certainly be beaten at the polls.
Still others thought it best to help nomi-
nate Teller, on the theory that. he not be-
w -AN>'s
responsible for him and moderate gold
democrats would feel less compunction
about bolting the ticket. The question has
been fought up one side and down the
other, until finally it has been practically
decided that after having used their forces
to the best advantage among the other
candidates to confuse the situation, they
shall plump their solid vote for Mclean
ba 10 TOR n thuq
nominate him.
could speak with authority said to me on
this subject:
I'VE do not want 1t known yet here in
Chicago who 1t is to whom we intend TO
give our support. The intimation that we
proposed any particular candidate would
be enough to insure that candidates de-
feat Our men will scatter among the sew
eraI headquarters, some advocating one
man and some another, until the proper
time comes. Then we shall all vote for Nc
Lean, and, with the votes he will have of
his own. we can nominate him."
Some men, enjoying the reputation OF
always being on the inside. express the
opinion that Mclean is not confident that
any democrat can be elected without the
support of the populists and silver republi-
cans. and that he will not desire nomina-
ton for first place unless he feels sure Of
this support. He has no desire to run for
defeat. 1t is intimated that If he cannot
get the support of the independent silver
n en- otherwise he will prefer second place
with Teller. Meanwhile, however. his boom
is growing and the few who know of the
intention of the gold men to give him their
votes believe that he will head the ticket.
In this connection, it is said that. his
business interests being so diversified, the
eastern business men will be less afraid of
his doing anything detrimental to invest
ments. The Mclean workers are well or
ganized. and are constantly on the alert
1t Is evident that Mclean is a powerful
factor in this convention. Whether he gets
either place on the ticket. or not, his in
fiuence will have much to do with deciding
the contest. His methods are not noisy,
and have neither banner nor brass band at
tachment- His hand is not always seen,
but the touch Is felt Especially among the
southern declarations is his Influence felt