Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-23
Declaration Of Ohio County Demo-
cratic Conventions.
DELEGATES TO CHICAGO INSTRUCTED
Senator Brice and His Fight for
Sound Money.
WHAT THE INDICATIONS ARE


special CHrrespoT deLce OF The Evening Star.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, May %, 1896.
Judged by the enthusiastic and success
full work Of the Ohio free silver democrats
in the opening Of the campaign for the Sc
lection Of delegates to the Chicago conven-
tion and to the state convention, the state
will declare for free silver in the demo-
cratic state convention, which will be held
here on June %, and will send a free silver
delegation to the national democratic con-
vention. So far in but six counties have
the democrats held their conventions, and
all of them have declared for the free and
unlimited coinage of silver They are the
counties of Darke, Shelby, Allen, Clarke,
Licking and Fairfield. 1t is but fair to say
that Licking and Darke counties have been
flirting with free silver for some time,
though this is the first time they have
taken a decided position in favor of the
white metal.
1t is surprising, however, that Allen
county-the home of Senator Brice, who
has been waging a hard fight against free
silver for two years, and has always been
completely under the control of his friends
should take a stand almost unanimously
IN favor OF free coinage at this time. The
whole course and trend of events in the
democratic party in Ohio since last year
has great deal of the free silver senti-
ment in il.
But the most significant event so far is
the action of the democrats of the seventh
congressional district, in convention at
London this week, in adopting a resolution
without a dissenting vote instructing their
delegates to the national convention at
chicago to vote for the free coinage of
silver at the ratio of 10 to without regard
to the position in the matter of any other
nation of the world.
Following this the convention chose two
delegates and two altcrnates to represent
the district in the national convcnti N who
are so pronounced in favor of free silver
that resolution of instruction in that
direction is quite unnecessary. The &C
ton, and the absolute unarimity of it, has
set the free silver leaders of the state
almost wild with delight, and they now
openly announce their intention to control
the state delegation to the national con-
vention, and make it speak in that conven-
ton for free coinage.
The result Of the seventh district conven-
ton was due largely to the efforts of John
II. Thomas and John w. Bookwalter, two
wealthy democratic manufacturers Of
Springfield, which is included in the dis
trict Thomas was the opponent CT Mr..
Brice for the nomination for L. S. Senator
five years ago, and has also been a candi-
date for the nomination for governor.
BookWalter was the candidate of the demo-
Gratis for governor in 1881, and was de-
feated by eX-SecretaTy Charles Foster.
They have both become the result, what
are called in the political parlance Of this
state ON color members of the party.
i he single POlQ standard democrats say
that they desire to get back into the party
In good standing and want to raise
issue to use IL as a plank for this pur-
pose. However this may be, they are both
showing all the zeal of new converts in the
cause.
Senator Brce has not opened headquar-
tiers here yet nor indications of his
work in the interest Of the single gold
standard apparent. His private secretary
has caused the publication of a letter adj
dressed to the party leaders in the news
papers of the state announcing that he
proposes to take an active part in the work
OF his party just as in former years. This
was 70 counteract the effects of a report
that was spread through the state some
weeks ago, that he expected to retire from
politics as the result OF his retirement from
the Senate.
In that letter it was stated that the
Senator proposed to devote his efforts to
the unfication of his party. 1t was gener-
ally accepted by the free silver men as
meaning that he proposed to make the
party agree 10 mis- view of the coinage
question, and in that way unity 1t.
rms brought out tart letter from Allen
w. Thurman, the leading free silver demo-
crat of the state, who was just then be-
ginning TO feel sure of his ability to carry
the state this year for free silver In that
open letter Thurman virtually challenged
Senator Brice to fair fight over the COIN
age question, and plainly stated to him
that in his opinion he had never yet given
fair fight on the proposition. Thurman
lnlnkS that having no further command of
the federal patronage, Senator Brice will
prove an easy foe. 1t is evident, however
that the Senator's friends are standing by
him, and if he goes into the fight again.
he may still be able to make il interesting
1t should be remembered that Brice will
receive strong support from people who are
not friendly to him personally. For in
stance eX-Congressman Tom l.. johnson
Of Cleveland announces that he will op-
pose with all his energy the plan of Editor
l.. +. Holden of the Cleveland Plain Dealer
to make Cuyahoga county speak for free
silver. John III. Clarke of Youngstown the
man who made such bitter speech against
Brlce In the state convention two years
ago, is strong advocate of the gold stand
ard, and will, in the event of such a fight
In the party. be found fighting side by side
with Senator Brice.
At the convention in the seventh district
this week the free silver advocates gave
II out that the delegates-at-large from
Ohio to the Chicago convention would be
If they controlled the state convention,
John n. Thomas of Springfield. Judge e.
j. Blandin of Cleveland, Allen W. Thurman
and Col w. A. Taylor of this city. 1t is
hardly likely that two would be taken from
the same city, and f. B. Finley or A. ].
Warner will probably be substituted for
Col. w. A. Taylor, if the program of the
Tree silver men is carried out.