Evening star., 1896-07-02

enough to claim that any pronounced free
silver democrat can get the votes or all
the silver men II. the country. whether
democratic. republican or populist. The
more they talk among themselves the
greater magnitude the silver wave assumes
to their eyes and the more reckless they
become in the matter of selecting a cam
Gdate In the opinion of the more thought
full and cautious men. their chief danger
lies in this peculiar sort Of confidence
Bland and Bofes Lead.
The leading candidates. as the situation
has thus far developed, are Bland and
Boies. The strength shown by Bland is
surprising TO these who have other can
didateS in their minds. The men who are
in charge of his interests are active and
skillful. and among the men who think
of nothing In the world but silver there
is something in the name of "Siver Dick
which is peculiarly musical and attr lc
tive There is a sentiment. too. that he
ousht LOW to be rewarded fer his long
years of struggle for the white metal. His
friends present him ss the idol of the
treme silver people of the west, and they
make for him claims of great strength.
While the claims of his friends are ex-
substance to his boom. and his rivals are
somewhat alarmed at the showing.
In addition to .ais natural strength among
the silver delegates, the belief is that the
god men. seeing that they can accomplish
nothing for gold. will throw their votes to
him, upon the theory that he would not
be strong candidate and that the silver
cause might be the easier defeated with
him at head Whether tbay rio
in their calculation there is some room to
Goubt-
Altseld's Prominence.
GOV Altgeid figures most prominently as
the great political factor of this assem-
blage. His influence is felt on every hand
and his support is sought by every candi-
date He does not himself figure as q can
didate. but he is looked upon as candidate
maker The BoieS boom Is adversely af-
fected by the claim that Altgeld is op-
posed TO the Iowa man on account of his
utteranceS concerning the great Chicago
railroad strike.
Mr.. Boies' friends are active In trying to
get denial of the statement that Altgeld
harbors hostile feeling. 1t appears that
Blands advantage over Boies is on account
Of this supposed hostility of Altgeld. Alt
geld is quoted as saying that he Is not op-
posing Boies, but there is doubt as to
now broad an Interpretation may be put
upon this declaration. Altgeld has been
visited by the leading representatives of
The silver candidates. and his favor has
been sought as a thing of inestima bic
value His friendship is claimed in behalf
Of several candidates, but he continues to
Keep every one in doubt as to his inten-
tons
1t is generally conceded that he can alb
solutely control the Illinois delegates. The
Bland people claim that he is for Bland
but his real preference. it is said, is for
Gov. Stone, who does not appear in the
field as candidate. but is Bland's first
lieutenant. Another man he prefers to any
candidate in the field is Judge Mcconnell
of Chicago. a great silver advocate and
man of ability. but almost entirely un-
known TO the country. and utterly with
out identification with national politics
Neither of these men appears al this time
likely to become candidate. Therefore the
politicians are looking elsewhere for the
man whom Altgeld will support.
Blackburn Looms Up.
Senator Blackburn has assumed the at
titUde of "A serious candidate for the first
ing him up with much earnestness and elo-
quence.
The candidacy of Matthews of Indiana
and Vice President Stevenson is counted
d secondary consideration, for the reason
that the silver men. to a man, declare that
none but a silver man who has never been
under suspicion by them shall have the
nomination. and they are in a position to
enforce their edict. 1t is understood that
Stevenson is Whitneys choice under ex-
IStlng circumstances, and that the New
York delegation will propose his name. If
the silver men maintain their unaccorpmo-
dating spirit and refuse to yield anything
fer harmony, as they threaten to- the in
dorsement of the New York people will not
help Mr.. Stevenson
During his stop-over here on his way
home he has received calls from most of
the prominent democrats who are interested
in the convention, but there is no special
significance in this.
The candidacy OF John R. Mclean is an
unknown quantity. Whether he seriously
expects to get the nomination or whether
he Is working to nominate some other man
Is a matter of doubt. The fact is that the
Held Is wide open, and almost any one can
come in and have show for the race. II
vi" -'iII-cdH goes INTO the fight with bp
determination to win. and can convince the
convention that he can carry Ohio. his stock
may be quoted high. The impression is
though, that he is figuring on the vice pres:
dency.
The Teller Movement.
Inc Teller movement is the most i'm
portant and at the same time the nost
uncertain thing in the whole situation
Inc Work that is being done in favor of
ms nomination is managed yery ouietIv
several thIigs about ii are very promising
ptt there are many doubts ana difficulties
Teller talk is heard everywhere, and MANY
OF the most prominent leaders are irving
10 contriNe situation which will render
MS nomination possible but the prejudice
against scins outside the party for a candi-
date IS hard to overcome. Few doubt that
the best thing they could do would be to
nominate him, but they do not vet see
their Way clear TO do so Senator Dubois
ard Representative Towne of Minneso;,
are working hard in a quiet way to CON-
vince the leaders that the only thing to do
IL 10 nominate Teller. Probably two-thirds
ol the leaders agree of-hand that this
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