Evening star., 1896-04-15
THE A. P. A. PARTY
It May Put Up Presidential Candidate
of Its Own.
Falling to Secure Recognition Either
at st. Louis or Chicago This IL
Said to He Their Plan.

The prominence lately given the Ameri-
can Protective Association has brought
that organization under real fire for the
first time since its inception. The contests
of the order have heretofore been local.
but now 1t has branched out into national
politics. Thus both its friends and enemies
say, it has put itself up as a target and
must stand the consequences; be killed or
come out victorious. With the membership
1t claims to have, and the fidelity which
every man is alleged to feel for its prin-
ciples, the order, its friends think, ought to
prove formidable in the coming campaign,
but those who are opposed to 1t ask the
question If 1t can stand against public SEN
timent when the question is fairly put to
the people Of the country? Its friends say
it can, and its enemies say 1t cannot. Its
friends say that nothing but patriotic SEN
timents inspire 1t, while its opponents aver
that the Sentiments are all right, but the
principle of a secret order Is antagonistic
to to free country and free government.
Thus the fight is proceeding, and will, it is
asserted, make its way to the national con-
ventions of the two old parties, there to be
decided in one way or another.
What VIII BE Done About Its
If the published statements of Judge
Stevens. the head Of the advisory board of
the A. T. A, are true, then II Mckinley is
nominated the order will oppose him and
the republican party. no matter what the
declarations in the platform. The order
will next make fight in the national
democratic convention. 1t will ask for
recognition and for the nomination Of a
man not antagonistic to its principles and
tenets Will this recognition be given? The
question appears to be answered by the
fact that all the prominent democrats who
nave spoken so far have denounced the
order. Senator Daniel and ex-Gov. Russell
declared their purpose at the Jeffersonian
celebration at Charlottesville the other day
to fight the A. p. A. in the convention at
chicago. and both of them are expected to
be at the convention Other democrats
who talk privately announce the same in
tention. The prospect then, it is said is
that both parties will directly or indirectly
declare against the A. P. A.
Talk of a New Party.
In the event Of both being against the
order, it is the intention of the A. P. A.
leaders, 1t is said, to launch a new party
One of them. and a man high in it's councils
has told Star reporter So The leaders, it
Is said, have determined that the time has
come for fight. The order feels that it is
strong enough not to be offended by any
party, and will not consent to be walked
over.
Provided the order launches a new party,
who could be secured to head the ticket?
The inference would be tina. Representative
Linton would be the man. He swears by the
A. P. A., and the order stands by him. The
advisory board has recommended him as
suitable candidate for the republican nomi-
nation, and he Is in earnest in seeking the
nomination. Would he accept the nomina-
tdon from new party? Those who know
him say he believes so fully in the principles
OF the order that he would stand by what
ever action it would take. AS one Of the
tenets of the order is Independent political
action. he could have no scruples it is said.
In leaving the republican party. His own
views are not known, but this is the way the
politicians figure the matter out