Evening star., 1896-08-06
Plan Of Nc. Cleveland and His Sec
reta1ies Who Support Him.
IDEA OF MlNDEPENDENT NOMINATION
Will Fu.fsnish u IS an Escape for DEM
ocrats Opposed to Bryan.
TO AID M'K1NLEY's ELECTION

1t Is believed that the conference between
Mr. Cleveland and those members of his
cabinet who are not going to support the
Bryan ticket will result in a declaration In
favor Of an independent gold democratic
ticket.
1t has been understood all along that Mr..
Cleveland was wavering between the NOM
ination OF gold democratic ticket and .he
direct support Of Mckinley. No conceal
ment Is made of Mr.. Cleveland's desire to
nave such a course followed by the gold
democrats as will best contribute to the
success Of Mckinley. At first blush he was
favorably disposed toward the idea Of a
new ticket as means of defeating Bryan
without giving direct support to the cham
pfon OF high protection. But 1t Is under
stood that arguments were presented which
half convinced him that the weight of his
influence should be thrown to the direct
support Of Mckinley as the most enective
way of attaining the object in view.
Among his friends whose advice he is in
the habit Of taking into account opinions
nave differed, and 1T has been difficult to
secure harmony of action. The question
has been canvassed very thoroughly, and
meanwhile the advocates OF new ticket
have been actively at work preparing for
a convention.
1t is believed that Mr.. Cleveland has now
practically concluded on his course and
that he is waiting only to confer with those
of his cabinet who are thoroughly in SYM
pathy with him and to consult with some
other prominent Cleveland men before Civ
ing his approval of the proposition to nom
mate gold democratic ticket. No one can
say now for certain how or when he will
make his position known to the public,
but the belief of those best informed as to
his state of mind is that he will not as yet
90 more than give certain leaders who are
close to him to understand what his posi-
ton is. so that they may act accordingly,
and that he will not take the public fully
into his confidence until the campaign is
well on 1t Is not believed. though he may
act under sudden impulse, that he will take
the occasion of Bryan's notification to
write letter defining his position. 1t Is
not expected by those who ought best to be
able to judge. that he will make any pub
lie declaration before the middle Of Sep
tember. His idea Is said to be that the
gold democrats ought to organize so as TO
make their efforts effective in accomplish
ing the defeat of Bryan. The consideration
which Is expected to turn the balance in
favor CT the nomination of an independent
gold ticket is that such a ticket will draw
the support Of gold democrats who cannot
unoer any circumstances be led to vote
for Mckinley, and many of V hom would
vote tor Bryan If given but the one choice
while, on the other hand, those who are
willing to vote for Mckinley can and will
e'o 90 SO even If there is democratic gold
Idea Of the Nomination.
The nomination will not be made with
the idea that it will be binding on any
democrat to. support 1T if he thinks he can
better serve the cause by, voting directly
for Mckinley, .but 1t will merely furnish a
means ofjeseape fl ON the support of Bry-
an AM for rs SUCH e as cannat Bring themselves to
vote for the Champion of protection The
belief that Mr. Cleveland has fallen in with
thfs idea Is strengthened by the fact that
men who IT rs quite certain would not act in
the matter without first consulting his
wishes ana being assured that the move
ment was going to culminate in some def
mite action have, after deIiberation of the
question. aid. presumably, after consulting
him. taken Off their coats and gone earn
estly into the work Of organizing for gold
democratic convention.
1t is believed that after lending his ap-
proval to the nomination of an independent
ticket. Mr. Cleveland and all the forces
which he can control will exert their infiu-
ence to throw as strong democratic vote
directly to Mckinley as possible,