The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-12
STRAIGHT
Tho Question or Contrasting or Denying Ad-
hesion to the Chicago Platform.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: As tho
discussion relating to the municipal election
next fall progresses the condition of the Demo.
Gratis OF this city seems to DO confusion worse
confounded. Former Gov. Flower, speaking for
himself and other gold Democrats some few
weeks ago. declared that the gold Democrats
were ready to aid Tammany Hall to elect its
candidate for Mayor of Greater New York, but
he distinctly stated that they could not do SO II
Tammany insisted on the Chicago platform.
This declaration seems to have aroused the
Bryan Democrats to assume a most aggressive
attitude. Instead Of accepting the suggested
compromise, the Bryan element insists that not
only shall the Chicago platform be uneouivocally
Endorsed, but that the person nominated for
Mayor must be a pronounced Bryan man who
will openly and boldly announce his adhesion to
the principles Of that platform. Not even con.
tent with this, the Bryanites further insist that
all the candidates on the Tammany ticket must
be avowedly of the same stamp. II these con-
ditions are not complied with, they threaten to
set up a ticket of their own or vote for the Cit
liens Union ticket.
Confronted with this threat, the Tammany
leaders. it is said. have secretly consented to
comply with their demands.
1t is we'll known that the Tan many leaders of
the greatest influence in the organization are
gold Democrats. By accepting the Chicago
platform for the time being these gentlemen ex-
pect to secure by the aid OF the Bryan vote the
municipa! and county offices next fall for Tam
many Hall and the scheme is said to be that
power in Greater New York they shall then be-.
gin to use that power to curb Organism and
render effective aid to the gold element here
control OF tho next National Convention.
Such a course would not only be unfair and
dishonorable. but it might fail Of its object. 1t
would assuredly, arouse intense feeling, OF bitter
ness against such leadership. 1t would be moth.
ing short of trick and device. And yet, II they
swallowed the Chicago platform. hook, sinker.
and all, TO serve their own selfish purpose, what
other construction can be placed on their acts
They will not now claim that they will support
the Bryanites in their movement should they be
Of the Bryan party. On the contrary, every one
of them, IL they are frank. will tell you that they
are and will be unalterably opposed to the prin.
ciples OF the Chicago platform.
Why they should hesitate to oppose the indorse.
ment or the Chicago platform and the nomina.
tlon OF candidates who advocate its principles
Is easy to explain. These gentlemen did not
hesitate TO vote and work last fall against the
democratic candidate for President OF the
United States because he stood for tho Chicago
platform. Now they seem ready to accept that
platform and the candidate for Mayor who
adopts its principles. 1t is not possible that such
distinguished Democrats think less of electing q
Democratic President than they do of electing a
Democratic Mayor. Is the Mayoralty with Its
patronage more ~alluring TO them than the Presi
dency OF the United Statesi They mercilessly
slaughtered the Democratic candidate for Presi
they are willing a few months thereafter to
Loyalty support n candidate for Mayor OF Greater
New York who shall espouse and proclaim the
very same principles.
1t is plain that they are attempting to hide be
hind a miserable subterfuge. Their purpose Ia
by by . defiSSiydin Yo, an army m S,,O of honest he but perhsp.
may be counting without their hosts.
A CONFUSED DEMOCRAT.