Evening star., 1897-06-07
Object of Silver Republican Confer
ence About to Meet in Chicago.
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION TO FORM
viii Act as Moderator Between
Other Silver Forces.
TO FIGHT HANNA IN OHIO

CHICAGO, ILL.,, June THE silver repub-
licans are assembling here for their con-
ference tomorrow. A considerable number
arrived last night and were in consultation
with Chairman Towne. ex-senator Dubois,
Senator Pettigrew and Representatives
Hartman and Jones. The headquarters of
the committee are at the Leland Hotel.
The meeting Is technically one of the
provisional national committee of the sill
yer republican party for the purpose of
effecting a thorough organization of the
party, and the call was for one represen-
tative from each state. Notice has been
received that more than thirty states will
be represented, and over hundred repre-
sentatives will be present at tomorrow S
meeting.
1t is in no sense a national convention,
but the conference is one of great political
Importance in its bearing upon the course
Of the silver forces in the future The
union between the various elements that
made up the silver forces of last year.
democrats populsts. silver republicans and
the so-called silver party, was but loosely
drawn and the organization was not such
as to be effective. Since then these ele-
ments have been drifting along together, IN
some respects more in harmony than dur
ing the late campaign. but not drawn to-
gether by any definite plan of action
Object of the Conference.
The object of the silver republicans is to
take steps which will lead to unity of
action and establish an organization ina,
will lead to effective work. Their avowed
object is unity and Intelligent cooperation,
and their intention is to devote themselves
to the task of establishing complete mar
nony of action between the democrats,
populists and themselves.
Their first step toward this Is to perfect
their own national organization, so that
their forces can be directed in manner
to cooperate with all other elements OF
the silver aggregation. They propose TO
establish a permanent national committee
state and county committees, ana an Or
ganization even down to election districts
aud precincts and to secure the enroll
ment of silver republicans in clubs Their
object is to gather in a body those silver
men who are, or have been. republicans
and who are devoted to the silver cause,
without being willing TO join either the
democratic or the populist party, and then
so to direct their efforts as to make their
work as effective as II all the silver forces
were enrolled in one party Chairman
Towne says that the organization of sill
yer republic ans in those states most i'm
portant to the contest they are making
has been progressing very rapidly. espe-
ctaIly in Ohio. where fight is to occur
this ocmIrg fall. The Importance of the
move ment. whether looked upon with
friendly or unfriendly eyes will be seen
In connection with the Ohio senatorial
fight. which IS the closest at hand.
Will Fight Hanna in Ohio.
The silver republicans are organizing in
Ohio to help the democrats defeat Mr..
Hanna and eject democrat to the Senate
from Ohio.
The object is to make a fight at every
point right on through until after the
presidential election. four years hence,
uniting on the candidate of one element or
the other of the silver combination in each
field. so as to prevent a division of the
silver strength. They want the silver can
didstes everywhere, whether for the leg
islatures. for Congress or what not to be
the common candidates of the allied silver
parties They hope to carry this principle
into the fight for every United States SEN
ator where there is any chance of a silver
man being elected. and into the congress
SIGNAL he'ht year from next fall. By this
means they hope to see an increase in
the lumber of silver men in the United
states Senate and 10 capture the next
House OF Representatives.
Will Act the Role of Moderator.
Apparently the silver republicans design
to use their influence and power as a sort
of moderator between the various elements
Their plal evidently Is to urge harmony
and to compel it where necessary If they
can Their plan seems TO be to place them
selves into such a position through the
strength of their organization that they
can say TO both the democrats and the
populists that they do not intend to fuse
with one against the other but will fuse
with both, and to insist that the silver
forces be kept together. They disavow
any intention Of Independent action ex-
eept to the extent of maintaining their
own organization, and in the name of the
cause which they represent to throw the
weight OF their disapproval upon any fac
uon IN either party which refuses to har-
mo1ize and endeavors to create discord
Their avowed object is to cooperate with
the silver men everywhere and to help
every silver candidate by whatever ele-
ment put forward. and to exert their in
huence az far as possible 20 prevent Sill
Yer candidates of different elements being
put up against each other to divide the
strength.
At the meeting tomorrow Mr. Towne Will
deliver an address to the conference and
the several committees will be appointed