Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-15
Silver Democrats Will Not Yield to
Gold Men,
HEAD OF CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE
Leaders Who Are Talked OF for the
Place.
n l. w seer ETA RY

1T is expected that the western congress
slonal committeeman of the House on the
democratic side Will hold a conference some
tme tnis afternoon or evening and select
candidate for the chairmansnip Of the con-
gressional committee At the same time
they VIII probably selec; a secretary. who
will be a member of the House IL take
the place Of Mr.. Lawrence Gardner. The
candidates selected by them will probably
be chosen. Senator Faulkner is not willing
to serve again chairman of the COM
mittee, a position which devolved upon him
great labor during the last campaign. oc-
cupying his entire time. There is no dis
agreement between Mr.. Faulkner and the
silver men, however. as has been intimated,
since he Is now about as radical a silver
man as there Is IN the party though he
was not formerly SO. The reason for MAX
ing change in the secretaryship is that
some OF the silver men are not satisfied
with Mr.. Gardner, and it is felt, anyhow,
to be better that the secretary should be a
member of the House. The belief is that
Representative Miers CT Indiana VIII be the
cncice for secretary.
Talked of for Chairman.
Several men are spoken of for the chair
manship of the committee. All of them are
strong supporters OF the Chicago platform
o'Au III AdNoh oA tIle uIutS ol tHe
forces for the next congressional cam
paign and the presidential campaign to
follow in 1860. II Hinrichsen of Illinois had
been selected as the member of the COM
mittee from Illinois, he would probably
have been chairman, and there has been
some talk of electing him anyhow, but he
has discouraged this and will not be a can
didate. 1t is believed that the choice will
fall between Senator White of California
and Representative Osborne of Wyoming
though Representative King of Utah Rep
resentatfve McRea of Arkansas and others
are being considered.
Inere mas been great deal of gossip
emanating from outside sources about an
attempt on the part of democrats who do
not like the Chicago platform to get con-
troll of the management of the committee
The silver people are suspicious of all who
do not heartily accept the Chicago plat
form, and no one who is at all doubtful on
that point will be placed In position of au-
thority. But II is so Well known that only
radical silver men are to be put on E1ard
that there is no encouragement to attempt
1t. There Is absolutely no disagreement
among the silver men on this point
Not a Gold Democrat Plot.
The story was started by irresponsible
authority that there Was a senatorial cabaI
aimed at securing some concessions for
the gold element of the old democratic
party. This story apparently was sug-
gested by the fact that Senators Mitchell,
Smith ard Murphy are among the nine
Members of the committee from the SEN
ate. 1t was stated that these men had
been placed there III some irregular way
by Mr.. German at the instance of Mr..
Croker, Mr.. Whitney and Others who
want to overthrow the Chicago platform.
This statement is not warranted, and is
moi true.
he all for
n ade in the usual way, senators formerly
on the committee being reapponted. except
IN two instances. One vacancy existed in
me old committee on account of death.
This was filled by the appointment of Sem
ator Cockrell, one of the most radical silver
men in Congress. Another vacancy was
made by d.splacing Senator Gray because
he had not supported the Chicago platform
ard candidate at the last election.
This vacancy was filled by the selection
or senator Rawllns of Utah, as radical a
silver man as there is in Congress. Mitch
ell, Murphy and Smith were retained be-
cause. though not really silver men. they
supported Bryan last year, and maintain
tcelr loyalty to the party. Their position,
however, does not give them any power to
serve the gold democracy, and the most
careful investigation discloses an over
whelming and unanimous intention 10 place
the organization entirely in the control of
the silver people. 1t is asserted on the part
OF the senators that they intend to leave
the selection of the officers entirely to the
members of the House, and to let them
have tie entire control. If Senator White
Is chosen Chairman ii will be by the selec-
ton of the House members of the commit
tee.
No Ovcrtures to the Gold Men.
1t is certain as snything can be in
the future that no sort of overtures are
going to be made to the gold men who
deserted the democratic party last year or
account Of the platform These men are
going to be left to follow whatever course
they want to, but if any of them come back
into the fold it can be only by the accept
ance of what they call Bryanism.
The lines on the silver question are being
drawn closer than they ever were before,
ard II will soon appear that the Only way
to antagonize the free coinage of silver is
to join with the republican party and work
for that party as the gold men did during
the last presidential campaign.
Silver Men I'm Conference.
A number of talks and conferences have
been held between leaders of the demo-
cratic, silver republican and populist par
ties, which have resulted in their getting
closer and closer together. They agree en-
tirely on the no-compromise policy and
have adopted the policy of making COM
mon cause in the support of each other in
the fight for silver. The gold people who
are deceived by reports OF disagreements
and divisions are being simply lulled into
a sense of security. while the Bryan forces
are perfecting their organization in man.
ner surprising for its skillfulness and COM
plete harmony of purpose. The talk about
men of their party by making terms with
them is simply intended to fool the people.
Personal Mention,