The evening times., 1898-08-27

New York. Aug. 2.-william j. Stone
former governor of Missouri, and a close
| friend and political adviser of William ].
Bryan came to this city on business last
night.
Former Gov. Stone. who is the choice
of many Western and Southern Demo-
| Gratis for chairman of the Democratic
National Committee for the campaign Of
1900. expresses the opinion that Mr.. Bry-
an will again be the choice of the Demo-
cratic party for President two years
hence.
Upon being asked whether Western
Democrats were much interested in the
action to be taken by. New York Demo-
Gratis at their State convention in Syra-
cuse next month, Mr.. Stone replied, with
much emphasis, that if the Syracuse con-
vention should ignore the last national
platform of the party, or If it should re-
pudiate that platform or nominate for
governor any man who only supported
the gold standard In 1896, the Democracy
OF New York would thereby place itself in
opposition to the party in every other
State of the Union and practically would
De without standing in the next national
convention.
Read between the lines, Former Gov.
stones utterance on this point means
that II the regular organization attempts
to sidetrack the principles of the Chicago
convention, rival organization will be
buiit up in this State to wrest control
from the present leaders.
do not believe" said the former
governor. that the Democrats of Mis-
souri, have undergone any change of SEN
timent on the money question, and be-
leVe the same may be said of all the
western States. If any one believes that
western Democrats are less interested In
Iree silver coinage now than in 1886 IL
would be well to get rid of that impres
sion at once. If possible they are more
determined than ever to force that issue
until their demands are complied with by
some satisfactory measure of bimetalIic
coinage. With us bimetallism is not a
lad. as some hereabouts would make be-
lieve. On the contrary. with us it is
deep conviction that 1t is necessary to
the industrial well-being of the country.
We will fight for what we believe to
be right. If the Republican party adheres
to the single gold standard policy the
money issue will be the leading issue in
1900. as 1t was in 1886. and If We are beat
IN we Will try II again."
Discussing the Democratic situation in
New York State particularly with refer
ence to the silver issue. Mr.. Stone said:
Il hear some talk to the effect that the
New York Democracy may turn tail on
this question by ignoring it in the plat
form and by placing a pronounced gold
standard man at the head of the ticket.
In my opinion that would be grave mis-
take. About the only national effect such
a course would have would be to array
the New York Democracy against the
Democracy in nearly all the other States.
and practically eliminate the former as
factor in national politics.
THE time is past when any one State
can dictate the policies of the party. II
New York desires to exercise any infiu-
ence in the next national convention IL
must be in line with the national Democ-
racy. I hope there is no truth in what
l have heard. and prefer to believe there
is no truth in 1t; but. if. unfortunately,
this rumor should prove to be well found
ed. ! hope the real Democrats of New
York may find some means of preserv-
ing their party organization. If for no
other reason than that they may have a
representative delegation at the next ma
tional convention l am anxious to have
the support of all patriotic and we'll
meaning people, but we cannot purchase
at the expense of principle. Party prin-
ciples cannot be kicked about like foot
bail, going first one way and then an
ether Bimetallism is right. and We will
fight for it until we get IT.
When asked il he thought Mr.. Bryan
would try to influence the platform decia-
rations of the New York convention.
Mr.. Stone said: II do not believe
Mr.. BRYAN has endeavored or will en-
ipra
vention-"
As to territorial expansion and other
issues growing out of the war with Spain
the former governor said:
..J do not think there will be any issues
growing out of the war. The war is end
cd and all that remains to be done re-
Iates TO the terms of settlement most of
which have been already agreed upon in
the protocol Porto Rico will be ceded
to the United States; an independent
government will be organized in Cuba un-
der an American protectarate. certain |
cessions. ample for our commercial needs. |
will be made to US in the Ladrone and |
Philippine ISlands, and perhaps else |
where. The unsettled things are largely |
matters of detail. and do not apprehend |
that what has been agreed upon, or may !
be agreed upon. will cause any serious
division of opinion among the people OF |
any party |
Upon these questions the recent DEM |
ocratic and Republican conventions of |
Missouri put substantially the same reso- |
lutions in their platforms; and that will |
be the rule in practically all of the States. |
There will be no issue worthy the name |
ON the question of acquiring territory or |
privileges by treaty. l have |
no idea that any party issue will grow |
out of the settlement of these matters. |
but after all the details are disposed of ,
there will be other questions arising |
more or less connected with the war, and |
these may give rise to party issues.
What shall our future policy be with |
to Cuba after We have helped |
the Cubans to put up a government of
their own under our protection? Shall |
we endeavor by all honorable means to
acquire the island and incorporate it in
to our system of States, or shall our poll
cy be in opposition to annexation? 1 am
for annexation l think the policy of our
Government should be directed to that
end. Believing that annexation would be /
Of the greatest advantage to this coun-
try and Cuba, we should use every hon
orable means to bring 1t about / believe
that will be the position and the policy
Of the Democratic party.
Unless the Republicans change front. |
which they can always do with easy IA
cilfty. and come over to our side, an is
sue may grow up out of this question.
see no other prospect of an issue, on ter
ritorial expansion.