The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-16
THE MAIN ISSUE IN 1900.
arr = THE CHIEF PLANK or
yuE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
-, Way Etc eliminated nnd Teller May
became the Lender penslon Attorneys
,,,lInE WAR on Sommissioncr Evans-A
r..,.ai pcnsioncr Down in Tennessee.

- Nuy He BlUlNnhVNu HuH hGNFNN my
,..omr the Leader Pension Attorneys
.,.LI,r WAR on commissioner Kvnnn-A
T,n,ra, pcnsioncr Down I'm Tennessee.
v,suIyeroy. Jan. l5.-By common consent
al who are watching the currents hero tho
e.n,rol plank of tho Democratic platform for
GOO ia 10 be free silver. Beyond that, two
Iss,,,ons are unsettled. The first is, how much
" ,ho last nlatform can or should be kept out
', s,cb,. and tho next concerns the possibility
- dominating Mr.. Bryan. The question of sup.
s,,ssnr some OF tho populistic features OF
isoGis seen TO involve the further inquiry how
tor this can be carried and still retain enough
.r,port. from the populists and their allies to
sT-rt the Inevitable loss OF sound money
Democrats.
so,o,or Tcllcr's recent declaration in open
Senate that henccforth his lot would DO cast out
aldo the Republican party and with those who
,ourht its overthrow is not regarded rs a light
matter among his associates. His recognized
ability, his aggressive powers, his high party
standing for n long torn of years. and his 1T
ness from earnest devotion to silver interests to
Icod the silver party. nil enter into the consid-
grafton which his present position is receiving
from party leaders. Many are already asking
n It may result In replacing Mr.. Bryan in tho
leadership.
The late events in Ohio have greatly encour-
aged the silver men to believe that they can
form alliances Of consequence with Nepubli.
cans. The spectacle OF q Presidents State,
where great party majorities have been cast,
btlng so nearly wrested. Immediately after a
decided party victory, from the hands Of those
who won 1t. and having both branches Of its
legislature organized by the opposition, is not
often seen in our politics. and It 10 therefore
receiving earnest study here. On the other
hand, tho situation is emphasizing to Republi-
can leaders the Importance OF tho fullest recog-
milton OF and active alliance with the sound
money element outside the Republican party.
without which support President Mckinley
would not have been elected. In short, the
Ines are being rapidly formed again for a Presi-
Dental contest. The indications arc clear that
tho forces will rally on ono side for sound money
ind the national credit, and on the other for free
silver. The promise seems to be that in this rally
Ing n more general dislntegration Of the parties
will occur than took place in the last campaign.
A crisis seems at hand in the Cuban question.
though the conditions looking toward 1t have no
connection with the sailing Of Admiral Sicard's
fleet. The belief at the State Department that
autonomy has failed has become a conviction.
The appalling situation on the island among the
starving thousands has at length been clearly
made known. and no one hero any longer fails to
sec that the United States has an Armenia ut
its doors. and within reach of its guns. Those
who have ad elaboration. and such con-
sentative action as might be needed to preserve
peace. are beginning to waver, and tho number
OF those who have supported ~inaction except
through diplomatic channels is rapidly decreas-
The Administration has thus far proceeded
earnestly upon tho theory that the country
should not be disturbed in peaceful ways and
turned aside from efforts to re-awakenit its INDUS
tries and restore prosperity. Even those who
insist that the President should go to extremes
In these directions arc beginning TO see that
support OF some kind from the United States
layed.
Congress. out of proper respect for the Execu-
tive. has refrained from precipitating debate
and action pending his earnest efforts to relieve
the situation without direct interference. Tho
Indications are that the question cannot be much
presented there, and brought to vote. the result
ia certain to take tho form OF pronounced hostil-
ity, TO Spain. The situation. long critical. seems
TO BIO rapidly approaching the explosive stage.
The differences between this country and
Japan. arising out of tho proposed annexation
ranged. This removes all complications from
that quarter in the way Of annexation. There
s %Gsl ior nS sSe s sss sm0 inier sailing s fSf th isf Il tT IS nSt i *.
tended to say that the present opposition is, in
any considerable degree. influenced by that con.
to depend upon two or three votes, tho argu-
ments of the sugar industry may decide the
question.
The situation in China. as was predicted, has
unquestionably strengthened the sentiment for
annexation. since it has made clear to all minds
the pressing Importance OF our control OF this
central and dominating station in the Pacific.
u is agreed, on both sides that II the United
States now declines to accept Hawaii, some one
OF these are recognized as hostile to this coun-
try in the all.embracing commercial war now
trade. The question OF unrivaIled battleships
on the high seas without friendly stations. or
Is iGS ut iSsut O tIx,n Hr the Pef attention re OF co %Ma ssn'! Tbee
same Is true OF our unequalled guns for coast
defence, mounted at immense cost about most
important hurbors, but rs useless, for want of
skilled artillerists, as logs of wood.
While these naval and shore line situations.
S ar. fia mnTs. these y. hu mIn6I u r national situations I nrae,n.
or less degree. the condition of the Treasury Is
the sh9ckling,iron which prevents liberal re-
While the friends OF the Dinglcy bill show in.
creased confidence with each, weekly report Of
s VIII %i,n rsSei the thss 5Se ena OF Of 5s' t ise1 ae dEenr
There is a growing number in Congress OF those
who recognize the relief which would come Mt
crease Internal revenue receipts by additional
taxes. but which would not In any appreciable
degree affect tho consumer.
Aletter from Knoxville. Tenn, gives an illus
tration of how thoroughly the pension attor-
neys have cultivated the fields In that region.
are not only Tennessee Unionists. but many
soldiers from the North have settled there since
T. war. Naturally, ii SUNS articles on pen
slons created much talk. As one result, n
wealthy veteran. decided to give q dinner to all
Union soldiers who could be found whose field
service reached or exceeded six months and
VINO had never been on the pension roll. His
own estimate OF the number of such which he
could DC able TO find among, the citizens OF
knoxville was fifty. After Industrious inquiry
una search he succeeded in discovering only
nlne' and, finally, the dinner was given with
mat number. In the course OF the search for
diners one wealthy man was found drawing a
pension Of $2l who had never been under fire,
and who, after enlisting, had only reached his
regiment in time 10 be mustered In one day and
mustered out with the regiment the next.
nose pension attorneys in Washington who
Teions TO the class whose disreputable practices
commissioner Evans exposed and denounced,
are making open wal upon him.. Thcy affect
great confidence in their success and boldly pro-
,laIhi IL Is their purpose TO compel the President
W femoye him. They use no word milder than
eompel" in making known tho course they