The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-29
nr-,1oCRArIC OPPORTUNITY.

A DEMOCRATIC OPPOIlTONlIh'
M Democratic convention Of Pennsyl-
,ania will meet at Altoona tomorrow
ana the issue will be watched with more
.,,., uspal interest. The Democracy Of
Pennsylvania is not strong as compared
with the opposition. but there are those
Who believe that the opportunity is now
at hand for the party to elect its state
ticket
We have several times alluded to the
fact that there Is a strong opposition IN
the Republican party 90 the quay ma
chine. which has become so corrupt and
arrogant that many sclf-rospocting Re
publioans are DESTROYS Of overthrowing IT,
and have reached the point where they
are willing TO ally themselves with the
the Democrats IN order TO redeem the
state from Quayism. II the Democrats
will make a platform which deals only
with State issues and will nominate
man of ability and character with the
courage TO bring about needed reforms,
If is believed that an Democrats in the
state and many Republicans and Prohi-
bitionlsts and Independents will rally
TO the support Of the ticket and give it
such strength as TO insure its success.
But we do not expect TO see this pro-
gramme carried out. Tho silver forces
are determined from all appearances. to
do something for silver" regardless Of
consequences, and therefore will nominate
a Bryan man on the Chicago platmorm.
Nothing could better please Mr.. Quay
than for the Democrats TO pursue this
course Indeed, 1t has been said that
Quay remarked some time ago that the
Republicans could do more for themselves
before the Democratic convention should
be held than after that occasion, by wihch
he meant that Il was to the interest Of
the Republican ticket that the Demo-
cratic convention should nominate sill
yer man upon a silver platform.
The Times does not believe I'm subordi-
mating principle to success, and If the
silver men conscientiously believe it to be
their duty to make capital for the Ma
tional Free Silver Organization rather
than to retire that issue for the time and
go in for good State government, we have
no quarrel with them. But st does seen
like great pity for believers in good
government 10 neglect this splendid op-
portunity to score a great victory against
the Republican machine simply 20 follow
u fcrlorn hope
Since the above was written we find
the following in the same line In the New
York Evening Post:
The curious ramifcatons Of modern
politics are strikingly illustrated by one
feature OF this struggle in Pennsylvania.
Il has come out that Chairman Jones OF
the Democratic National Committee is
holping 10 put through the scheme for
sacrificing the fine chances Of a Demo-
cratic victory in the Keystone State by
sending State issues to the rear and SUD-
stituting the hopeless championship OF
free coinage. This seems a very extra
ordinary attidue for a Startes-right
Democrat from Arkansas 10 assume
interfering in the purely State contest
over the government of Pennsylvania,
and especially when he interfercs I'm
order 10 inJuro the chances OF his own
party. What IS the explanation? Here
IS the story which Is told by a close po-
iitical friend OF a prominent Pennsyl-
vania Democrat. who has come out in
favor OF this treacherous scheme:
chairman Jones of the Democratic
National Committee is the man who has
caused Guffey 10 go back on Gordon.
Jones secured tho change in Guffey. at
the request of Senator Quay. The senior
Pennsylvania Senator and the Demo
cratic National Chairman are in a posi-
ton TO help one another more frequently
than Is known by the general public.
Very recently Jones and some of HIS
Western colleagues were deeply inter-
ested in the passage Of a measure be-
fore the Senate They needed Eastern
votes. and Jones interested Quay. who
promised 20 aid him II ne would use his
influence with Col. Guffey 10 prevent the
nomination by the Pennsylvania Demo-
crates Of any man other than free-sil-
Verite You see. Quay had made all OF
his plans 10 conduct the campaign in
Pennsylvania on tho free-slver issue. and
he know that II Judge Gordon WAS nami-
mated. II would be impossible 20 do this"