Evening star., 1898-11-18
DIVIDED ON SILVER
Fight Over the Old Issue Within
Democratic Ranks.
EFFORT 20 give II SECOND PLACE
No Direct Repu iatio !, but Simply
an Overshadowing.
THE PARTY'S UNCERTAINTY

A loud cry against silver is being raised
wlthin the democratic party. An exciting
and important, though not very open. fight
has already started within the ranks
The campaign against the Chicago plat
form has begun. and feeling of anxiety
is manifest among the strong supporters
of that platform. AS nearly as can be de-
term'ned at this stage of the matter. The
plan will not be to attempt a direct repu-
dtation of the free silver plank of the plat
form, hut to SO ove-shadow 1t as TO maxi
1t a matter of secondary consequence. so
that it will belong to the "ani others class
of issues recited for the attention of the
voters at the presidential election
The recognition of such a struggle for
supremacy in the party is very pointedIy
given by Mr.. Bryan in breaking his pro-
longed silence to suddenly put himself again
at the head of his scattered and tempo.
rarily leaderless supporters
Eager to Take Issue,
A good many democrats have become so
eager to take issue with the administration
on the assumption that the Philippines are
to be annexed that silver leaders foresee
that men of their own faith are going t., be
led INTO the discussion of that question and
that tney will thus assist that element of
lne party winch is bent upon diVartiug at
tention from the late Chicago platform.
1here is demand among silver men that
Bryan come to their rescue, but there is
confusion In counsel and many difficulties
are in their Way
Democratic opposition to a treaty of
peace which anneNes the Philippine Islands
to the United States is openIy Threatened
Such opposition is recognized as certain to
make an issue, which will attract the at
telItion of the whole country almost to the
exclusion of anything else, yet there ap-
pears no way of holding the abid anti
eApanslonists in check, and those men who
want to get away from the money issue
grasp eagerly at the opportunity.
Looking for a new issue, they cannot de-
te1mine just what form it will take until
after the treaty has been signed or the
policy of the administration has been stated
in detail. What they anticipate is that the
administration will follow a policy of an
neXation and that, without offending the
sentiment antagonistic to the restoration
OF the islands to Spain, they can declare
for the independence of the islands and
make the issue between annexation and the
establishment of an independent govern
nent.
But they do not yet know what will be
the exact form of the administrations pol
icy. and meanwhile democratic leaders,
eager with their opinions, are committing
themselves in advance and getting the sit
uation seriously tangled for their party.
While the President is keeping his own
counsel, these democrats are f1ounderng
about and making issues that they cannot
get away from.
The Senate and House.
Another disturbing thing, to the strong
adherents to the Chicago platform, is that
the Senate will stand in the way of silver
legislation, If nothing else does, for ten
years or more, and that possibly the next
Congress, being republican in both its
branches, will fix upon the country a cur
rency system which will meet all the de-
mands for money, satisfying those people
who merely want a greater volume of
money, without being particularly interest-
ed in silver as a precious metal
1t Is now recognized a settled ming
that there is to be a fight made on Bailey
for the leadership of the minority but the
attacks that are being made on him from
eastern sources are liable to turn to his
advantage. 1t is intimated among the de-
termined silver men, some of whom We're
disposed to seek some other leader that in
the face of the fact that the eastern con-
tngent of the party will try 10 deposa him.
with the purpose of splitting the party in
caucus, the whole silver element will have
to unite, and no candidate from that ele-
ment can afford to contribute to the con-
fusion by making d contest.