Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-11
WANTS ALL ANTI-REPUBLICANS TO
VOTE FOR HIM IN 1900.
WOULD DIVIDE THE sP0ILs.
FREE SILVER LEADERS HOLD A
CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO.
Meet In Secret to Discuss the Next
Presidential CampaiEn-MetrO-
pOlitan Daily Paper Wanted
Country Editors to he
Whipped Into Line.

Chicago Jan. 10.-Western Democracy
has started the machinery for the cam
paign of 1900. AT n conference of the silver
leaders held at the fremont house they
took up the question of newspapers and
tried to find some means not only OF estap-
fishing great metropolitan daily WITH
MANY writer's on its staff. but to whip the
country editors into line for free and un-
limited coinage at n ratio of 16 to I. Among
those at the gathering were William Jen-
nines Bryan, already in training for the
presidential nomination; Senator Stewart.
of Nevada; Editor Morss. of Indianapolis;
d. ]. Campau, of Michigan; Mayor Harri-
son. Thomas Gahan, Robert T. Burke, Jo-
seph F. Martin. l.. Z. McGann, Joseph
Kipley, Dudley Winston, of Chicago; C. n
Ladd, of Kewanee; A. C. Bentley, secretary
of the state central committee; Mr.. Dun
lap, of Jacksonville. and several oher mem-
bers of the state committee
They assembled at o'clock In parior U
of the fremont house and for two hours
indulged in a serious discussion Of the sit
uation. 1t was agreed that free silver
would be the Democratic slogan In the
next national campaign, and the domlnat-
ing spirit that prevailed was that MIR. Bry-
an would have clear field for the nomi-
nation for president.
The first matter of Importance to be con-
sidered was the question Of how to get the
support of the press. Those present talked
of establishing Il big daily paper in Chica-
go at an early day for the purpose of pro-
noting the interests of Mr.. Bryan and his
cause. While nothing. so far as could be
learned, was definitely decided upon, II was
the unanimous opinion that the poIcy 10
pursue first was to get metropolitan pa
per in this city and then swing as many OF
the country dailies and weeklies into line
as possible.
The idea of the big newspaper has been
gathered for some time by E. B. Webster.
432 Washington boulevard. He calls his
proposed publication the National Journal.
1t plans for 100 editors and contributors
over the country to prepare silver matter
for campaign of education leading up TO
William Jennings Bryan gave personal
notice to the Democrats of Chicago that II
he is nominated for the presidency In 1900.
Election S hs eAe on Populistic and free silver Re-
publican. as well as Democratic, votes.
and if he won; he intended to give the
aforesaid PopuliStic and free silver Repub-
lican allies share of the spoils.
.'It may be-" said Mr.. Bryan. speaking
| of the next presidential election and talk
strong enough to win without any outside
| help. But nevertheless prefer to win with
| Republicans on the other: And We must not
| forget when the victory Is won that in the
campaign of last year 1t took more courage
| on the part of the free silver Republicans
| to desert their old party and more self
| sacrifice on the part of the Populists to go
outside of their organization for prest-
| Dental candidate. because he agreed with
| them on the paramount issue, than 1t did
| for the Democrats to support the ticket
which was nominated by their own national
| convention
His hearers were all practical politicians
| and recognized the meaning of the words.
| They mean that in case of Bryan getting
| into the White House Populists and free
| silver Republicans would come in with the
| old-time Democrats for a share of the
spoifs.- Senator StewARt. of Nevada. smiled
| approvingly, and Prosecuting Attorney
| Taylor. who has always been a Populist.
| nodded assent, but men like National Com
mitteeman Gahan and Secretary Burke
| looked black. and not q sound of applause
came up from an audience which a moment
| before had been cheering wildly every ut
| terance of the speaker.