Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-31
M'LEAN'S POSITION
He Had No Option as to the Tenor
of the Platform.
STRENGTH OF THE BRYAN PEOPLE
Were at One Time Anxious for
Their Leaders Safety
ORGANIZATION NOW PERFECT

The necessity under which Mr. John r.
Mclean found himself of permitting the
adoption of platform by the Zaresviiie,
Ohio, convention ;ndors:ng the Chicago
platform with emphasis On free silver, iG
to L, and an unequivocal dec.arat.on IA
favor of the denomination Of Mc W:narn
J. Bryan. is regarded by politicians who
are entirely familiar with the s,tuatio: as
the most conspicuous manifesto l:i.n OF the
thorough control which Bryan has over the
democratic party organization t..at has vet
appeared. 1t has been we'll understood
among politicians that Mr. Mclean was
hrst tempted to seei. the Cube rnato-iaI
nomination from the democratic party in
ONO by the belief that il doing he might
piace hiHSe!i IN commanding position
where he could become rival OF Mr.
Bryan and avail himself of the opportunity
should one develop Of leading the forces of
rehao!lltated democracy against Bryan.
bryan People Were Anxious.
AT one time the Bryan people were rem
cered anxious for the safety of their leader
in the next democratic national convention
py the bei-ef that Mr.. Mclean was CO.
operating with the Whitney German
Croker-Belmont-Ha combination and
the element of the democracy having large
commercial and corporate interests in an
effort to turn the Ohio delegation to the
next convention from Bryan. Latter,y there
nave been evidences that Mr.. Mclean
doubted the practicability of committing
himself to this combination but that he
AIMED to get control of the party organiza-
ton IN Ohio so that he could use it in such
manner as circumstances might dictate. 1t
mas been believed that his idea, after decid-
ing that an open hostility to BRYAN at this
tiiiie was not practicable, was to get con-
a nj
II he saw any promise Of success in sucn a
move he might be able to turn it against
EIyan; or, If this could not be successful
i.Id Sah nomination being obviously inev-
ltaple. he could throw the Delegation to
nm claiming the title of leader among the
Bryan men, with the prospect of being
erected TO the Senate should the democrats
Ds successful! IN capturing the Ohio legisla-
ture ana OF exercising a large influence
over Bryan should he by any Dossihiitv
be elected President 49,
No Option on the Platform
Inc course of the convention however,
thoush Nj. Mclean was able to contyo, IT
10 the extent of securing the nomination
was Such as TO demonstrate that the BRYAN
eleiheht was stronger than Mclean and
that no option could be left with him to de-
oei II ~, me me course Of the state delegation
d. ne democratic national convention The
state convention, by the terms of its reso-
luton, failed to leave the partv orranf~o
r.
tion IN position to be thrown either way
by Mr.. Mclean, but marked out a distinct
ana definite course which he~must follow
WIN respect to the democratic national or
gGniZation. The uncquivocal declaration in
favor Of Bryan, the Chicago platform and
Tree silver marks out the path for Mr.. Me-
Lean and notifies him that his power de-
pends upon his acceptance of this situa-
ton.
Strength of the Bryan Organization.
Politicians lock upon this as a most re-
markabie demonstration of the efficiency
of the Bryan organization within the demo-
cratic party. Ii is regarded as one of the
maj and convincing truths that the demo-
Gratis who have ever entertained any hope
of being able TO get rid Of Organism are
utterly helpless and might as well give I'D
the nght and be prepared either to aban-
don the democratic party or surrender their
convictions and the PRINCIPLES which they
believe in in politics No doubt is enter
tanned that Mr.. Mclean, realizing the SIT
uation, will from this time forward pose as
loyal and aggressive Bryanite oftho most
radical type, his associations and business
interests Notwithstanding.