New-York tribune., 1899-07-19
PLANS OF BRYAN LEADERS
MEANING OF THE CHICAGO MEETING OF
THE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE.
INTEREST IN ALTGELD-HARRIsoN FIGHT
WEDGE FOR coNTEsTING SEATS
IN NATIONAL CONVENTION
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

forcing this weeks meeting OF the Democratic
National Committee TO unmask and as far as
possible. to check the growing sentiment in the
party against Mr. Bryan's denomination for the
Presidency. certain developments OF the last few,
days amply Justify such guess at the
motive and objects OF Thursdays gathering
Both in its direct and indirect results the meet
ing Of the committee may be counted on to
illuminate some OF the darkened corners OF
Democratic politics. TO define more or less
sharply the programme OF the present party
leaders for 1900. and to disclose the attitude
and strength Of that conservative faction in
the party which still opposes the extravaganza
Of the Chicago platform and which though
confessedly minority has yet TO be reckoned
with. II the next National Convention follows
precedent and makes its nominations for Presi-
dent and Vice-President under the two-thirds
rule
The choice Of Chicago for the committees
emergency meeting OF itself a practical
challenge on the part OF the Bryan politicians
u the lukewarm anti Bryan wing For in
no other Middle Western State have the free
coinage extremists such complete control Of the
party machinery as in Illinois while in
other Western city is the local organization so
conspicuously tainted with Eastern alliances
the Carter Harrison Democracy. now triumph
ant in Chicago. To call together the strongly
pro-Bryan National Committee In State and a
city in which one Of MI Bryan's most devoted
and conspicuous lieutenants had just been
elected from party leadership was TO invite
reopenng Of local quarrels and practically TO
encourage the defeated chieftan TO seek that
recognition from the National organization
which he could not obtain compel at home.
So that apart from the legitimate business
which the committee was summoned 10 trans
act its sitting in Chicago could not fail 70
raise certain embarrassing questions OF party
regularity and policy. on the decision OF which
the ability Of the Democracy 10 maintain its
present organization in many Eastern States
plainly turns.
THE ALTGELD-HARRIsON RIVALRY.
Here in Chicago interest in the committees
Incidental adjudication OF the rival Altgeld and
Harrison claims for recognition far outruns
any concern over its probable recommendation
Of new rules new qualifications for eligibility
70 the next National Convention. AS was TO be
expected. Mr.. Altgeld hearing that the Ma
tional Committee would meet here on August 20
resolved 10 seize the occasion to regain. II pos
sible, his lost status a Democratic leader II
IS we'll known, OF course, that the Ex-Governor,
70 whose influence and friendship Mr. Bryan's
nomination in 1895 was largely due. has for two
years past been crowded out of power IN this
city and State by the present Mayor Of Chicago
Carter " Harrison At the last Nayoraity cleo
ton Mr.. Altge4s appeared in the field as bolt
ing Democratic candidate. and not only failed
10 defeat Harrison, but poiled vote altogether
meagre and humiliatng. Maintaining ''rump"
free coinage organization Of his own, he has
been planning for some time to choose a contest
ing delegation to the next Democratic National
Convention. and to obtain seats finally through
the vote of an arbitrary free coinage majority
on the next National Committee.
AS a means OF forcing recognition OF some
sort at the approaching session of the National
Committee he some time ago arranged a po-
NticaI demonstration for next Thursday night
al the Auditorium. at which many members Of
the committee and other Democratic leaders
were invited TO speak Anticipating a test
which he hopes 10 have the committee some
day apply for his own benefit. ne announced
tha: none except Democrats Of undoubted silver
orthodoxy would be asked TO address the Audi
torum gathering: and he ostentatiously struck
from the list OF orators three NatiOn Commit
teemen. wnom he clsssed at political heretics
and outcasts. These were Thomas Gahan. OF I'LL
nois whose seat Mr.. Altgeld himself covets;
Mr. Wall OF Wisconsin. and ex-senator Arthur
p German. Of Maryland.
MITTEE"
On Saturday after securing promises TO speak
from " j. Bryan. George Fred Williams and
dozen other silver leaders. the Altgeld managers
thought IL might add 10 the political impress
siveness Of the occasion If they could show that
the Harrison wing Of the past had absolutely
refused TO participate In the Auditorium meet
inx. letter was therefore written TO Mayor
II,- - 70
70 welcome the visiting free silver orators next
Thursday night But as Mr. Harrison's political
friend and ally Mr. Gahan. had been excluded
from the celebrants. the Mayor declined with
some rather pointed sarcasm. To the chairman
Of the Committee on Arrangements ne wrote
that 1T would be an absurdity 10 welcome these
distinguished men under the auspices OF self
constituted committee, whose personnel Is TOO
obscure 10 be known even in its home city
Instead OF attending the Thursday night rally
the Harrison managers have decided TO call an
informal meeting Of the Democratic state COM
mittee and with its aid 70 do any private Hlis
sionary work with the National committeeman
which may be necessary TO counteract the pup
lie display OF zeal and oratory arranged oy MI
Altseld Mr. BRYAN will apparently give his
moral support 10 the Altgeld faction oy at'enu-
ing the Auditorium meeting Whether he VIII
counsel any further practical recognition al TINS
tine Of the x-Governor's outlaw organization
Is somewhat doubtful But both the Nebraska
leader and his followers on the National Coin
mittee will let the Harrison regulars see that
any active opposition 10 the Bryan programme
FOR 1900 VIII be likely 10 entail ther own eA-
clusiOn from the National Convention ahu ,he
admission OF Altged delegates in their steau'
FREE SILVER MEN FROM NEW-YORK
somewhat similar bolt is being forged by
the Bryan leaders, 70 be held over the heads OF
Eastern backsliders from the free coinage faith
Encouraged by the fight made by ex-GoVerhor
Altged. two enssaries from an alleged SILVER
Organization ia New-York have appeared Oh