The age-herald., 1899-06-13
LEADERS IF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
 DISCUSS ISSUES TOR THE CAMPAIGN
Almost Unanimous In Giving the Trust Question
 Prominence

Chicago, June 12-The Times-Herald has been asking members of the democratic na- tional committee what should be their par tvs battle cry in 1900, whether Free sil- ver," or Down with the trusts" or both.
 While but one of the replies of the dem- ocratic leaders, the representative from Maine, the home of MT. Bryans running mate in 1886, says: "Drop free silver;" they are but unanimous in giving the trust ques- tion a prominence it never has had in the platform of their own or any other party. With one exception all who speak freely suggest that some other issue will divide equally with free silver.
 Some say "militarism," or imperialism" will be one of the prominent issues. Others "a few-frankly emphasize the trust ques- ton as the big thing. Still others speak for a twin battle cry.
 '"The issue of 1896 should be the issues of 1900." This one exception is Alexander Troup, of Connecticut.
 George Fred Williams, Massachusetts; D. J. Campau, Michigan; B. B. Smalley, Yer mont; Frank Campbell. New York; l.. D. O'Brien, Minnesota; G. D. Dudley, Texas, are either non-committal or refuse to be quoted.
 The committeeman who say free silver must have first place in the platform al- though generously combined with the ques- tions "militarism' and expansion are in Colorado. Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas and Indian Territory, which latter does not vote for president. All the others put the trust question first and lay much stress upon is sues produced by the Spanish war
 Must stand by old Platform
 Captain Clark Howell, Jr, of Georgia says:
 Until a new platform is made, We should stand by the old platform, except of caurse on such questions that might arise conditions which are new and whi not under consideration at the tiI meeting of the last national c and even on such questions I propriety of the national committt the declaratory position in advano conventions in several states. questions which are now uppermost perialism and the concentration of in trust and combines"
 Urey Woodson, of Kentucky, says
 "A year hence Bryan will be renon upon the Chicago platform, unaltere by such additions with reference to imperialism and other new issues as ...,.y seem necessary"
 Joseph Daniels, of North Carolina: 'The shibboleth of the campaign, the democrats will wage in 1900 will be Down with the trusts! The Chicago platform will be re- affirmed, Bryan will be renominated and all men who are opposed to trusts of all sorts and to miitarism will be invited to join in a struggle to restore equal opportunity which the trusts deny, and to crush the at- tempt to saddle the old world militarism upon the country"
 B. R. Tillman, of South Carolina, says: T shall advocate the Chicago platform without taking out a single word and would add to it strong blanks against trusts and mlitarism."
 James M. Head, of Tennessee: "In my judgment the national democratic conven- tion in 1900 should reaffirm every principle laid down by the Chicago convention in 1S9s without any trimming or equivocation, and if possible in more direct and unequivocal language. The democratic platform should also denounce in unmeasured terms the acquisition of territory by force of arms"