The Washington weekly post., 1899-11-21
Democrats See but One Chance
of Success.
JONES AND COLLEAGUES CONFER
Probable establishments of Bureau Of In
Farmers and Workingmeu that the Bene-
fits Of the Present High Prices Are
Bryan Wanted In New Jersey.

Chicago, Nov. S.-The Democratic ma
tional executive committee. with Chair
man ]. X. Jones in the chair, spent most
OF to-day at the Sherman House discuss
ing matters pertaining to organization,
ways and means, and the administrative
affairs Of the organization. The commit
tee will meet again tomorrow. and It is
expected will get through with the bust
ness on hand before night
Nothing was said about a meeting of
the National Committee. but it is the
opinion of most of the executive commit
teemen that the full committee will be
called to meet in Washington February
p, and that the next Democratic Con-
ventiOn will be held in the latter part of
May or the first Part of June Senator
Jones would say nothing about calling
the committee.
The committeeman were extremely un-
communicative as TO what was done at
the meeting. Secretary Charles A Walsh
said the committee had transacted 10
business of interest or Importance. and
had only considered administrative af-
fairs. After the meeting had adjourned,
however. some OF the committeeman con-
tinued the discussion of the probable sit
uation next year. They disclosed the fact
that considerable part of the commit
tees time had been devoted to discuss
ing the probable effect of high prices on
the campaign of 1900
Voters Must Be Won Over.
II was said that several members OF the
committee are of the opinion that if the
present prices Of manufactured products
are maintained next year. with plenty Of
work In sight, the Democrats will have
a hard row to hoe, unless they can show
farmers and workingmen they are not
getting an equivalent increase for their
farm products and labor. 1t Is the pur-
pose of some Of the committeeman to or
ganize a bureau of Information and edu-
cation, whose duty Ii shall be to gather
accurate Information relating to trusts.
cost Of manufacturing. selling prices to
jobbers and middlemen, selling prices TO
consumers. wages paid. and cost of raw
material They believe they will be able
to show that the present high prices are
the result of trusts and combinations
and that workingmen have been given
but a small proportion OF the increase in
selling values.
This idea has assumed such tangible
form that it is predicted w H. (Coin)
Harvey will be placed ut the head OF the
admit this matter had been discussed. II
is proposed to employ a large staff Of
men to gather information which can be
used In an antitrust campaign.
There did not seem 10 be any disposition
to shelve free silver as an issue Ali the
said free coinage was In
the platform TO stay, but none of them
said IL would be the dominant issue.
SuIzer Speaks for the East.
Congressman William Sulzer. of New
York. appeared before the committee He
said trusts would be the issue In the East
James F. Minturn. Of New Jersey, told
the committee practically the same thing.
Senator Pettigrew. of South Dakota. and
Charles A. TOwne. of Duluth, both Of
them silver Republicans. told the commit
tee that free silver was still live issue
In their States
The members Of the executive commit
tee who were in attendance to-day were
Senator j. X. Jones. of Arkansas; Chair
man Charles Walsh. secretary; J. G.. John
son. Kansas: H. ID. Clayton. Alabama:
Thomas Gahan. Illinois; J. @. ShankIin,
Indiana; ID. j. Campau, Michigan; W. III.
thompson, Nebraska: 7. D. O'Rrien.
and Norman T. Mack. Of
Buffalo. who held the proxy of George
Fred Williams. of Massachusetts,. Vice
Chairman w ]. Stone. Of Missouri was
he conspicuous absentee. He sent a teIe-
gram, saying he was sick and would NOT
De able 10 come to Chicago.
Among the prominent outsiders who
'aiied on the committee were l.. A. Rosln9.
,hairman Of the Minnesota State commit
ee; b. ID. Shively. of South Bend. Ind
W. ID. Davis. of New York.
Allen w. Clark, of Indiana. and DR.. F. j.
Of Indianapolis.
ExGov. John Z. Altgeld called on Can
Itor Jones during the day. and met witb
warm reception. Mayor Harrison ala NOT
all on Senator Jones
Bryan Wanted In New Jersey.
James F. Minturn. Of New Jersey. asked
he committee 20 help the Bryan Demo-
rats Of his State. He said the New Ter
ey Democratic committee did not bsv.
he confidence Of the Chicago platform
Democrats. and that some Of the men,
ers mad voted the Republican ticket He
'ante1 w j. Bryan to visit New Jersey
nd help straighten things out.
There was strong feeling anono ,b.
0mmitteemen present in favor OF holdinS
he national convention earlier I'm the
ear than has been the custom heretorore
! number Of the committee expressed
themselves as being in favor Of holding
ne convention In April or May, prefer.
biy the latter month. II was not within
ne province OF the executive committee
take any action regarding the eOnven-
on. but IL was freely admitted that the
Iers Of all expenses paid and bonus Of
4@D 20 the campaign fund, which has
cen made by Kansas City and Mlwau-
ee were leading 20 very favorable con-
Iteration In both cities
Congressman Sulzer. OF New York. man
ged during the day % put some strong
rOps under his ambition TO be the nnlnorz
y leader Of the House in the next ses-
on OF Congress. lie received promises
aid from Illinois and other Western
tatrs. and number Of Southern votes
ere promised him When he left tonight
y New York be claimed IS votes. Is sh1rt
the mum Der necessary 70 give him the
ace.
IL was announced at the conclusion of
be meeting that a gathering OF free sil-
n men will ne reid Ia Chicago on or
bout December !.