New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-08
ALTGELD AND THE SILVER ISSUE.

Not little mystiicati0n seems TO have been
caused by Ex-Governor John 2. Altgelds recent
statement that he would not favor top
heavy" silver plank for the next Democratic
National platform. Political critics-especially
in the East-have been somewhat at a loss to
account for the Illinois leaders sighting refer
ence to an issue which he was thought to con-
slider indispensable and paramount. In their
view no Democratic politician was more COM
pletely committed to the free coinage pro-
gramme than Mr.. Altgeld. 1t was his inf1u-
ence, joined with that Of the Southern and
Western extremists that nominated Bryan in
1895 and limited the scope Of the campaign
which followed 10 the single issue Of free sill
yer. In factional politics in Illinois ex-Gov-
ernor Altged has posed for some time past as
the distinctive champion Of Chicago platform
Democracy, and his name has figured con-
spicuously in the management of the Ohio
Valley Bimetallic League, an organization whose
principal object seems TO be 10 terrify sus-
pected Democratic leaders into continued fidel-
fly TO the platform declarations of three wears
ago Some surprise was therefore natural when
the Illinois statesman was reported the other
day as disappearing any effort to make free
silver coinage the controlling issue In next
years National campaign.
81 would not" Mr.. Altgeld is quoted as say
ing, make the platform topbeavy with a 10
'to declaration. don't believe that would
mention the ratio at all. l would simply put
Into the platform declaration reaffirmng the
monetary policy heretofore advocated by the
democratic party" And, with the all impor-
tant issue Of 1896 thus surred over. the ex-
Governor would devote the bulk Of the plat
form 10 Imperialism. trusts and other topics
both less dangerous and more novel
There is, however. nothing very extraordi.
nary In Mr.. Altgeld's readiness to reduce the
silver issue 10 comparatively subordinate
place in next ye9r's canvass. In common with
Colonel Bryan. Ex-Governor Stone and all the
other Western leaders, he realizes that the
Democratic party cannot abandon the cause OF
free silver coinage. Even In waving the 1e
10 ratio, Mr.. Altgeld is still in accord with
orthodox party sentiment for propositions t.
Nrajse the ratio to 10 TO ], or even % TO l. have
been advanced and voted for In Congress by
Democratic leaders whose devotion to silver in
Aation antedates the appearance Of either Alt
geld or Bryan in National politics What thu
present day Western managers have in minC
IS not TO deaden the force OF declaration
which still retains a genuine popularity withii
the party but 10 avoid obscurlng, through II
excessive exploitation, the minor drag net il
sues on which every opposition Presidentia
candidate counts TO attract votes.
1t should be remembered also. that In e&
Governor Altgeld's political philosophy free sil
yer coinage has always figured as means, no
an end He embraced the issue IN 1895 mainl!
because It could be used as a weapon TO dc
feat the Eastern Democratic politicians AM
throw the control Of the National organization
into Western and Southern hands. His owl
political programme strikes much deeper thai
the mere restoration Of the double none!
standard. BY taste and inclnations he is i'm