The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-12
Silver Men in Massa-
chusetts Ready For
a Fight.
CONVENTION IN BOSTON.
George Fred Williams Will
Give Quincy a
Whirl.

The dogs of war will be let loose In
the democratic camp at headquarters
in Boston next Thursday.
Notice was received in this city last
night that on that date there will be
meeting of the executive committee OF
the state central committee, at which
plans for the state convention will be
considered.
From information CLEANED by The
Spy man last night, it is likely that the
convention will be held in Boston. This
is significant, and shows that the
Bryan Williams men feel strong
enough to buck the Boston machine,
hitherto the most formidable obstacle
in their path.
If the convention is held in Boston, 1t
will be notable. too, from the fact that
1t will be the first time in years that
the state central committee has chosen
that stronghold of old-line democrats
as the place of convention.
Williams, like the unshorn Samson,
feels his strength The Massachusetts
A leader is now in Europe, but he has an
able and astute lieutenant in William
4 S. McNary, and if the Boston machine
X resumes it's tactics of other years, and
tries to down the Dedham man, there
will be merry war.
In a quiet way, the Bryanites have
been repairing their fences, and in Sc
1ecting Boston as the convention city,
there is note of defiance to the ma
chine, headed by Quincy
The Worcester members of the state
central committee are John O'Gara,
James H. Mellen and John e. Sullivan,
but none of these are on the executive
committee. They are, however, watch
ing developments with keen interest.
Mellen and O'Gara are believed to be
moderate Bryan Williams men, but in
a recent interview, Mr.. Sullivan showed
that he was on the fence, and Is not
prepared to say just which way he will
throw his support
Nothing short of a reaffirmation Of the
Chicago platform and the endorsement
of Bryan and Williams will satisfy the
Dedham leader, and any opposition or
the Boston machine to this policy and
to Williams leadership, will be the sig
nal for bitter fight for control of the
convention.
While it Is too early to forecast plat
forms, it is safe to say that the entire
Chicago platform will receive the allie
y >
with added planks denouncing trusts
and imperialism.
In regard to Imperialism, large
number of Worcester voters received
yesterday a pamphlet containing a
speech on Imperialism, as a crime
against the constitution, against liberty
and against mankind" delivered by
Representative James H. Mellen Of this
city before the committee on federal re-
1ations of the Massachusetts legisla-
ture. This speech sets forth the ar
guments that win probably prevail at
the state convention in the framing Of
this particular plank.
In regard to the silver issue, some
prominent democrats are in favor of
subordinating 1t, but as Williams is
committed uncompromisingiy to this is
sue, 1t may be set down for fact that
16 to 1 will be the score, as usual.
McNary is in constant touch with
Williams, and the leader will be sent
back in time to take the helm at the
convention. 1t will be interesting to
watch the progress of the fight now that
the Chicago platform democrats who
control the state committee have
thrown down the gauntlet and ehal-
lenged the machine right in it's own
bailiwick by practically giving out that
the state convention will be at Boston.
The machine men are saying nothing
but the political woodpile is the scene
Of some vigorous saving, and it is not
likely that the old-line democrats will
give in to Williams without making a
last grand stand for victory. Follow
ers of the machine in Worcester were
not prepared to say last night to The
Spy man just what line of policy the
Quincyites might adopt, but they init
mate that the willy Josiah is not the
man to stand by calmly and see the
ground taken from beneath his feet.
1t was as a fighter that he became a
power in Boston politics, and they
think he owes it to himself to buck
the Williams machine.