The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-21

In this calculation is Included foIr
Western States-Wisconsin, Minnesota,
Oregon and Washington-whic are as
certain to send Chicago platform dele
cations as California and Iowa At one
glance it is therefore seen that forty
eight votes must be deducted from this
calculation leaving only 266 possible
votes if the anti-Bryan people can carry
every New England and Middle State.
Can they do it? In Pennsylvania, the
machinery of the party is in the hands
platform in 1SG5-men, who are as de-
voted to the principles enunciated in
that declaration as any Democrats in
Nebraska or Colorado. The same is
true of every New England State with
the possible exception of Connecticut.
and in the other States no anti-silver
ter long and hard struggle. As show
ing the full scope of the movement. the
Post goes on to say:
THE movement which is here outlined
was brought to Bryan's attention when
he was in Washington recently to at
tend the dinner of the Virginia Demo
cratic Association, and he admitted
that he had already heard OF it. His
friends pointed out, however, that there
was no way in which the opponents,
of silver could secure a majority of the
convention, and that, therefore, it
would not avail them to nominate
candidate unfriendly TO silver ON a plat
form which would declare unequivocal
ly for the free coinage of that metal.
New York Democrats who are believed
to reflect Croker's views, however, say
that the nominee is of far more import
ance than the platform, and that it may
be possible to select a candidate who
will be willing to stand for silver but
who will not be as closely identified
with that issue as Mr.. Bryan. In other
words, it is held that if Bryan is again
chosen, he will be the apostle of silver.
no matter what other issues may be
enumerated in the platform. If some
Other candidate of less pronounced
views should be nominated. the utter
ances regarding silver would not as
sumo such Importance.
MIR. Bryan's position was made very
clear to the friends with whom he con-
ferred while in Washington. He viii
not personally make a fight for renomi-
nation, but is willing to stand aside IN
case the Democratic leaders should
consider that some other candidate IS
more likely to insure success for the
Democratic ticket. II may be that by
next winter and spring the expansion
issue will be of more formidable pro-
portions than ever. and if the Demo
cratic managers shall decide to emIha-
size this question and select some other
candidate than Mr. Bryan. he will en-
ter as heartily and enthusiastically into
the campaign as il he were seeking
votes for himself"
The Washington correspondent Of the
Atlanta Journal throws additional light
upon the plan. He writes.
There have been recently a number
of actions on the part of eastern Demo
Gratis Indicative of Il purpose to WELD
an influence in the next Democratic ma
tional Convention in opposition to free
silver and to Bryan. 1t is very evident
that the antifree silver members of the
party do not intgnd to play passive
part in the next convention, but to the
contrary it is their purpose to make
themselves felt in tremendous endeav-
or to shake the party fealty to the one
issue which overshadows all others in
the campaign of 1896. If they cannot
defeat a declaration in favor of free sill
yer. they will do their utmost to make
fires silver subordinate or at least not
superior to other issues.
! For months the eastern Democrats
have been laboring to make expansion
an issue. Headed by Croker and other
New York influences many moved bold
ly to force the Democrats to a favorable
position on expansion. Interviews
speeches and abundant editorials Were
flooded upon the public with view
10 making Democracy the champion OF
expansion and to affording an easy
means of escape from the partys ex.
IRENE committal to free silver
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