The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-26

|
ing gold standard Of value at all times and
opposed "the free coinage OF silver" and
any further purchases OF silver bullion or
the coinage thereof on Government ac-
count. At the Chicago convention, twenty
seven Of the thirty delegates voted against
the silver platform. After the overwhelm-
ing adoption OF the new creed, eighteen Of
the thirty steadfastly refrained from sup
| porting any candidate for the Presidency,
| protesting against the proceedings by their
refusal to participate. Tho other twelve
| delegates scattered their votes among va
| rlous candidates without concentrating
them on any one until the final ballot when
six we're recorded for BRYAN, three for PAT
TYSON OF Pennsylvania, two for Vlce-Presl-
dent STEVENSON and one for DAVID b. HILL
OF New York. This one delegate voted for
the nomination OF Mr.. HILL on each OF the
ballots taken, and he was the only one Of
the 932 delegates who did
Later, the minority faction OF Massachu-
sets Democrats became its controlling
force. The party went as far in its auda-
cious support Of silverism in Massachusetts,
as any Populst convention In Kansas had
ever gone. At the convention OF year ago
In October the platform demanded the
restoration Of silver and gold in the coin
age at the ratio which was maintained
during so many prosperous years in the
history OF our country, 1.-The ratio Of 10
to T." The convention further endorsed
Mr. BRYAN and reaffirmed with emphasis
and profound conviction tho great and
patriotic platform OF principles adopted by
the party In national convention In Chicago
In 1896" The Transformation Of tho party
In Massachusetts, during the two years III
tcrvening had been complete.
The reason given for the determination o.
the Massachusetts, Democrats to elect del
gates and alternatives next month to TIL
National Convention OF 1900 Is the UNIV j.
lingness Of the Bryan men to allow IL, n
conservative associates to occupy any
position where, to quote the language u
Mr.. BRYAN, they could thwart tho will %
the Democratic party"
What further or moro direct notice ~
moss-back conservatives" REQUIRE that
their advice is not sought, their counsc.s
needed or their votes wanted, it is difficult
to say, for tho Massachusetts, Democl ats
made no pretence Of yielding anything to
them or of making any concession on their
account The intention Ia to elect on Septem-
Der 81 straightout unanimous delegation
pledged to BRYAN. In doing this a pretty
hard jolt will be given to what is sometimes
called "the cherished Democratic principle
OF home-rule." The whole matter OF elect
ing delegates will be taken in hand at the
Boston convention and any chance which
the gold men might otherwise have OF
securing representation in one Of the dis
tricts will not only be taken from them,
but taken in such a way as to be most
effective. for the unit rule in Democratic
national conventions is regarded as binding
and an instruction to the delegates elected
next month to vote as unit on all questions
will dispose Of friction.
The Bryan men are in the saddle OF the
Democratic party In Massachusetts. They
are prepared, it would seem, to force the
fighting against any opposition within
Democratic ranks.
This Is the general spirit which actuates
the Bryan leaders in other States. The
battle cannot begin too soon for them,
though 1t Is observable that they are most
reckless in defiance Of their timid brethren
In States which, like Massachusetts. are
overwhelmingly Republican, or States
which. like Mississippi, are overwhelmingly
Democratic.