New-York tribune., 1899-07-26

BRYAN AND ALTGELD.
IMPORTANCE OF THE EX-GovERNoR's
INFLUENCE IN A NATIONAL CONTEST.
THE HARRISON FACTION LITTLE TO BE FEARED
NO ATTEMPT BEING MADE BY BRYAN TO

OBSCURE THE SILVER ISSUE
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuxEl
Washington. July 25.-A number of mistaken
and misleading impressions seem to have
reached the East through certain newspaper
publications both OF the work done by the Demo-
cratic National Committee in Chicago last
Thursday. ana OF the attitude assumed at that
gathering by Colonel w. J. Bryan. the pros
pective nominee of the party for the Presi-
dency in next years National canvass The
display by Mr.. Bryan at the comm tees meet
ing Of some primary qualities OF political lead
ership-his determination not 10 involve himself
in the quarrel Of the Chicago factions. and his
polite desire 10 conclate the elements in the
party which have hitherto looked askance at his
candidacy-have doubtless suggested the over
hasty conclusions that Mr. Bryan is ready. on
the one hand 70 break with the extremists like
Atged. who secured his nomination in 1896
and on the other, TO delegate the free coinage
issue TO the background in his second race for
the Presidency. Neither inference is warranted
however, by anything that happened last week
at Chicago
Mr.. Bryan realizes that TO retain his suprern-
acy In the party he must poll larger vote in
the Electoral College in 1900 than he did in 1896,
and he is naturally eager TO offer the lukewarm
and dsaffected Eastern wing Of the Democracy
any reasonable platform concessions which fall
short OF an actual reputation Of the declara-
tons OF 1896 He Is also anxious TO encourage
any friendly approaches made by the elements
in the party which have been recognized
more less hostile to his second candidacy.
His present policy. as announced in The Trb-
une's dispatches from Chicago last Thursday. is
one Of caution and conciliation; and that policy
In he baOpyOentlV
attitude which he assumed toward the Harrison
and Altgeld factions in Illinois, and in the over
ruling OF all schemes suggested for the estab-
lishment of severer tests OF party regularity and
the specially in the East-of
more rigid party discipline. But his friendliness
! to the representatives Of the regular Democratic
| organization in Illinois did not by any means go
! to the length Of severance OF his long standing
! political and personal relations with Ex-Governor
! John P. Altgeld; nor did his nsistence on a
! liberal Interpretation Of the present standards
J OF Democratic regularity commit him TO the sur
render OF free silver coinage as a paramount
| article Of party faith.
| CLAIMS OF THE HARRISON FACTION
/ 1t is clear that Mr. Bryan as a champion Of
party regularity could not afford to ignore the
claims to recognition put forward by the Harri-
| son faction In Illinois Mayor Harrison and
| his friends now control the Democratic organi-
! zaton not only In Chicago but through
| out the State and Mr. Altged. by boiling
the regular ticket in last springs municipal cleo
| ton in Chicago and running independent
| candidate plainly put himself and his following
i outside the party pale. Thomas J. Gahan, the
| Democratic National Committeeman from Illi-
nos is an ardent anti-Altgeld partisan. but at
| the same time he is disposed 10 lend helping
hand in Colonel Bryan's canvass for renomina-
| ton. In the open letter Mr.. Gahan published
| last week. declining TO be present at the Audi
| torium meeting. he openely pledged the regular
| Democracy's support TO Bryan in the next Ma
| tional Convention, and this pledge was heartily
seconded by other leaders in the Harrison or
| ganization It is no wonder that. undo these
| circumstances Colonel Bryan should seek to be
released from the awkward predicamen' in
which an innocent acceptance Of the invitation
| 70 speak at the Auditorium meeting had placed
| him. or that he should assure the Harrison man
| ayers Of his sincere regret that he had been
| caught in so unpleasant dilemma. But that,
when addressing the "outcasts" in the Audto-
] rum. he should declare that "a Chicago Demo-
Gratis look alike TO me" is certainly no evidence
| that he has determined to cut loose from the ex
| Governor politically, or that he sees no rurther
advantage in maintaining the friendship which
| aid so much 10 insure his nomination for the
| Presidency three years ago
Mr. Bryan has little or nothing 70 fear from
| the regular or Harrison Democracy in Illinois.
for the leaders OF that organization admit that
thev cannot divert the vote of the State next
wear to any other candidate Their influence in
politics moreover, does not extend beyond the
borders OF Illinois Ex-Governor Altgeld. on the
other hand. though az present the head OF a de-
ftated and somewhat discredited minority fac
tion at home is still force TO be reckoned with