New-York tribune., 1899-06-13
HOW DEMOCRATS HERE FEEL.
VIEWS OF J. EDWARD sIMMONs-sHEE-
HANS FIGHT NOT For 1s TO l.

HANS FIGHT NOT FOR 16 TO 1.
Democrats in this city are taking deep inter
in reports which indicate that leaders OF their
party in some States inclined to put the free
silver issue into the background in the next Presi-
Dental campaign. Since Richard Croker declared
that free silver dead issue for the Tammany
organization II has come to be understood that the
influence Of the organization will be exerted 10
send a delegation from New-York State TO the next
Democratic National Convention that will be op-
posed 10 William Jennings Bryan and his 1e TO
hobby. Leaders among the followers OF Mr.. Bryan
have sought 10 encourage the organization OF the
Chicago Platform Democrats in this city In the
hope OF dividing Mr. Croker's organization and It
looked at one time II the fight which is being
wsged by John c. Sheehan against Mr.. Croker In
the organization might help their plans.
At a recent gathering OF leaders faithful to Mr..
Bryan in st. Louis. however. Mr.. Sheehan was not
among the men invited. The Chicago Platform
Democrats In this city have decided that they do
not want Mr.. Sheehan's leadership. Mr.. Sheehan
has declared that his fight against Mr.. Croker Is a
fight inside the Tammany organization and has
nothing TO do with the silver question. he said
yesterday that there truth in a report that
he to attend a gathering OF Mr.. Bryan's
friends in Chicago soon. He declined to enter into
any discussion Of the free silver question.
New-York Democrats who declared for sound
money In the last Presidential campaign are en-
couraging Tammany leaders to make a stand
against free silver. and have been declaring that
the Democratic party in New-York can be united
in 1890 By discardlng the issue which divided the
party in 1896 ]. Edward simmons president OF
the Fourth National Bank. told Tribune re-
porter yesterday that he believed free silver would
be side-tracked a rallying cry by the Democrats
In 1870 and that its elimination would rebound TO
the advantage Of the party. Free silver" he went
on, rs one Of the most unfortunate blunders ever
made by the Democratic party. sixteen TO one Is
nothing but reputation. 1t has been condemned
the the Democratic party blots from its
plank the dishonorable measure the better it will
Frank Campbell the New-York member OF the
Democratic National Committee. has been evading
next Democratic National Convention the free
silver question. The most he has had the courage
Viii Be the en most prominent feature Of the Demo
cratic platform in 1900. Several other Democratic
National Committeeman have been declining TO
them being eorge O Fred tde Williams of Massachu
setts: B. r. Smaley. of Vermont; D. J. Campau.
Of Michigan;. T d. O,Brien. OF Minnesota. and J.
encoura cement to New-YOrk Democrats In view OF
the utterances OF DR.. Seth c. Gordon, OF Maine.
and True L. Norris. OF New Hampshire who have
Will not be made the chief plank IN the next Demo
DR. Gordon has said: "Mr Bryan will be our
candidate, and the platform will not insist upon
bimetaic plank Of lss2 This ought to suit the
extreme silver men and will do much toward over
who We're opposed to the Chicago platform The
National Convention should take strong stand
against trusts"
Mr.. Norris has expressed his views as follows:
THE watch word OF the Democratic party in the
next campaign should be Down with the Trusts
For the present all other issues should be subord-
mated TO this one, which is OF paramount necessity
10 the prosperity. nay TO the life and freedom. OF
this country | not in favor OF repudiating the
Chicago platform OF the last campaign but | do
not believe the silver question should be placed
the forefront Of subjects al issue. The Democratic
party should not declare Itself in favor Of expan-
sion. William J. Bryan will be renomnated"
Most OF the other Democ -atic National Commit
teemen have come out with declara tOns In favor
Of reiterating doctrine Of the Chicago plat
form and keeping the free-siver issue TO the front
while declaring that war on trusts is 70 be made
another leading issue