New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-20
r7r VIEW GEORGE FRED WILLIAMS.

Tho collonuv which took place last Monday
IN Chicago between George Fred Williams. OF
Massachusetts, and John r. Mclean. OF ONO
dlscloscs a strain Of calculating unscrupulous-
moss in -Engands grcntcsi silver leauer
onlto n variance with his record for quXouc
and emotional craftsmanship. The TWO as
tinguishcd interlocutors had met ~ members
or a subcommittee Of the Democratic Natonal
Committee. charged with putting the party ma
cbinery in working order for the Presidential
comraicn Mr. Williams had found himself
unable 10 give very much time to the business
on hand being obliged to hurry back To Mas
sochusctte 10 supervise tho election this week
hv the Democratic State Convention of thirty
delegates 10 hold seats IN the Democratic Ma
tional Convention of June or July next His
anolocctic statement Of the reason Tor ms
hurried departure provoked an expression OF
surprise from Mr.. Mclean that any state
should find II necessary or advantageous 10
select delegates m the National Convention so
far IN advance. To this the MASSACHUSETTS,
statesman is said to have replied that he was al
nresent i'm control of the party organization. ana
could name delegation Of radical silver men.
vbereas his opponents might he able 10 PICK
IN q fcw vote, were the elections postponed. ms
hos been customary, until next winter or next
spring.
So frank an avowal by Mr. Williams of his
nurposo to take snap judgment on the Demo
Gratis Of MASSACHUSETTS, naturally astonished the
assembled committeeman. who had just sun
scribed to a touching appeal for party harmony
and unity and the adjustment Of all local ana
factional differences IN the general party IN
torost Had such high handed and arbitrary
(y0Rnpl
"hold up" chief of the Kentucky Democracy
or even hv the party leaders in New-York, who
had already experimented-though disastrously
with one "midwinter' convention, no special
wonder might have been excited. But that
convert to Jeffcrsonianism who had sat at the
feet Of Altgeld and had had his zeal for popu-
lar rights kindled by the memorable cross or
gold oloquencc Of Bryan should exhibit such
Indifference to the opinions and wishes OF Dem
ocratic voters seemed 10 shock the sensihilities
of the NOT too susceptible political opumlS'S
collected about the Democratic council board
As Young and tender congressman Mr..
Williams shed tears at the defeat Of Mr. r. ..
Mills in the heated fight for the SpeakorShlp
against Mr. Crisp His emotion overfowed
then AZ the thought that machine polluclahS ol
tho TYNE Of German. Hill and Brice had IN
terfpTpd 70 prevent me cuWVe ny INV i'""'N
Democrats If the more popular and logical
Marty candidate for the Speakcrship; and on
those grounds he refused 10 give his vote 10 Mr..
Nrs's successful rival When Mr. Hill. TOO IN
furtherance Of his candidacy for the Presiden-
tial nomination was misled into forcing the
famous Washinctons Birthday Convention or
1902 Mr. Williams's Indignation at that A.
tompt 10 stine Democratic sentiment IN ms
state though 1t did not express Itself IN tears
must have stopped only AZ the very lml' oi
snfuSion. Times have changed. however ana
u.e find this once sensitive advocate OF III"
freest possible expression Of party feeling ana
conviction compelling the amazement OF MS
democratic associates ar Chicago by a pro
qramme which Outdoes in its cynical iorehand-
odness anything attcmpted-at least in TINS
ceneraton-in American politics. Mr. Williams
may be more successful with his new expert
mont in Massachusetts than Mr.. Hill and his
allies were In Ncw-Nork But the surprise
manifested in Chicago At his methods should
warn him Of the dangers Of his latest departure
He is not made Of the same stern stuff as the
Goebels and Crokers and after ne has ceased 20
no purely emotional and fearful politician
The New-Engand Democracy Is not likely 10
interest itself in his political fortunes or leader
shin