New-York tribune., 1900-05-13


intense. Four years ago every effort directed
the inculcation OF free silver sentiments and
radical change in the monetary policy of the Gov
ernment declared to be the great and only
panacea for all the ills from which the country
supposed TO be suffering. To-day these lead
working to convince the constituency
that the money question has been least tenn
pOrarily settled by passage the gold standard
BILL and that it is the duty of the party to hold
IT'S free silver sentiments in abeyance for the time
being and devote its energies wholly TO other and
the light of events. more important ques-
tons.
To this end effort is now IN progress so to
fix the representation In the State Convention that
a delegation will be to Kansas City pledged
oppose any reference in the National platform to
the free silver question. Concident with the meet
Ing Of State Convention June 6 the several
district conventions will be held and delegates to
the National Convention will be selected, and on
the day the delegates large will be chosen
by the State Convention. The party managers
believe that if Indiana sends a deega ton TO Kan
sas City that will oppose free silver pronounce
ment IL exert great influence upon other
Western delegations. especially this State was
one Of first 1896 declare unequivocally in
favor of the white metal
PROMOTERS OF MOVEMENT.
The scheme was first put on foot by Mr. Morss.
Editor OF The Sentinel" the State organ of the
party. and its ramifcations soon became apparent
when Chairman Martin of the State Committee.
Mayor Taggart and other leading Democrats OF
the State began openly to question the expediency
OF making any reference the money question in
the National platform. Some Of the most tnfu-
ential free silver Democrats were then drawn into
the scheme and It only a short time until
there was d manifest effort in progress to defect
the party from free silver and If possible ignore
that issue entirely the State and National plat
forms.
An effort was made to bring John Gilbert Shank
No NAL G'nTrDn Tee
over TO the plan. but he refused 10 De party TO
IT, and declared himself in favor OF the reathrua-
ton OF the Chicago platform by setting II out IN
full in the Kansas City pronouncement- he argued
that the party thousands Of votes to the
Popusts II It deserted free silver and that such
policy would not only be cOwardly and forfeit the
respect Of the country, but would be suicidal as
well. The refusal Of Mr.. Shankn TO join in the
effort 70 defect the party from the issue OF four
years ago did daunt the men who are in
charge of the scheme but was followed by de-
termination throw Shanklin overheard. Mayor
Taggart's friends began once TO suggest him for
membership the National Committee to succeed
Shanklin. and IN addition TO fixing the choice OF
district delegates who would oppose free silver
steps taken to select men who at the same
time would support Iaggart as AGAINST , SnabK i1b I'M
free coinage sentiment OF the party ana ms can
ma king a square issue between the conservative
and radical free silver wings.
ALL NOT READY TO DROP FREE SILVER
The leaders are not having their own way IN all
sections for In some It has been found Impossible
TO secure ready acquiescence IN the plan drop
free silver Some have suggested that It would be
well 20 adopt compromise plank by simply de-
caring that we reaflrm the Chicago platform"
sues others are in favor declaring fealty all
preceding platforms made by the party, while
others have advocated generous endorsement OF
the heroic campaign made by William Jennings
Bryan in 1886 and the declaration that the prn-
clpes Ior when h ne ttnSassere san thai thev
o4,F1 an frdnF o
ton and where necessary the party could point to
and on the other hand they could be construed
not TO ndorse free coinage II so desired II Is pro-
posed in this way TO have platform that VIII
catch the voter coming and going & Tor 1 10 The and fre w
the Gold Democrat nothing In partlc9Iar mem Inc IN,
dications now are that the subject VIII be ignored %
age will be indorsed only by the merest lmpAca-
II is said here that Mr. Bryan is the greatest OBJ
stacle the way Of the adoption OF plaLtorL az
the India ma leaders, and they expecting 10 have
trouble with him tnah ] WIN me Inc gee G SIN
that he would accept nomination on plat
age but when this is done he Is willing that me
subject shall occupy place IN M me ca calpalg M t ,nat
TO force IL prominently to the front rms IS CON
make free silver the dominant issue. as il was in
1896, and that ne wiz consent 70 IT'S Us reega9n I9 10
the principle.
AFRAID OF GOLD DEMOCRATS.
Indiana Democrats, however. fearful that If
it once gets into the campaign by Endorsement OF
the National party II Will Of itself become prom
,rent and in that event they do believe that
- Cold Democrats will support either the State
National tickets. They thus appreciate the fact
- the money question be the disturbing
taIsor in the campaign and are specially anxious
that Indiana shall be represented at Kansas city
~. a daiegaton that will oppose radical action
a6d n possible. secure such conservative express
sion that Gold Democrats VIII not De offended
by il. a.cb,,g .h o,,,,,,.r -.
- Darnnrratic leaders with good deal OF
carp and are expecting a united party 10 result
So, the Kansas City Convention. The ultra wing
80. ,iaced ticket the field and the Fusionsts
aTa working with the Democrats in the belief that
L hLe %btna@o nlatform will be reaffrmed and the
camnaian viii made on the old issue, with those
and mperiaIsm secondary. II the
g.,an3s,s should be disappointed this there
wn1 h. a hegira instantly back TO the Populist
WI nd tt is this belief that is sustaining the
pitra wing The predicts that the Democrats
10 ,.nore free silver and IN that there
", WIN ,,,Ia doIiht that the Populists will poll
"a epa 70 900 in this State The Democrats
ooY 49, san.1aing upou the personality OF Mr.. Bryan
"a boid the Popuiists the support OF the ticket.
and do appear 10 @ thinn ina. 90 Tar as these