The Springfield herald., 1900-07-06

hiuSiS Sity, q uiS 81 hSlN 40 - -
stant bang, bang OF hammer. raspins
of saws. shouting of orders and rush
ing of feet, day and night, at the big
hall where the Democratic National
Convention is to be held. As fast as
one portion of the structure is finished
the decorators pounce uIon it, and,
with bolts of bunting, flags, ana PIC
lures of Democratic leaders, set in the
national coats of arms. cover up the
walls and spaces so that the delegates
will see all the colors and cmblems OF
the national holiday coupled Win evil
dences of n Democratic celebration.
About the hotels. however, there is
already briskness and moving thronEs
of familiar convention faces. A num-
ber of the old-line Democrats, who nave
been going to conventions Tor years.
and the younger men who belong TO the
"new Democracy" have arrived and
taken up the work in hand. Several
boomers of vice presidential candidates
have come in and are making consider
able noise.
The platform to be adopted by the
Democratic National Convention Will
contain n declaration for the free coin
age of silver mt the ratio of 16 to l, un-
less Mr.. Bryan changes his attitude.
and each fresh arrival from Lincoln
brings renewed assurance that the
foreordained nominee of the convention
is maintaining his position in favor of
the declaration.
Occasionally delegate can be found
who will take the position that not even
Mr.. Bryan can be allowed to dictate
the party's platform. but majority
agree that ms all the delegates are prac-
tcally instructed for the denomination
of the candidate of 1896 he has an eX-
ceptionnl right to ask to have the reso-
lutons hnrmonze with his views on
any or all subjects.
However. while it is true that the in
dications point strongly to the specific
utterance above outlined, there is still
very determined opposition. appn-
rently originated with former Senator
Hill of New York and his following.
and it has been taken up by other lead
ers in various sections of the country.
The Tammany interest of New York
appears to be entirely recOnciled to any
silver plank. however extreme. but 9th
er factions unite in opposing it. Judge
Van Wyck. Eliot Danforth and j. Bris-
ben Walker all unite with Hill in this
position. though disagreeing with him
as to motives. Mr. Danforth agrees
with Judge Van Wyck that there are
other questions more important for
consideration. and while still profess
ing the utmost loyalty to the white
metal, he contends that in the interest
of the party it should no longer be Civ
en- the place of paramount Importance
in the declaration of principles.
Senator james X. Jones' chairman
of the national committee. and ex-Gov-
ernor Stone of Missouri both of them
recognized as staunch leaders of the
silver sentiment. are of the opinion that
reatlirma>ion of the Chicago platform
is all that is necessary. Governor
stone said to-day that he considered the
differences that have manifested
themselves n mere quibble. hut he de
clined to say whether he would be will
ing to stop with the rcaflirmaton of the
declaration of 1896 Many southern
delegates express themselves rs indif-
fcrent on the point. and are inclined to
make the concession demanded by the
Hill sentiment. National Committee
man Campau is also inclined to subor-
dinate the question of ratio to other
subjects of current Importance
On the other hand, George Fred Will
iams announces. that he considers the
financial question Still of the greatest