The Springfield herald., 1900-07-06
DEMOCRATIC HOSTS
AT KANSAS CITY.
The Exact Wording Of the Silver Plank
Not Yet Agreed Upon

Importance, duu says ne lt'iS ''i'!iN'h'
that the New England delegates ate
practically solid in that position "l he
free coinage of silver mt the ratio Of
16 to l was the touchsIOne of the con
vention in 1906" he said to-day, 'and
its reiteration will add strength to the
cause in the coming campatgn.'
james Kerr, n delegate-at-large from
Pennsylvania and secretary of the
congressional campaign committee.
takes a somewhat different view, but
he would not stop at mere declara'
ton for the Chicago platform. He
holds that new conditions will make il
necessary to add something to what
was said on trusts in 1896, and he says
to make an additional plank on that
subject and not to make it on the IL
nances would be considered as invidi-
Gus, and would result injuriously. He
would. however. not use the phrase III
to l. but would declare for free coin
age at 1.-THE legal ratio
1t is expected that the Silver Repub-
lean party will ask to be consulted up
on the question of the financial plank.
The representatives of that party al
ready here express strong preference
for positive declaration for the old
ratio I'VE want 16 to l." said former
Senator Dubois of Idaho to-day, ''buI
if they will put Towne on the ticket
with Bryan we will be willing to make
concessions on the money plank.
If, however, such IA man as Hill is
to be nominated, we want an iron-clnt,
silver platform. '.Thus you see" the
ex-senator added. 1.-THE personality of
the vice presidential candidate may
have a decided influence upon the pla
form and vice persia. Bryan ana
Towne would be II platform in them.
selves"
Mr.. Bryans position as outlined by
those close in touch with him is this:
He holds that the popularity of thu
Democratic ticket in 1896 was due
largely to the positive position taken on
the silver question. and that to take Il
backward step at this time would be
an evcidence of faltering and would
weaken the ticket in its own strong
holds without strengthening it where
there is no hope of winning. He even
goes so far as to say that he regards
the platform rs of more importance
than the ticket
He thinks also if he should take any
other position. he would be accused OF
vaccilation, and that, in short, every
things is to be lost by making Il change
while nothing is to be gained by it.
Those who agree with Mr.. Bryan on
this point contend that there is no pos
sibility of his changing front before
the time arrives for the party's official
declaration, and they consider it pre-
posterouS that the convention should
disregard his wishes on this poini.
Hence they contend with great conf
dence that whether the Chicago plat
form is reafirmed or not there will be
an unequivocal pronouncement for the
old ratio.
For the rest. the resolutions will de
nounce the gold standard and the Porto
Rican Legislation of the last session OF
Congress. II will condemn trusts i'll
unmeasured terms and at the same
time accuse the Republican party Of
fostering and maintaining them. The
administration will come in for strong
ceusure for its policy in the Philip
pines. and it will recommend that the
Philippine archipelago be placed ON the
same footing rs Cuba. In the same
connection there viii be planks de
nouncing militarism and Imperialism,
and there will also be pnnks on the in
come tax, good roads, civil service.
pensions, etc. and a strong resolution
of sympathy with the Beers