The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-02

parture of David B. Hill. OF New York. for
event Of the day. Senator Hill arrived at
Z o'clock in the morning. end he IVES
quickly in communication with Chairman
James X. Jones. OF the Democratic Ma
tional Committee. That conference lasted
till nearly 10 O'Clock. Then Mr.. Eli
jumped into carriags and caught the 1880
train to Lincoln. He is not expected to
return TO this city before tomorrow n ght
Mr.. Hill had not been out OF the town
fifteen minutes before it was made kDo Nh
that week ago he received letter at
Albany from w. J. Bryan inviting him 10
Lincoln for a conference as to the actral
situation OF the Democratic party in the
nation. 1t has been still further made
known. since Mr.. HIS departure today
for Lincoln, that Richard Croker Edward
Murphy, jr.. Hugh Mclaughlin, and all
others influential in the Democratic poll
tics of the Empire State have been fully
informed that Mr.. Hill received that letter
from Mr.. Bryan.
Moreover. 1t can be authoritatiyely an
rounced that Chairman Jones. of the Dem
ocratic National Committee; James Guffey,
Democratic National Committeeman for
Pennsylvania; A. P. Gprman. OF Mary.a and;
Ex-Governor Stone. Of Missouri; ex-Gov-
ernor Altgeld, of Illinois. and a dozen
others have secretly known for week
that Mr.. Bryan was to invite Mr.. Hill to
Lincoln. To put it all in one sentence.
all Of these men agreed several months
ago to bring tho platform situation before
Mr. Bryan. Senator German Is not here.
but he is represented by L. Victor
Vaughan. his proxy on the Democrats
National Committee.
vt turns out. after talking with a num-
bcr Of tho Democrats named above. that
for year past it has been impressed On Mr..
Bryan that declaration in favor of free
form to be adopted by this Convention
would greatly endanger the chances Ct
victory.
Action of State Conventions.
The leaders have seen that the State
platforms OF the last few months have
merely reafflrmed the Chicago platform
and have had no specific declaration in
favor OF free silver at 16 to l. Bryan, IN
all his talks with Jones and Stone and
Altgeld. has declared that he would in
sis upon the 16 to 1 declaration being put
in this platform. just as it was In the
platform at Chicago four years ago.
Nevertheless Jones and Altgeld and
Stone and their friends have told him that
the Palmer and Buckner vote in 1896 did
not by any means represent the detection
from the Democratic party, and that thou
sands Of Democrats went right over to the
Republican party and voted for Mckinley.
Mr.. Bryan's advisers within the last year
have told him that II he persisted in
specific declaration for 1G to /, he could
not hope to carry a single State north OF
Mason and Dixon's line and east of the
River. AS yet, Mr.. Bryan has
not bean moved from his determination
that the 1s to / clause must go into the
platform.
Mr.. Bryan will absolutely control the
Democratic National Convention II he
says the Is to l clause must be put into
he platform his wishes will be respected.
It is the mission of Mr Hill TO urge Mr.
Bryan not 10 90 SO. In other words. Mr..
Hill has been put forward at this time as
he spokesman Of Chairman Jones, of ex
Governor Stone. Of Ex-Governor Altgeld.
md other Democratic leaders.
Mr. Bryan and Mr.. Hill have not met
:ince Mr.. Bryan's visit to "WoIfert's
2ocst' four years ago. Mr.. Hill, however,
turing all the four years. has been in con-
,tant communication with Bryan's frienGs.
Two years ago Hill received a letter from
Chairman Jones. In which Jones said it
was not absolutely necessary for the
Democrats OF New York State to say any
thing about the platform. Mr.. Hill has
been in close touch with Ex-Governor Alt
geld. of Illinois. Last fall Ex-Governor
.ltgeld made a speech to the Chicago plat
,orm Democrats of Albany Mr.. Hill did
rot attend the dinner but Mr.. Altgeld
waited over the next day and took a long
drive with Mr.. Hill Mr.. Hill then re.
terated to Mr.. Altgeld that he saw no
hope for the Democratic party SO long as it
,lung to a specific declaration for free sill |
yer at l6 to J..
Tammnay to Support the Ticket.
Since Croker's arrival he has declared
that no matter what the platform was and
no matter what the ticket was Tammany
with Mr.. Murphy. DR.. Crosby. of :he New
York Health Board, and James W. Boyle,
arrived here this morning at the same
time that Mr. Hill came.
hmm ediately after Hill had his inter |
view with Jones, and had taken the train
'or Lincoln, Mr.. Croker and Mr.. Murphy |
mad long talk with Chairman Jones. All |
declined to say anything about the inter |
view. There are many leaks though from
|, conference of this character and 1t may !
be stated positively that Jones, Croker. |
and Murphy all agree that Mr.. Bryan |
should be content with a rcaflirmation of |
the Chicago platform of 1886 without a |
specific declaration in favor of free silver |
It 16 to l.
Are you candidate for the Demo- |
cratic National Committee for New York" |
Mr. Croker was asked.
Il am not" the Tammany chieftain re- |
piled.
Whom do you favor. Mr.. Croker?'
well, Mr.. Murphy says that he does |
not care to take the place. responded |
Mr.. Croker, land l believe that the New |
York delegation will elect Norman E. |
Mack. of Erie County. Mack is a good
fellow and a good Democrat and he ia |
worthy the distinction.
what sort OF platform do you fayor?"
1--WE must await Developments | have
nothing to say on that subject now. hut
rammany will be loyal to the ticket and
D the platform. you may rest assured"
Frank Campbell and Elliot Danforth.
Chairman of the Democratic State Com
nittee of New York and Chairman of the |
Executive Committee, respectively, have |
,een hustling about all day long telling |
everybody the New York delegation would |
insist upon modification of the platform,
md that 1t had no candidate up to this
lour to present for Vice President.
Iamas n GnfYey nf ph dalnhin and ax- |