The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-07-02
SIXTEEN TO ONE.
The Platform WIN Contain Specific
Declaration.


Kansas City, Mo-, July 1.-The plat
form to be adopted by the Democratic
national convention viii contain a dec
laration for the free coinage of silver at
the ratio of 16 to unless Mr.. Bryan
changes his attitude and each fresh ar
rival from Lincoln brings renewed as
surance that the fore-ordained nominee
of the convention Is maintain ng his po-
sition in favor OF the declaration.
However, while it is true the indica-
tions point strongly to the specific utter
ance above outlined, there is still very
determined opposition to such course.
This opposition apparently originated
with former Senator Hill of New York
and his following and it has been taken
up by other leaders in various sec5lohs
of the country. The Tammany interest,"
of New York appears to be entirely recon
ciled to any silver plank, however ex-
IRENE, but other factions unite IN oppos-
ing it. Senator James X. Jones, chair
man Of the national comm ittee, ana OK
Gov. Stone of Missouri, both of them rec
ognized as staunch leaders Of the silver
sentiment, are of the opinion that a re-
affirmation of the Chicago platform Is
all that is necessary. Many Southern
delegates express themselves as ind1Her-
emit on the point and are inclined TO
make the concession demanded by the
Hill sentiment.
On the other hand, George Fred VIII
liams announces that he considers the
financial question still of the greatest
Importance and says that he feels that
New England Democrats are practically
solid in that position.
James Kerr, a delegate at large from
Pennsylvania, and secretary of the con-
gressional committee, would not use the
phrase is to 1, but would declare for free
coinage at 1.-THE legal ratio.
It is expected that the Silver Republic
can party will ask to be consulted upon
the question of the financial plank.
The representatives of that party already
here express a strong preference for a po-
sitive declaration for the old ratio.
MIR. Bryan's position as outlined by
those in touch with him, is this: He
holds that the popularity of the Demo-
cratic ticket in 1896 was due very large
" to the positive position taken on the
silver question and to take backward
step at this time would be an evidence Of
faltering and would weaken the tickeU
in it's own strongholds without strength
ening it where there Is no hope of win
ming. He even goes so far as to say that
he regard the platform of more impor-
tance than the ticket.
Those who agree with Mr.-Bryan con-
tend with great confidence that whether
the Chicago platform is re-atfirmed or
not, there will be an unequivocal pro-
nOuncement Of the old ratio The plat
form also viii denounce the gold standard
and the Porto Rico legislation Of the last
session of Congress. 1t Will condemn
trusts in unmeasured terms and at the
same time accuse the Republican par
ty of fostering and maintaining them.
The administration win also come in
for strong censure for it's policy in the
Philippines and it will be recommended
that the Philippine archipelago be placed
upon the some footing as Cuba.
In the same connection there win be
planks denouncing militaryism and i'm
perialism and there win also be planks
on the income tax, good roads civil SER
vice, pensions, etc., and a strong resolu-
ton of sympathy with the Beers.