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

| Importance, and says lie feels confident
that the New England delegates are
practically solid in that position. THE
free coinage of silver ut the ratio OF
1G to / was the touchstone of the con
vention in $780, he said to-day. "and
It's reiteration will add strength TO the
cause in the coming campaign"
James Kerr, n delegatc-at-large from
Pennsylvania and secretary of the
congressional campaign committee,
takes n somewhat different view, hut
he would not stop at a mere declara-
tion for the Chicago platform. He
holds that new conditions win make ii
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 1t on he H.
nances would be considered as invidl
Gus, and would result injuriously. He
would, however, not use the phrase IL
to l, but would declare for free coin
age at ''thc legal ratio"
1t is expected that the Silver Repub
lican party will ask TO be consulted up
on the question of the financial plank
The representatives of that party al
ready here express n strong preference
for n positive declaration for the OLD
ratio. I'VE want 16 to L." said former
Senator Dubois Of Idaho to-day, but
if they will put Towne on the ticket
with Bryan we will be willing to make
concessions on the money plank.
If. however, sucn n man as Hill Is
to be nominated, we want an iron-clad
silver platform. Thus you see" the
ex-senator added, "the personality of
the vice presidential candidate may
have a decided influence upon the plat
form and vice persa. Bryan and
Towne would be n platform in them
selves"
Mr.. Bryan's position. ms outlined by
those close in touch with kim is this:
He holds that the popularity of the
Democratic ticket in 1896 was due
largely to the positive position taken ON
the silver question, and that to take n
backward step Mt this time would he
an eveidence of faltering and would
weaken the ticket in its own strong
holds without Strengthening 1t 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 IL he should take any
other position, he would he accused or
vaccilatlon. and that. In short. every
things is TO be lost by making change
while nothing is TO be gained by 1t.
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 II pre-
posterous that the convention should
disregard his wishes on this point
Hence they contend with great conf
dence that whether the Chicago plat
form Is reatiirmed or not there will he
an unequiyocal prohouncement for the
old ratio.
For the rest. the resolutions win de-
nounce the gold standard and the Porto
1tlcan legislation OF the last session OF
Congress. II win condemn trusts in
unmeasurcd terms and at the same
time accuse the Republican party Of
fostering and maintaining them. The
administration viii come In for strong
ccnsure for It's policy In the Philip
pines, and It Will recommend that the
Philippine archipelago be placed on the
same footing ms Cuba. In the same
connection there will be planks de-
nouncing militarlsm and Imperialism.
ana there viii also be planks ON the In
come tax, good roads, civil service.
pensions, etc. and n strong resolution
OF sympathy with the Beers.