St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-07-04
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.

anu IL 10 hBpdI Gillly III dS illuNh hOuL
as it was when the delegates to the ma
tional Democratic convention wer
chosen. There was a shifting of tn
scene yesterday when Benjamin F
Shively of Indiana was taken out of tn
race by an emphatic statement to tn
Indiana delegation. AS the contes
stands, after Shively's retirement, TIL
two leading candidates seem to b.
Charles A Towne and William Sulzer
with some man from New York, like
Judge Van Wyck or Elliott Danforth
as a possibility under certain contin-
gencies.
The fact is that the vice presidential
situation is interviewer with the plat
form If there is a simple reaffirma-
ton of the Chicago platform some New
York man may be selected for the vice
presidential nomination, in the hope that
he will assist in carrying that state.
If there is a specific declaration for 16
to l, then ToWne may be made Bryan's
running mate.
1t is conceded by all the Democratic
leaders that Towne's strength is in the
west and on a silver platform, and that
he would not be strong in the east on a
modified platform.
New York is still an uncertain guam
tity in the field. It is still asserted that
she has no candidate, although there is
more genuine activity in the Suzer can
vass thatn any other that is being made.
Mr. Sulzer is not the candidate of New
l., ,1.s,,. l..
side Of that delegation. That the dele
cation, under favorable conditions. such
as concessions in the platform, would
unite on some other man seems to be
perfectly understood but it would I'M
doubtedly be brought about by a move
ment from outside the state. Whether
the convention would unite on Danforth
or Van Wyck is 47oertain, because of
the personality OF Hill There is yet a
great deal Of talk about the ex-senator
in connection with the vice presidential
nomination, and in case of modified
platform he might be rushed upon the
convention. AT the same time it is
we'll understood that his selection would
not be satisfactory to Mr.. Bryan, less
satisfactory perhaps than the other
New York men mentioned
The arrival Of the Nebraska delega-
ton, fresh from conference with their
leader was mainly Instrumental in
showing Mr.. Bryan's attitude. They
We're hardly off the cars before they met
in caucus and formally put forward a
declaration of principles. This ex-
pressed "unalterable opposition to any
surrender of the principles of bimetal-
ism and a demand for a financial plank
making a specific pledge for the free and
unlimited coinage of gold and silver at
the ratio of 1G to l, independently of what
any other nation may do"
The resolution was accepted as little
short of notice to other delegations as
to the sentiment of men very near to
Mr. Bryan. Some of them had just left
him, and Judge Tibbets, head of the
delegates at-large, dined with Mr..
Bryan and Governor Hill at Lincoln
Sunday night THE platform must be
straight out for 16 to j. there is no ques.-
ton as to that" said Judge Tibbets. A
like view was expressed by r. L. Met
calf, who will represent Nebraska on
the platform committee.
Cato Sells, chairman of the Iowa dele
cation. who spent three hours closeted
with Mr.. Bryan, said, when told of the
movement to have Mr. Bryan agree to
the elimination of specific plank in the
platform calling for the free coinage of
silver at the ratio of 16 to l:
Il talked over the whole situation with
Mr.. Bryan and | have not the slightest
hesitancy in saying that the gentlemen
who have gone to Lincoln with the idea
of getting Mr.. Bryan to hedge on the
proposition of 16 to will do nothing but
go up the hill and come down again.
know exactly what l am saying when /
tell you that there is not the slightest
chance in the world to get Mr.. Bryan to
accept any evasion or abridgement of
the l6 to proposition He will run on a
platform containing that plank, or he
will not run at all. l am positive that
there will be no fight against the 16 to /
plank which will compel Mr.. Bryan to
change his attitude"
Quite different view of the matter
was taken by Thomas Gahan, national
committeeman from Illinois. He said,
when told Of the attitude of Mr.. Bryan:
We do not want 16 to plank in the
platform, and we will not have it there
If We can help it. A reaffirmation of the
silver plank In the platform adopted
Tour years ago covers the ground
amply"
The return of Senator Hill without
tangible result which he was willing to
disclose, made it plain that his confer
ence with Mr.. Bryan at Lincoln had
come to naught, and it served also to
emphasize the general feeling that Mr..
Bryan would not tolerate any temporiz-
ing on the platform. The senator came
back from Lincoln on the car with the
Nebraska delegation, mngling with
them and exchanging views. But there
was no evidence of the slightest sym
pathy among them for him as the COM
panion of Bryan on the ticket
But the developments of Mr.. Bryan's
influence over the convention and his
unwavering insistence on 16 to ! has
created a curious counter movement.
The leaders want no surrender Of sill.
yer, neither are they seeking immolation
at this one altar. They seek a com
promise, concession and such a harmon
izing that all sections can be brought
together. AS result of this strong and
growing sentiment, definite and urgent
representations have been made to Mr
Bryan In the interest of harmony and