The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-04
CONFERENCE OF THE THREE PARTIES.
Agreement Reached to Declare for Silver at
the Historic Ratio.
(By the Associated Press. J

Kansas City, Mo-, July "a conference
of the three political parties was held
at the Kansas City Club today From
the Democratic party there were Jones,
of Arkansas; Tillman, of South Carolina;
Croker, of New York Johnson, of Kan
sas; from the Popuists there were Ed
mission, of Nebraska; Weaver, of Iowa;
Pettigrew, of South Dakota: Allen, of
Nebraska, and Heitfeld of Idaho, and of
the Silver Republicans there were Teller.
of Colorado; Dubois of Idaho; Newland
of Nevada. There were other represen-
tatives of the different parties present.
The object of the meeting was to form
the basis of an agreement between the
three allied parties as to a vice-presi-
Dental candidate.
The conference settled as definitely as
it was possible for q few representative
men TO settle anything in advance, that
the platform should contain positive and
specific declaration for free coinage at
16 to /, but there was no equally posi-
tive development in the vice presidential
situation.
The meeting lasted from II O'Clock
until las, and was marked with great
earnestness. The entire exchange of
views was upon the two questions of the
financial plank of the platform and the
selection of a man for second place on the
ticket, the latter question receiving the
greatest share of attention because it Of
fered the most obstacles.
The Silver Republicans and Popuists
were quite agreed in pressing the can
didacy of Mr.. Towne for the vice-presi-
dency and also in urging the necessity
fnr
of the Democrats placed themselves in
the attitude of men whom it was neces
sary to win over. All proved good listen
ers and some of them voluble takers
On the question of platform, Mr.. John
son (Dem., Kan.), made the only notable
declaration. He said that he was willing
to accept a positive declaration for the
historic ratio if it were insisted upon but
that he thought it would be good politics
to leave it out. He thought that with
this omission more of the Germans would
vote the ticket. Others, including Mr..
Croker, said that they were also willing
that the declaration should be made spe-
ciic. Mr.. Croker expressed the opinion
that the New York Democrats would vote
for Bryan regardless of the platform dec
laration. Asked if he considered that
York with any platform, he replied that
there was no certainty; that the prob
abilities were in the opposite direction,
but that it was impossible to say at this
date what effect the injection of the new
issues of the past few years would have
upon the result
There was really no dissent from the
opinion that the Is to declaration should
be made The Democratic representatives
generally expressed the opinions that a
month ago the declaration was not neces-
sary, but they assented to the demand
on the ground that popular clamor
now makes it necessary. All agreed after
the conference in saying that the specific
declaration will be made. There was a
very spirited talk over the vice-presi-
dency in which all participated more or
less. Mr.. Clayton, of Alabama. held out
strenuously for Democrat. "a man who
had the Democratic brand upon him." He
Continued on Fourteenth Page)