The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-29
THE PRESENT SITUATION
IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
If the Election Were Now to Take Place Mr..
Bryan Would be Chosen by De-
csive Plurality.
THERE HAS BEEN A GREAT CHANGE SINCE 1890

open convention. The Democratic
party is practically reunited now;
when the Kansas City convention
meets it will be absolutely united.
Not only have men like Mr. Hill
and Mr.. Croker who were silent in
1896, placed themselves earnestly in
support of Mr.. Bryan, but thousands
and thousands of gold Democrats"
in New York and o,ler Eastern States
who voted for Mckinley have return
ed to the party which stands for the
preservation of the Republic and OPP
poses military empire with colonies.
Men like John De Witt Warner are
heartily preparing to assist in the
election of Mr.. Bryan. Mr.. Bissell,
who was Mr.. Cleveland's law partner
and afterward Postmaster-General, is
ready to stump the State for Mr.. Bry-
an.
1t seems to be generally recognized
that the financial question is. for the
time being. removed from the sphere
of practical things. and that, while
the money plank of the Democratic
platform IS an important issue, as be-
tween political leaders, that question,
too. will disappear. and the whole
ell III VI IHC lJilb Will NC uCNotCo
to a vigorous war on trusts and a
defence of the Republic against the
Mckinley plan of military empire.
EASTERN DEMOCRATS NOW LOYAL.
Every one of the Eastern leaders to
whom | have talked has assured me
that he will heartily support Mr.. Bry-
an whether the platform of 1896 is re-
affirmed or not.
All the talk about Democratic
conspiracy" in the East to nominate
Admiral Dewey or to injure Mr.. Bry-
an is pure bosh. Mr.. Bryan is supreme
throughout the party. No man chal-
lenges his authority, no man seeks
his defeat.
The change which the brutal and
corrupt policy of the Mckinley Adj
ministration has wrought in politics
is almost without Il parallel in Am
erica.
Mr. Bryan has become platform
in himself, standing as he does for
honesty. decency. fairness, plain
speech and true Americanism as ops
posed to hypocrisy, corruption. dupli-
city. evasion, imperialism and shame
less servitude to trust domination.
Mr.. BRYAN has no choice for Vice
President: / can say that adVisedly.
No candidate for the second place has
yet organized sufficient strength to
be considered seriously. All seem to
be waiting for Mr.. Bryan 10 speak the
word. but | have been assured by Mr..
Bryan himself that he will not inter-
fere in any way.
WHAT THE POLL SHOWS.
The Journal has put the following
questions to members of the Demo
cratic National Committee and other
Democrats of prominence and intiu-
ence:
l. On what issues will the Democrats
wage the fight for President?
3 What change, if any. will be
made in the platform of 1896?
3. If Dewey runs as an Independent
candidate for President, what effect
will his candidacy nave on the Dem
ocratic party?
4. What do YOU think the Bryan
vote will be on the first ballot at
Kansas City?
5. Who is your choice for VicePres-
ident?
1t is seen by The answers already
received, many of which are publish
ed on this page, that Mr.. Bryan's NOM
lnation will be practically unanimous,
and that Admiral Dewey's candidacy
is not looked upon seriously, unless
he should draw a few thousand dis
gusted Republican voters from Mr..
Mckinley as an independent candi-
date.
sCHLEY FOR SECOND PLACE.
81
Schley for NicePresident, and one
speaks word for George Fred Will
liams. of Massachusetts; but those
who know Mr.. Williams are aware of
the fact that he desires to become
Attorney-General in President Bry
ans Cabinet, and will make no effort
to secure the second place on the tick
ct. Only three men admit that the
Chicago platform may be altered. and
they are from trust-ridden States
Mr.. Campbell. of New York; Mr. Bak-
er, of New Jersey; Mr.. Kenney, of
Delaware.
The truth is that every leader i'll
the Democratic party, no matter what
State he lives in. knows that the plat
form of 1896 will be reaffrmed. and
that a simple reaftirmation without
opposition is probably the easiest way
of letting the free silver question pass
into the background where it belongs.
Elliot Danforth, who Is likely to be
the next Democratic candidate Tor
Governor of New York. and who sup
ported Mr.. Bryan and the Chicago
platform in 1896. expresses The aver
age and prevailing opnion of The
whole party when he Essays:
In the last Presidential contest
financial issues We're most prominent.
As a result of a foreign war new ma
tional questions are occupying the at
tention of the people. Republicanism
directs us toward military imperialism
and financial and industrial concen-
tration.'
JAMES X. JONES,
Chairman of National Committee.
!. A reaffirmation of the Chicago