The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-13
BEFORE OTHER CONVENTIONS.
DEMOCRATS MAY MEET AHEAD OF
THE REPUBLCANS.


1t Is Also Desired to Anticipate the
POpulists-Sqggesti Is Said to
Have Come From GOrmnn-Bryan
Was in Conference With Him in
WashingtOn-As Roosevelt Has De-
cIined, WoIcOtt is Now Suggested
for Vice Presidency.
Washington. Feb. 12.-Before Mr.. Bryan
left Washington last Saturday, he held an
important conference with some of the
Democratic leaders, and it was decided
that the Democratic National Convention
should be held prior 10 the Republican con-
vention or the convention to be held by
what remains of the Populist party.
1t is understood that Mr.. Bryan is anx-
ious that the party of which he is the
acknowledged standard bearer should take
the field announce its platform and pre-
pare for the national conflict before his
political rivals formally declare their cam
paign intentions. He is particularly anx-
ious to anticipate the action of the Popu-
list party, which he fears may be guilty
of political indiscretions, which may in
jure the cause he so zealously and earn
estly champions.
Mr.. Bryan did not confine his consulta-
tions while in Washington to the free sill
yer Democrats, but he also applied to
some of the shrewdest and most Influential
members of the gold standard wing of the
Democratic party. 1t is known that he
called at the residence of former Senator
German, the recent Democratic leader
in the Senate, and was in Sc
cret conference with that gentleman
more than an hour. It was after consult
ing Mr.. German that Mr.. Bryan impressed
upon his political friends the Importance
of holding the Democratic Convention at
date several weeks in advance of that al
ready fixed for holding the Republican
National Convention. 1t is possible that
this move was suggested by Mr.. German,
and to-day the subject has been freely dis
cussed by the Democratic leaders in both
be general sentiment. in favor of the
proposition which is regarded as a wise
and tactful display of political strategy
Kansas City Wants 1t.
Notwithstanding the assertion by certain
members of the Democratic National Com
mittee that, at a recent conference held
in Chicago, it was decided practically 10
hold the Democratic National Convention
in Milwaukee, there seems to be disposi-
ton to rescind that action and locate the
site of the Bryan convention elsewhere.
Kansas City, Mo-, has put forward a very
attractive bid FOR the privilege of enter
tanning the Democratic hosts, and the
members of the Missouri delegation are TO-
night claiming with apparent confidence
that they will be able TO wrest the prize
from New York, Milwaukee, Chicago, or
oil ffavs oil w md
bility.
Senator Jones, chairman of the Demo-
cratic National Committee. and his asso-
ciates, who participated in deliberations
with Mr. Bryan, decline to discuss the
subject and assert that whatever was said
or done in that direction during Mr.. Bry
ans recent yisit to this city was of a
strictly confidential nature, and cannot
properly be divulged at this time.
WOIcOtt and Vice Presidency.
Another political incident of more than
ordinary political significance was devel-
oped in the Senate to-day by the fierce ar
raignment of Mr.. Bryan and his free sill
yer followers by Senator Wolco5t of Colo
rado, the Republican champion of bimetal
lism. 1t is said that Mr. Wolcott forced
the Republicans in the Senate to propose
an amendment to the financial bill, now
pending, providing for the recognition Of
bimetallism under certain conditions by
the Republican party. At the conclusion
of Senator Wolcotts speech, it was freely
asserted at the Capitol that Senator VOL
colt hopes to be put forward as the vice
presidential candidate on. the ticket with
President Mckinley, as the representative
of the blmetallic wing of the Republican
party. Gov. Roosevelt of New York hav-
ing put himself out of the race by pub
licly declining to become Mr.. McKinleys
running mate in the next campaign, Some
of the Republican managers declared it
would be a clever political move TO recog-
nize the Republicans of the far West by
naming Senator Wolcott for the vice pres
idency.