New-York tribune., 1900-07-01
BRYAN AND HIS FRIENDS.
WHAT DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL. CONyEN-
TIoN WILL PROBABLY DO.
EFFORT TO sIDETRACK SILVER ISSUES
VIEWS OF JUDGE VAN WICK. CHARLES
A. TowNE AND AMOS J.
CUMMINGS.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

resolute effort will he made by the delegates
from large number Of Eastern and Western
States to the Democratic National Convention
20 secure the adoption of platform which, while
formally reaffirming the Chicago platform of
1895 will not treat Of it in detail. The Demo-
cratic party. under this leadership, would mini
Inze the 16 10 l issue and magnify such issues
as trusts" and imperialism"
Whether Mr.. Bryan will consent TO any less
emphasis being put the 16 to l dogma is
doubtful. Certainly Charles A. Towne the
Silver Republican who was nominated for Vice
President by the Populist National Convention
after Mr.. Bryan nominated for President
by the same Convention, will not.
Nj Towne arrived here to-day and said when
asked whether not the Silver Republicans
would be satisfied with a simple reafirmation
by the Convention of the Chicago platform:
Yes We will accept an honest reafirmation of
the Chicago platform, but no attempts to evade
the free silver issue I recognize that there is
a fight against free silver by the same crowd of
Democrats who opposed it four years ago; but
know, too, that this opposition cannot pos
sibly win"
Mr. Towne is clearly anxious to be nominated
for Vice-President His name is to be presented
10 the Democratic National Convention in a
formal way by a conference committee appoint
ed by the Silver Republican Convention Mr.
Towne said to-day. when asked about his candi-
OdCE lOI NlCt-E itSiuSnl. II L ala not think /
would get more votes for the Democratic ticket
as running mate for Bryan than any other
man I would not be a candidate. I think that
next 10 Mr.. Bryan I am the foremost representa-
tive Of the principles for which the Democratic
party stands"
Mr Towne so far the platform is con-
cerned. however. clashes with ex-Judge Angus
tus Ven wyck. Of New-York, who arrived here
this evening from Springfield, in this State Mr.
fz tho %
at-large to arrive his fellow delegates -at-Iarge
David B. Hill Edward Murphy jr and Richard
Croker, are understood to be on their way here
As candidate Of the Democratic party for
Governor Of New-York in 1898 Mr.. Van wyck
attracts a good deal of attention.
WHAT JUDGE VAN WICK SAYS.
When asked about the platform tonight he
said I think the platform Of 1896 should be
smoothed down by this National Convention
There is an abundance Of live issues, and they
should be brought to the front I consider also
that the Democrats Of the country can be united
easier upon new issues than upon old ones. and
that they are eager to adopt new line of bat
tie.
In my judgment. every true American has
reason to be alarmed over the policy of imperial
ism adopted by the Republican party. 1t is so
easy for a nation TO fall into the habit of plac-
Ing garrisons in possessions and continue
10 hold these new possessions as though they
were conquered provinces. Mind you 1 do not
say I am opposed 70 expansion. for our country
for years has been expanding.
What I am opposed TO is the attempt to make
Porto Rico foreign country by imposing a
tariff upon its people. It should be treated as
our Territories are treated. So also with the
Philippines We should not adopt imperial
policy with them. Let US have commercial ex-
pansion. Let US encourage our trade with
China, but do not let us take any part in the
partition Of that country.
Il think our country is in a condition of great
peril from the imperial policy adopted by the
Republican party, and that it is the duty Of the
Democrats to unite and rescue II from that
peril and I sure there is a disposition
fhe part OF Democrats to harmonize their differ
ences and that we shall not have much trouble
il reaching agreement upon our candidates /
for President and Vice President and upon our
party platform"
who is New-Yorks candidate for vice-Presi-
dent?" asked.
"She has none" answered Judge Van Wyck, !
"and l DO not believe she will have any. She |
comes to this Convention in very modest |
spirit TO offer suggestions regarding the plat (
form and candidates. but not TO press them in |
an imperative fashion"
Yorks support for Vice President are thus
heartlessly crushed by Mr. Van Wyck. Mr..
Suffers candidacy is laboring under the painful /
disadvantage Of being considered farcical No
one except himself appears to take his candi- !
oacy seriously. Even Mr.. Bryan is reported TO !
have discouraged his ambition.
LESS TALK OF HILL
David B. Hill has been less talked Of as a
candidate for Vice-P President since he clearly /
made it known that he does not desire the NOM
anation. Nevertheless, the Tammany Hall poll !
ucians he-- seem to think they must assan him !
Amos J. Cummings, who arrived here to-day /
said this morning: Il do know positively that /
Croker win never consent to the nomination of
Eli for Nice-President. My understanding or
what is called the Hill boom is that 1t was /
started by Norman E Mack joke. There is
really nothing to the Hill boom. Croker is com
ing with definite plan Croker is unqual- !
hedly in favor OF Bryan. / think he has no par !
ucular choice for Vice President, but will be /
governed after he gets here by circumstances /
croker is honestly and sincerely for Bryan, ana I
the action Of Tammany in the Convention Will /
pe governed by the wishes of Bryan Ii Bry an an
has choice for Vice-President Tammany VIII !
De for that choice"
viii Tammany be in favor Of a strong free |
SILVER plank IN the PLATFORM
think Tammany viii be IN favor OF the /
acOptiOn Of the Chicago platform know posi- /
1IVey that there is no conspiracy on the part OF
tae New-York delegation against free silver.
old not even hear rumors of SUCH a conspiracy
lil ! reached here"
A majority Of the Indiana delegates have re- |
solved tc aid David r. Hill in his effort 10 shelve
me lG 20 I plank Of the Democratic party IN /
1896. Three Of the deIega ates-st-large OF Indiana
&C. Y. Menzies Hugh Dougherty and James /
Nurdoch--arTived here this evening MI. |
AenZtes, who is the chairman Of the oeIe8auoh /
said.
The Democratic platform must be recon
hruCted Il made the money question the para
mount issue, but that is no longer the issue OF
Greatest importance. Then IL praised the az
Inluistration Of Pension Commissioner LochIeIi;
since Jlen Mr.. LochTen has been retired anu
ME Evans has taken his place, and we 90 not
think the Evans administration a good one /
Thirdly the platform Of 1896 praised the WI (
son tariff Jaw That tariff has been succeed