Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-04

the platform is being conducted with great
vigor, Notwithstanding the assertion that
Bryan will not consent to run on plat
form which departs from his views on any
OF the main issues. At the meetings of the
state delegations last night there was an
extraordinary disposition to disregard
Bryan's wishes with respect to ''16 to l."
fhe night was one Of great excitement and
hard work among the contending leaders.
Delegation after delegation having declared
against the insertion of the figures 10 to
l. the opponents of the ratio are express
ing strong hope that they will be able to
get control of the resolutions committee
and amend the platform to their liking 1t
Is hardly worth while to speculate as to
what will happen if they should succeed in
this, but If the convention itself should
fail to sustain Bryan's position 1t is not the
least probable thing that he would decline
to accept the nomination and that there
would be a general breakup, silver being
turned over to the safekeeping of the silver
republicans and populists. who are sure to
nominate Bryan on a platform which will
be acceptable to him. 1t is hardly to be
presumed, however. that the democratic
convention cannot be held true to Bryan.
The most probable outcome will be that tie
fight against Bryan through opposition to
the platform will so unite the tried and
true" Bryan men that they will refuse to
regard the wishes Of the conservatives in
any respect and will, after carrying the
platform declaration in favor of 16 to 1.
in the name of the east and nominate one
as radical in his views Bryan himself.
Effect on Towne's Chances.
Everything that serves to loosen the ties
between the conservatives and the Bryan
democracy renders more probable the selec-,
ton of Towne for Vice President in spite
of the southern prejudice against his for
mer political associations. There is a very
earnest determination on the part of
strong element among the democrats not
to permit the nomination of Towne IL they
can help 1t, and they will consent to the
nomination only when they are convinced
that they have nothing to look for from the
east this fall and must place their entire
reliance upon what strength they can de-
velop through the triple alliance in the
west. AS general proposition, the demo-
Gratis are turning from one candidate to
poses as to avoid the necessity of nomi-
mating Towne. Last night boom waa
started for Stevenson, who was Vice Presi-
dent during Cleveland's second term, and
the opposition to Towne was very hopeful
of being able to gather strength enough for
him to insure his nomination.
The Movement for Danforth.
Until yesterday morning there had been
no effort to unite on candidate for the
vice presidency in opposition to Towne.
The opposition to the nomination of a man
who has not always been a democrat is in
tense among some OF the southern delegates,
though no one of the silver democrats OBJ
5ects to Towne on any other ground than
that he is not an avowed democrat If the
opposition to him based on this prejudice
were organized It would be strong enough
to render his nomination impossible, for the
reason that many of the democrats of the
South who are really in favor of his nomi-
nation are afraid to stand UP for their
preference OH account OF the feeling against
populism which exists in the south. While
Towne is not q populst, the populists have
nominated him. and southern democrats
who favor him are timid about being ac-
cused of voting for the candidate of the
populsts. This objection applies to Bryan
as we'll us to Towne but is offset by the
fact that Bryan's nomination by the demo-
Gratis was a foregone conclusion before the
poplists nominated him, and he stands for
regular democracy. His nomination by the
populists appears to the extremists in
like getting grass stains on a planters
white duck trousers.
The movement to unite on Danforth IA n
utilization of the forces organized to re-
sist Bryan IN the matter of 1G to /. A
fight for the nomination Of Darforth NAV
take the place OF open contest in the
convention over the platform Tho plan is
II possible, to unite New York. New Jersey
Pennsylvania. West Virginiu and Indiana
on Danforth and then appeal to the socth to
support him.
Conference of the AiItes
A conference between democratic leaders
and the Representatives OF the popuIists
and silver republicans was held yesterday,
lasting from II O'Clock until nearly pm,