New-York tribune., 1900-07-03
BRYAN AND HILL CONFER
Continued from First Page.

tion would be conciliated. 1t was stated that the
concession asked made victory possible, while
without IT the campaign would be hard one.
Many leaders were mentioned as having
acquiesced in or signed the letter TO Bryan.
James Kerr Of the delegates from Pennsyl-
vania, who set out for Lincoln last night. ac-
eompanied by ex-Congressman Mutchler and
another Pennsylvania delegate, is said to have
carried the letter to Lincoln. 1t reported
that this letter signed by or approved by
Senator Jones, Ex-Governor Stone. ]. G. John
son. James Guffey and D. ]. Campau. all MEM
bers of the National Committee and members OF
the Executive Committee. Most OF these men
said they had not signed such letter, but there
was intimation from q trustworthy quarter
that some such movement was on foot and that
the views of some OF these were laid before
Mr. Bryan in way TO indicate that they be-
lieved II would be better policy to reafirm the
Chicago platform and not insist upon the spe-
ciic declaration for 16 70 /. The impression pre-
walls that the leaders not likely to meet with
much encouragement In such a movement,
especially in view Of the action Of the Nebraska
delegation. which declared explicitly to-day for
the old ratio
Cato Sells, chairman Of the Iowa delegation.
who spent three hours closeted with Mr Bryan
yesterday, said tonight when told OF the move
ment to have Mr.. Bryan agree to the elimina
ton Of a specific plank in the platform calling
for the free coinage Of silver at the ratio of 16
to i: L talked over the whole situation with
Mr.. Bryan. and 1 nave not the slightest hes
itancy in saying that the men who have gone
TO Lincoln with the idea OF getting MI Bryan
TO hedge on the proposition OF 16 to ! Will do
nothing but go Up the hill and come down again.
I know exactly what l saying when tell
you that there is not the slightest chance in the
world TO get Mr.. Bryan TO accept any evasion
or abridgement OF the 16 to l proposition. He
will a platform containing that plank
or he viii not run at all. positive that
there will be fight against the 16 TO 1 plank
which VIII compel Mr.. Bryan to change his atti-
tude There is nothing in the world that will
have the power to do that. This is absolutely
certain, and all those men who try anything to
the contrary are simply wasting their time and
efforts"
Quite different view of the matter was taken
by Thomas Cahan. National Committeeman
fudge Of Mr.. Bryan:
We DO not want 16 to plank in the plat
form, and we will not have It there If can
help II. A reafiirnation Of the silver plank in
the platform adopted four years ago covers the
ground amply"
Judge A. S. Tibbets. of Lincoln chairman of
the Nebraska delegation said that II could be
accepted as positive that Mr.. Bryan would not
be candidate unless the platform contained q
specific declaration in favor Of silver at 16 to
J. He cannot do it, and he will not do it,
said Judge Tibbets. He has always held the
position in favor OF 10 to l, and his views have
been understood all the time. The different
State delegations have been instructed for him
minute he cannot stultify himself by accepting
candidacy based upon any other platform.
However there will be no question Of that kind
calling for solution. The who have gone
not be moved from his position under any cir
cumstances."