The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-30
BREEZY GEORGE FRED WILLIAMS
Adding to thu "Harmony'' by "knif-
fngv Hi and K G.. Cleveland.

KANSAS CITY, Mo-. June 29.-George
Fred Williams. member of the national
committee and delegate to the Democratic
convention from Massachusetts. arrived in
Kansas City to-day. Mr.. Williams has been
among those mentioned as a possible vice
residential candidate. but he says that,
having pronounced views and not being
afraid TO express them, makes 1t impossible
'or him to be considered in this connection.
He is by far the most breezy and unre-
served man that has yet appeared here. and
1e talks on every phase OF the situation.
without. however. committing himself or
he New England delegates on the vice
presidential situation. save to say that he
believes that Towne would be the strongest
nan that could be named with Bryan.
Mr.. Williams talked about ex-senator
Hill In a manner TO indicate his entire dis
appreciation of that gentleman. What Is
Hill coming here for?" he asked, and an
swered the query: For the sole and
avowed purpose of trying to secure a modi-
ication of the platform Of 1896. He ought
% be here In sackcloth and ashes instead
Of trying to tell us what we should do.
New York. with Hill as her leader, re-
III ~ NAA1 OAACoeO -
litter the majority had declared its will on
he platform. Now he comes here to say:
L will help YOU IL you do as / say II we
win he will say: i helped you IL we lose
ne will say: Il told you what TO do, and
you see the result / don't like that atti-
Jude. Croker and Murphy come here In a
iifferent spirit, willing to take the platform
that is made and abide by the result. 1t is
likely that Hill will not be so prominent
when Croker and Murphy take charge"
Mr.. Williams Is one OF the men who is
determined TO work for a specific declara-
lion for the ratio of Is to l I'm the platform.
He says there must be no deviation from
hat declaration
IF We were right IL 1896, why should We
change now? To simply reaffirm the Chi
cago platform is not sufficient. Nor would
II be enough to declare for bimetallism.
Every man could declare himself a bimetal-
list and place the ratio at Y TO or % TO 1;
TO suit his own ideas. all of which would
mean nothing. j do not believe this con-
yention will be satisfied with anything but
. specific 16-to-1 declaration. The morale
Of the party demands II. and If we were
right when we polled six and one-half mil
ion votes We Will be right In making the
declaration anew Mr.. Bryan could not
honorabIy stand on a platform that even by
Implication abandoned the great issue on
which the former campaign was fought.
We cannot write ourselves down as jack
asses or knaves in 1856 by leaving out the
Did ratio declaration"
Along this vein did Mr.. Williams discuss
the issues, and presently he turned his at
tention TO Grover Cleveland, whom he de-
nounced for throwing the weight of the
Democratic administration against the
Democratic ticket four years ago. ITO
make concessions now" he said. would
mean that Cleveland was right and the
greatest man In the Democratic party. J
DO not believe this convention will do Ii.
and when the delegates arrive IL will be
found that the movement Is not popular.
The men behind this movement are those
who want TO place the Democratic party
and Mr.. Bryan in a vacillating position like
the present administration. They want to
place Bryan on a par witt Mckinley, and
! say the Kansas City convention will not
do anything OF that kind"