Evening star., 1901-07-17
Judge Boyd Talks on tho Divisions
Among Democrats.
REPUBLICANS MAY MAKE GAINS
Situation in the South Favorable
to Them.
NJ R. TOW MES VIEW S

Judge Boyd Of North Carolina has been
cussing politics with his friends says that
while he is not actively engaged in poll
tics he cannot be oblivious Of the situation
in his state, which he pronounces to be
favorable to the republicans.
THE democratic party is badly split up
he said. 1.-The Bryanites and the anti-silver
men flying at each others throats already.
I don't know how they will be by the time
the next election comes of If they keep
up their warfare at the present rate.
THE same thing seems to be going on all
over the south, however, SO far as I can
observe, and it seems to me that the demo-
cratic party is seriously divided in many
of the states Of that section. All indica-
tions point to a widening Of the breach
rather than its healing.
In North Carolina I would not be sur
prised to see the election Of four or five
republican representatives in Congress at
the next congressional elections. The reap
portionment of the state has made several
close districts, and unless great change
comes over the prospects as they now ap-
pear the democrats will stand good
chance to lose some Of them"
Divisions Among Democrats.
From every section come reports Of di-
visions among the democrats over the sil-
yer question, and to political observers it
seems evident that the fight between the
Bryanites and the reactionists is proceed
ing vigorously.
Following closely upon Mr. Bryan's pro-
nunciamento, based on the action of the
Ohio convention, that the silver cause must
be upheld constantly, comes q statement
from Charles A. Towne of Minnesota to
the contrary, which is very significant Of
the threatened rift in the silver organiza-
tion. Mr.. Towne has been recognized as q
champion Of silver and original Bryan man
up to this time
His friends in Washington have known
for some time that he favored going slow
ly with the silver issue in the next cam
paign and not pressing it in the face Of
other paramount issues" When in Wash
ington several days ago he expressed no
dissatisfaction with the omission of the
silver plank from the platform Of the Ohio
convention, although his leader did.
Mr.. Towne's Utterances.
In New York yesterday Mr.. Towne. in
an interview with Herald reporter, ex-
pressed some very vigorous sentiments
upon the subject. in part as follows:
Free silver as an issue Is absolutely
dead in the west. do not believe it will
be mentioned in the democratic platform
Of campaign Of 1904. The feeling among
democrats in the west is that they want to
win, and they do not care rap what kind
or platform they nave so long as II brings
victory
Il believe that the platform adopted by
the next democratic national convention
will be reactionary. expect to see David
B. Hill nominated for President, and
would not be at all surprised If Mr. Bryan
should lead a faction composed Of the ele-
ments which still uphold the principles Of
the Chicago and the Kansas City plat
forms. There is strong feeling in the
west in favor of the nomination of Mr..
Hill or some other man from the east. The
democrats there are tired of defeat, and
the drift Is toward the adoption Of plat
form which will ignore the issues Of the
last two presidential campaigns.
I'VE were misunderstood in our attitude
toward free silver in 1896 and 1900. What
we wanted was more money in circulation,
SO that prices might be kept up. We were
not fighting for market for the product
of the silver mines at higher prices for sill
ver There has been enormous increase
In the supply Of gold and there Is more
money in the country today than there
would have been had the stock Of gold re-
mained stationary and had the mints been
opened to free silver coinage.
"While the supply Of gold continues to
increase as it has been increasing lately
there can be no serious or successful de-
mand for free silver"
"What do you think Of Mr.. Bryan's con-
demnation Of the platform adopted by the
Ohio democrats?" was asked.
II am glad that he has spoken as he did"
said Mr.. Towne. ut was what I expected.
He Is loyal to his principles and he is not
an easy man to silence, but l do not be-
lieve that he can ever again be the presi-
Dental candidate Of a united party"