Evening star., 1901-07-11
Significance of the Ohio Democrats
Action.
CHANGE OF ATTITUDE ON FREE SILVER
Indications That Other Conven-
tions Will Do the Same.
TO BRYANISM

Politicians are inclined to regard with
considerable interest the attitude Of the
Ohio democracy toward Bryanism, demon
strated in the state convention at Colum-
bus yesterday. In many quarters the action
of the convention Is regarded as very sig
nifcant. 1t is taken to indicate the crys-
taliZation of the sentiment that has been
growing in many states, promising break
ing away Of the eastern democracy from
the populistic domination Of the west
Ohio is the first state in which the demo-
cratic vote is of Importance in a national
election to hold a democratic convention
since Mr.. Bryan's defeat in November
This, therefore, is the first recording of the
changing opinion of the democracy that is
popularity supposed to be taking place.
Formerly Strong for Free Silver.
The action is all the more radical in view
of the fact that the Ohio democrats in 1897
adopted verbatim the silver plank of the
national convention Of 1896. The free and
unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio of
16 to 1. without waiting for the consent
of any other nation, was made a specific
declaration of the platform of 1897. The
Ohio democracy went into the fray after
that with divided ranks. and received a
sound thrashing that opened the eyes of
the leaders
Then they worried along for while.
fighting among themselves over an issue
which many Of the older heads thought
should be dropped like a hot potato. In
the meantime the republicans were getting
closer together along lines that seemed to
receive the Endorsement of the commercial
element of the state. and which, indeed,
were rousingly indorsed at the polls last
November Then came the republican con-
vention of last month, with a display OF
harmony, organization and thorough unity
of hitherto conflicting interests that was
rfIl obi tn he CT ed
democracy
Before this. however. there had been in
dications that the strong men Of the demo-
cratic party were dissatisfied with their
platform and were likely to demand new
issues. At the same time 1t was considered
necessary to keep hold on the granger
element of the state and not to abandon
entirely their populistic friends. So, in the
interest of those factions, Tom Johnson's
franchise tax scheme was taken under ia
vorable consideration and was accepted as
a good card
The remarkable demonstration Of the
convention of hostility to Bryanism was, 1t
Is thought, a reputation Of free silver, the
issue that had alienated such large pro-
portion of the German vote Of the state to
which the democrats hitherto have always
catered. With the exception OF the studied
neglect Of free silver 1t cannot be pointed
out that the convention adopted anything
which Mr. Bryan would not favor and
most of its planks he has heretofore ex-
pressed himself as advocating, in effect if
not in words.
May Follow OhfO's Lead.
There are strong indications in many di-
rections that other democratic conventions
will follow the lead of Ohio and rebuke the
Nebraska leader. In the south there is an
undertow of opinion that Is likely to make
itself felt distinctly inimical to Bryanism,
as the term Is understood In that section.
Animosity to populism is it's strongest
characteristic. and resentment Is enter
tained toward Mr.. Bryan for encouraging
the unification of populist and democratic
interests.
In the Virginia constitutional convention
the other day they overwhelmingly voted
down proposition to invite the Nebraskan
to address the convention. In North Caro-
lima and South Carolina he has lost ground.
Georgia, 1t is believed, will not "stand for
his extreme views much longer, while Ala
bama Is out OF touch.
|. Awaiting Coming Conventions.
The principal interest in the situation,
however, will center in the action Of the
democratic conventions Of the border states
and the middle western states within the
next two years, together with New York
and Connecticut. Maryland, West Virginia
and Kentucky. Indiana, Illinois and
Michigan will have to speak before the
democratic party will be aligned upon new
issues that may indicate in some degree
the trend Of opinion forming for the next
presidential campaign.
Many democrats think that the final
struggle between the free silver advocates
and those who would abandon that issue
will not come until the national convention
meets; that the west q portion of the
south and possibly one state Of the middle
west may remain true to Bryanism and go
to the convention prepared for a battle to
the death.
But there is no doubt in any ones mind
that the action of the Ohio state convention
has set lively pace. very early in the
race. and that the running will be interest
ing from this time forward.