The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-30

Drift OF Democratic sentiment toward
Cleveland for the ST Louis nomination
has set in so strongly in several sec
tons Of the country that all calculations
as to the relative strength Of other can
didates among the Instructed delegates
have been for the time being. at least,
set aside by the political wiseacres.
This change Of sentiment is attributed
in no small measure to the discovery
that Senator German. who is admittedly
the slickest politician in the inner cir
Giles of the opposition to the Admins
tration, has confided TO his fellow-lead-
ers thai he will support the ex-Presi-
dent, in spite OF previous differences be-
tween them.
To Forget Past Differences.
Although the Maryland Senator
minces no words in admitting that
Cleveland IS personally Objectionable TO
him and has been his political enemy
for years. he has at the same time said
that under the circumstances il is the
duty OF a genuine Democrat to attempt
to nominate the man who can win.
After his careful survey of the field
German has declared his confidence that
Cleveland is the only man the Demo
~ ats tah name with any Possibility OF
winning the election. He bases this es-
innate on the belief that Cleveland could
carry not only New York. but New Jer-
sey, Connecticut. Maryland Delaware
Rhode Island. and possibly Massachu-
sets.
Anxious to Solidify Party.
The great problem with which the
leaders, at their recent conference here.
had TO deal was how TO make it clear
that the party has cut loose from Bryan
and at the same time make it possible
for the six or seven million Democrats
who supported Bryan in his two cam
paigns 10 support the nominee OF the ST
Louis convention.
German is likely to be chairman of
the committee on resolutions. and will
carry with him TO ST. Louis a well-de-
fined idea Of what the platform ought 70
be. On the money issue he knows he
VIII have to measure strength with
Bryan. and while Re is opposed to any
thing looking Ike a reaftirmation of the
Chicago and Kansas City platforms. he
does not think it would be wise TO make
| a fat declaration in favor of the gold
standard.
Wants Strong Platform.
| The Maryland leader believes the plat
| form should contain the statement that
the great production Of gold has settled
the money question and that the great
| commercial countries of the world have
adopted the gold standard. This would
/ be a recognition of the principle with
out being a declaration. There may be
! objections 10 even this from Southern
Senators and Representatives. who in
| sist on silence on the money question
/ but the Eastern leaders hope to over
como II.
The Democratic platform is, therefore
expected TO contain the two important
declarations of a reputation of Bryan.
| ism and n general denunciation OF the
I Roosevelt Administration. Taking these
/ two as the extremes, a middle ground
viii be sought on which 10 unite vOt.
/ ers. who object TO one or the other, anc
on which the rank and file of the Demo
cratic party can stand
Three Leading Planks.
| The prominent planks WILL in all like.
| lihood, be those relating 10 the tariff
the regulation of trusts, and the money
I standard