Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 August 1899 — DEMOCRATS TO ACT EARLY. [ARTICLE]

DEMOCRATS TO ACT EARLY.

May Hold National Convention in February or March, 1900. The next Democratic convention may be held as early as February and not later than March, 1900. A Chicago dispatch says that sentiment among party leaders has been crystallizing in favor of an early convention, and it may find expression -at a meeting of the national committee, which will be held in Washington very soon after Congress convenes in December. Ex-Governor Stone of 'Missouri, as acting chairman of the committee and probable manager of the campaign of 1900, is the originator of the plan for holding the convention in February or March. The underlying motive for holding an early convention is to enable the men who will have to shoulder the responsibility of conducting next year’s battle, to raise money. By holding the conclave in February or March, nominating Mr. Bryan for President, selecting a running mule for him and adopting a platform, ex-Governor Stone is convinced that the intervening time until September, when the actual campaign will be begun, can be profitably employed raising a fund big enough to enable the national commitee to make a handsome showing. Mr. Bryan, it is understood, favors the plan. Mr. Bryan is regarded as the nominee now. The choice of his running mate will be largely a matter of expediency.