The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, July 24, 1896, Page 1

VOLUME LXXX.—NO. 54. PRICE FIVE CENTS. ALLEN 15 CHOSEN CHAIRMAN Populists of the Nation Honor the Nebraska Senator. MAJOR McKINLEY AND GOLD ADVOCATES BERATED. Peculiar and Characteristic Address of the Permanent Presiding Officer Causes Commotion in the Convention. Machinery of the People’s Party Placed in the Hands of the Democracy, Which Prob- ably Means an Indorsement of Bryan or Fusion. HOTEL LINDELL, ST. LOUIS, Mo., July 23. Because of its shameful desertion by its leaders and because of the resulting lack of organization, coupled with a thorough organization on the part of the Democrats, and the Populists’ Hesitance, the Populist Convention was captured to-day by the Democracy. The election of Senator Allen of Nebraska as chairman puts the machinery of {he People’s party altogether in the hands of the Democracy, who will hold it as they will, and who under the mask of Populists will indorse Bryan to-morrow, or should that be inexpedient, they will make a fusion of the electoral ticket, the object of either procedure being the election of Bryan and the retention of the offices of the Nution inthe hands of Democrats After the adjournment of the convention last night the middle-of-the-road men held an indignation meeting at the Texas headquarters in the Southern Hotel. The opinion was fully expressed that fusion would put the Southern Populists into the unmerciful hands of the Southern Democraey. «“THE CALL’S” HEADQUARTERS, 2 JOHN PAUL COSGRAVE, FIRST TEST OF STRENGTH. Bryan Forces Win the Prellminary Skirmish by the Defeat of Campion for Chalrman. ST. LOUIS, Mo., July 23.—It was not till late in the evening that any substan- tial progress was made by the People’s party convention. All the morning and afternoon were frittered away in disputes over contested seats and similar trivial wratters. The biisiness 51 the convention was further much ‘bampered by the lack of familiarity with parliamentary law with which both the temporary presiding officers seemed equally afflicted. It was nearly 8 o'clock when a decisive test of strength between the Bryan and anti-Bryan forces was brought about. It came up on the reportof the committee on permanent organization. The Bryan men named Senator Allen of Nebraska for permanent chairman. The middle-of-the- road and anti-Bryan men united upon James E. Campion of Maine, stated to be one of the ablest parliamentarians in the body. On a call of States the Bryan men carnied the day by a decisive vote of 758 to 564. The middle-of-the-road men yielded gracefully, *“Cyclone” Davis, the most active opponent of Mr. Bryan, introducing Benator Allen to the convention. The permanent chairman soon restored order to the proceedings and pushed them along, previously making a characteristic speech of an hour or more duration. The committee on rules reported in favor of limiting the nominating speeches to-morrow to ten minutes for proposers and five minutes for seconders. After some little opposition a committee of conference was authorized to meet a similar committee appointed by the Silver party’s convention and at 10:08 ». M. the Populists adjourned until to-morrow when they may possibly succeed in adopting a platiorm, nominating a ticket and ad- journing. Shag SECOND DAY’S STRUGGLE. Some Music and Cheers While the Report of the Credentials Com~ mittee Is Awalited. ST. LOUIS, Mo., July 23.—The day opened clear and pleasant as far as the weather was concerned, but not so clear and pleasant as far as the delegates to the Populist Convention were concerned. Both the Bryan and anti-Brran men came up determined and defiant. Both sides claim to have the victory, but neither side could prove its claims. It was generally admitted that the first test vote would be on the report of the credential committee, and that until that vote was taken it woutd be impossible to proverly gauge the strength of the two factions. The delegates were prompt in assem- bling, ana Chairman Butler called the convention to order at 11 minutes past 10 o’clock. At that time the body of the hall was about two-thirds fuil, aithough there were probably not 200 persons present in the visitors’ gallery. The convention was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Smith, The chairman ennounced that the first thing in order was the report of the cre- dentials committee. He called for the report of the committee on credentials, but the report was not ready. Then it was ordered that the roll of States be called for members of the commiftee on permanent organization, and this was done. While this was in progress the delegates began to take off their coats and vests, as the heat had become very oppressive. After the selection of the committee on permanent organization bad been made the committee ou Tresolutions was ap- pointed, and both committees retired for consultation. > While the convention was waiting for tke return of the committees a delegate from Oklahoma took the platform and en- tertained the members with a song. He was followed by Mrs. Pennington of Ark- ansas, who was introducea by Delegate George T. Gother of Alabama and who sang a Populist song. While the call of committeemen was =oing on & sudden outburst of cheering ail -~ over the hall was caused by the irruption of a small party of Texas delegates, headed by two bearing a banner inscribed “Middle- of- the - road, straight Populist ticket.” The majority of delegates rose and cheered, shouted and waved hatsanda fans. ‘The spectators in the galleries joined in the shouting and cheering. ‘Washburn of Massachusetts offered the following resolution : ‘WHEREAS, We are all Populists, and whereas, we deprecate the attack which has appeared in some ! there 1s a disposition on the part of someof this gonvention notto abide by the action of the conventivn; there- fore, Resolved, That we repudiate all such utter- ances ss are reflections upon the fidelity of the members of this convention of the People's party. Strong opposition immediately devel- oped to this motion on the part of dele- gates from the Southern States, and the point of order was made that the conven- tion, not being yet permanently organized, the motion was not a proper one. About this time Eagene V. Debs entered the convention and was greeted with ap- plause, A motion by Delegate Crawford of [Kan- sas that delegates of the silver convention be admitted on their presenting their badges was received with hisses and shouts of ‘No! Nol!” It was modified by making 1t apply only to the galleries, but the sergeant-at-arms interposed the objec- tion that all the seats in the galleries had dJ. HARVEY DAVIS of Texas, Who by His Energetic Advo- cacy of Populistic Principles, Has Become Styled "“The Cyclone.” been assigned on the tickets issued, and he said that there wera counterfeit badges out besides. The chairman ruled the motion out of order on the ground that it would violate the contract made with the busi- ness men of St. Louis. The ruling was loudly applauded. . This was followed by & numbex of mo- tions, and the chair became involved in a hopeless parliamentary tangle, from which he finally extricated himself by declaring the motion tabied. It was announced that the Committee on Credentials would net be able to report until 3. M. A motion was at once made to take a recess uatil that hour, but in- at St. Louls. stantly cries of “No! No!” were heard in all parts of the hali, and for a while there ‘was much’ confusion. Finalty, however, the motion vrevailed, and the convention took a recess until 3r M. PERMANENT ORGANIZATION Senator Allen of Nebraska Defeats Campeon of Maine for the Chalrmanship. ST. LOUIS, Mo., July 23.—The conven- tion reassembled during the hottest por- tion of an oppressively hot day. It was little wonder then that most of the dele- gates set aside all idea of personal dignity or of the proprieties of the occasion and divested themselves of coats, vests and shirt collars. The committeeon credentials was still unready, and the services of the band had to be called into requisition. Tt was half-past 3 when Senator Butler called the convention to order and stated that the committee on credentials was prepared to make a partial report. There- upon Mr. Wardall of California, chairman of the committee, submitted a majority report, recommendirg tnat the delegates be recognized in all the nncontested cases —that in the cases of the first seven Illinois Congressional distriets both con- testants and contesiees be seated, jwith a half vote, and that, in the case of Colo- rado, the delegates known as the Patter- son delegates be . A7 SENATOR. ALLEN of Nebraska, Chosen Permanent Chair- man of the People’s Party National Convenfion S Minority reports, the chairman stated, would be submitted in these cases. That part ot the reportfor the admission of delegates whose seats were uncontested was agreed to. < Mr. Patterson of Colorado said the rea- son why ‘it was desired to take up the Colorado case first was becanse this was the only case where a whole State delega- tion was contested and Colorado had 45 good Populists who desired to be heard. , The Colorado case was then taken np. A Kansas delegate moved that the Pat- terson delegates be seated. A delegate made a protest against acting on the Colorado case until the minonty report on that case could be presented to the convention. That minority report was not yet ready. The protest was of no avail and it was ordered that discussion be confined to fifteen minutes for each side. Mr. Patterson of Colorado, at the request of the'delegations from Texas and Georgia, moved that tbhe Colorado case be post- poned for one hour, and this was agreed to. The Illinois case was taken up, The re- port of the majority declares that the Tay- lor delegates from Cook County, Ill.,are not entitled to the seats and that the con- testants arc. The minority report is in favor of the Taylor delegates. Mr. Moran of Nebraska moved the adop- tion of the minority report and Mr. Den- ning of Virginia moved the adoption of the majority report. Fifteen minutes on each side was allowed for the discussion of the Illinois case, the question being first on the adoption of the minority report. Mr. Palmer of Illinois opened the dis- cussion in support of the minority report and in favor of seating the Tayior dele- gates. The contestants, he said, repre- sented only a certain element in Chicago. Bome delegates intimated that the cer- tain element in Chicago alluded to by Mr. Palmer was the anarchistic element, but Mr. Palmer disavowed this. The majority report was defended by C. 8. Darrow of Illinois, the lawyer who de- fended Eugene V. Debs. The case, he Je- clared, had been carefully considered last night by the committee on credentials and the decision of the committee was an honest and fair one. No one had yet been heard to give a reason why that decision should not stand. Jerry Simpson of Kansas spoke in favor of the minority report. He declared the majority had made no discussion as to the equities 'of the case, but had simply recommended a compromise to give both sets seats. This was not justice. If the Taylor delegates were entitled to the seats they shouid have them, and if the con- testants were entitled to the seats they should bave them. [Applause.] The majority report was advocated by Mr. Morton of Chicago, although he said he was in the condition of the preacher who, when asked why he did not preach sermons upon heaven and hell, said: “Well, brethren, I have got friends in both places and do not want to say anything against them,”” [Lavghter] So in this case both the contestants and contestees were his friends and the best way was to seat both sets, as proposed, and give them half votes. Mr. Maxwell, chairman of the State committee of Illinois, advocated ' the mi- nority report and gave & sketch of the dif- ficulty between the two factions in Cook County.. N S Mr. Haight of West Virginia, a member of the committee on the majority report. on the minority report—that the Taylor delegates are entitled to the seats—and thbe rolicall of States was called. The vote Was taken in the most extraor- dinary manner. Tnstead of voting aye or no on the question before them—the adop- tion of the minority report—most of the delegates voted upon both reporis at the same time. In this haphazard way the sense of the convention was reached, and it was found that there were cast: For the minority re- port, seating the Taylor delegates irom Cook County, 642 votes; for the majority report, seating both delegations with a half vote, 665 votes. This result was announced by the chair (Mr. Washburn of Massachusetts, who had temporarily relieved Senator Butler) amid a scene of great confusion. It was stated by the chair, in reply to a question, that the Illinois delegation had voted on their own case, though no one had heard Hlinois called. It was incidentally dis- closed during the rollcall that the vote of Louisiana bad been increased by the com- mittee on credentials from fifteen to thirty- two without any report being made in re- gard thereto. The relicall also gave public information for the first time of the num- ber of votes assigned each State under the elastic rules of the convention. The voting strength of each State was as follows: Alabama 54, Arkansas 22, Cali- fornia 32, Colorado 45, Connecticut 7, Delaware 3, Florida 9, Georgia 61, Idaho 7, Illinois 54, Indiana 30, Jowa 27, Kansas 92, Kentucky 26, Louisiang 32, Maine9, Maryland 9, Massachusetes 21, Michigan 80, Minnesota 37, Mississippi 18, Missouri 88, Montana 1, Nebraska 57, Nevada not represented, New Hampshire 4, New Jer- sey 12, New York 44, North Carolina 95, North Dakota 12, Ohio 49, Oregon 14, Pennsylvania 38, Rhode Island 4, South Carolina not represented, South Dakota 17, Tennessee 77, Texas 103, Utah 5, Ver- mont 2, Virginia 53, Washington 16, West Virginia 8, Wisconsin 24, Wyoming 7, Alaska and Arizona not represented, Dis- trict of Columbia 6, New Mexico 5, Okla- homa 9, Indian Territory 6. An Illinois delegate challenged the cor- rectness of the tally and demanded that the vote be verified and the chairman gave orders to that effect. When the sec- retary recapitulated the vote some of the figures were found to have been changed from the original announcement, the sec- retary stating that this had been done at the request of the delegations before the result was proclaimed. “But you never announced it to us,” shouted a delegate. The challenge was eventually withdrawn and the majority report was declared adopted, seating both delegations from Cook County. The vote having been announced the [linois delegates withdrew for conference. The next contest was that from the State of Missouri, but the contestants withdrew their claim. The next contest was that from the State of Wisconsin. Five minutes was allowed to each side for the presentation of its case and after con- siderable talking the minority report (to seat Cole instead of Isaacs) was voted down and the majority report (giving the seat to Isaacs) was adopted. Lafe Pence remarxing that all the con- tests had pow bevn disposed of, said it'was Tull time to have a permanenf organiza- tion of the Convention, and moved thata special committes be appointed to wait on the committee on permanent organiza- tion and ask'it to report its action, but on being informed that the committee was ready to report he withdrew his motion and inquired where the committee was “at.” [Laughter.] The report from the commiitee on or- ganization was about to be presented, when points of order were made that the com- mittee on credentials had the right of way until its full report was made. The chair- man (Mr. Washburn of Massachnsetts) overruled these objections and amid up- roar announced that Mr. Cox of Virginis, chairman of the committee on permanent organization, had the floor. Mr. Cox stated the recommendations of the com- mittee, the name of Senator Allen of Nebraska being reported as permanent chairman. [Loud and prolonged cheers.] SILVERITES STILL WAITING, Failure of the Conference Committee to Report Causes Delay. POSSIBLE POPULISTIC ACTION CENTERS INTEREST. Poll of the Delegates Shows a Large Number of Republican Bolters in the Convention. Eloquent Orators Tell Why They Are Found in the: White-Metal Camp and Object to Further Retarding of Bryan’s Indorsement. “THE CALL’S"” HEADQUARTEES, HOTEL LINDELL, 2 ST. LOUIS, Mo., July 23. The National Silver Convention transacted no business whatever to-day, Morning and afternoon sessions were held. Both were well attended by delegates and visitors. ‘The interest of the day centered in the prospective action of the Populists relative to the indorsement of Bryan. Asthere wasno report forthcoming from the conference committee appointed yesterday to co-operate with a like com- mitteee from the Populist Convention, the day dragged along slowly and uneventfully. Several vigorous speeches were delivered by silver-tongued orators, and a poll was taken of the political faith of the delegates previous to the time of their join- ing the Nutional Silver party. It showed a tremendously large secession from the Republican ranks. Many of the delegates declared their unyielding fidelity to the party of Lincoln on all questions apart from that of National finance. The silver delegates are rejolcing to-night over the selection of Senator Allen of Nebraska, a Bryan supporter, as permanent chairman of the Populist Conven- tlon They regard it as a victory for their cause and an indication of the promised triumph of Bryan. Regarding the stubbornness of the middle-of-the-road Popu- lists, and especially the passion and steadfastness displayed by the ‘“Texas steers,’” as the delegates from the Lane Star State are sometimes called, the silver men angrily declare that they are inclined to think that the wheel factory in St. Louis is now running overtime. FRANK McGUIRE. MORNING PROCEEDINGS. The Mention of Bryan’s Name Causes Tumultuous Applause by White-Metal Men. 8T. LOUIS, Mo., July 28.—The delegates to the Silver convention were slow in assembling this morning. Members of the committee appointed yesterday to confer with the Populists were, however, early on hand and held & caucus back of the chairman’s desk, while the hall was slowly filling with dele:ates. It was 10:30 when the convention was called to order by Chairman 8t. Jobn. A motion was made and carried that a committee on ways and means be ap- pointed. Newlands made the motion, explaining that he understood that the ex- penses of the convention had not been pro- vided for, and a committee was necessary for that purpose. Chairman St. John then introduced to the convention its vice-chairman, Hon. Charles A. Towne of Minnesota, who re- ceived great applause. Mr. Towne said in part: The situation of our affairs is most grave. JEROME C, KEARBY of Texas, a Popular Populist Who Has a Large Number of Supporters for the Presiden- tial Nomination. The minority report was then read, pre- senting the name of James Campion of Maine as vermanent chairman. [Cheers and applause from the middle-of-the-road section.] The excitement lasted for fully ten min- utes, the guidons of Alabama, Mississippi, Obio, Tennessee and other States and the middle-of-the-road banners being carried around in tumuituous procession in imita- of the scene at the Democratic Con- 'vention at Chicsgo when Bryan was nominated. g The names of the fourteen members of - e Men long entrusted with power have come to regard themselves asthe source of it and their own selfish advantage as the proper object of it. Every instfumentality thatcould minister to it has been pressed into service. Industrial, social and political forces have been adroitly used, not only to bestow rich results upon the manipulators, but to give the process all the appearance of a natural and orderly evolu- tion. Laws have been compelled to speak the will of a class instead of the fiat of the people. Legislatures and administrations have been puppets, and recently, for the first time in the history of our institutions, the tide of suspicion has even risen about the judiciary and threat ens to undermine the very bulwark of the con- stitution, while the press, by the sacrifices and" through the wisdom of the fsthers made iree, s the chief guaranty of liberty, has, in a great measure, forgotten its noble traditions and bes come the pliant instrument of oppression. But the hour of reformation isat hand. We are in the vortex of great events. We ara making history. We are returning to the first principles of our Government, and on every side are seen the portents of the impending change. Oneé month ago i this city the Tepre- sentatives of a great and dominant party met in convention, and for the firsi time in this or any other country a great party declared in favor. of the single goid standard. I make bold to say that in doing so that convene tidn did violence to the opinions of the great majority of its constituents. The bold and bald declaration for the gold standard has had certain wonderful resulte. Events and agita. tion had gradually prepered the public mind, until it was in a condition like that of certain chemical solutions that need only the addition of a single ingredient to cause the crystalliza~ tion of the whole mass. The declaration did it. Under circumstances whose solemnity and impressiveness were never surpassed, & nume ber of members of that convention, led by the grand old man of Colorado, regretfully but de. terminedly severed the bonds of party and followed their couvictions into the freedom and independence of original citizenship. Meantime events were developing rapidly in the Democratic party, and when its great cone vention met in the city of Chicago a large majority was found to be against the policy that had captured itsgreat rival and had once counted on capturing it also. Fortunate Democracy, to have been the beneficiary of a rebirth of Americanism! And happy gold and silver Democrats to have been able to remain true to your country without violence to the amiable prejudices of party associations! But though that great convention knew its mind upon its platform it was all at sea for a candie date. Then, fellow-citjzens, did our young Lochin« var come out of tHe West. Barn in the year of Lincoln’s election and in the State ana com- munity that had witnessed the preparation of that matchless character for his glory and passion, removing in early professional life to & more Western State, 8 man of the common people, knowing their needs, sympathizing with their sorrows, understanding their ways, without powerful conpections and lacking wealth, by the sheer force of his character and the brilliancy of his talents he forced himsel, at 36 years of age, to the candidacy of & great party, nay, to the primacy of & great cause. Forthe Presidency of the United States who shall say that William J. Bryan is an accie dent? Shall we mot rather believe that he represents and continues the same conserva. tion to high public duty that Lincoln exemplified; the same heaven-bestowed mission in behalf of his country and all the masses of mankind? Yes, it is as the exponent, the embodiment of a cause, that William J. Bryan is significant and formid. able; the cause generally of the masses against the classes, of the great social progress of mane kind, and the cause, specifically, of the res- toration of silver to an equal place with gold in the mbney system of the world, as the first step in the line of general reformation and ad« vancement. This cause indicates the single gold stand- ard as an engine of incalcuiable oppression and wrong. At the outset it encounters an army of defendess of that standard, who exe haust all the resources of ingenuity in avoia« ing a decisive engagement. The merits of the question are ignored. Epithets tuke the place of argument and abuse substitutes discussion, Among other desperate things which the gold standard comvels its defenders to do is to ine vent a new political economy. The gold standard advocate deniesthat there is any relation between the quantity of money and prices. Mankind, however, will not con« sent to be made over again so as to make none sense reasonable. We shall continue fo bes lieve that when the quantity of real money diminishes, prices must fall: that falling prices mean loss of profits, the fallure of en« terprises, idleness for labor end bankruptey for borrowed capital; that the infusion of & nexw supply of basic money into the channels of trade would tend to check the decline in values, raise the prices of our products, re- store life to business, empioyment to labor and prosperity to our people. But we are ue?ved of trying to legislate value into silver. We do not claim that you can legislate value. But you can legislate ope portunity and opportunity widens demand and demand raises value. In 1! , the price of silver bullion under the inRuence of ex. pected free coinage legislation, in a short time rose from 40 cents to $1 20 an ounce. Nine cents more would have meant par, which