Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-07
WHITE HEAT IN A CAUCUS.

westerners Meet to Demand Free Silver
Plank in the PIatform-The Blaine and
Harrison Parti,ans Nearly Com, to
Blows-An Exciting Tim.
MINNEAPOLIS, June GA hot contro-
| versy broke out at almost the beginning of
the big caucus of Western delegates that as
sembled this afternoon in the California
delegation headquarters. Fully $50 dele
gates were present from the Pacific Coast
and Rocky Mountain States, to which invi-
tations were sent by the Californians. None
but delegates were admitted, but the big,
open plate-glass window afforded an excel
lent view of the animated scene within.
Senator Teller of Colorado, was selected
to act as chairman. Before the proceedings
were fairly under way the question was
raised as to whether the caucls had been
called to discuss the silver plank or to talk
about candidates.
Senator Teller held that it would be use
less to attempt to enter into the matter OF a
platform until the caucus reached some de-
cision as to the candidate that would be
supported. If Harrison would be the nomi-
nee, it matters not how strong silver plank
might be adopted, the Republicans could
not carry the Western States.
Colorado Not for Harrison.
The Senator declared specifically that
Harrison, under no circumstances, could get
the electoral vote of Colorado.
Much excitement was caused by Mr..
Teller's blunt declaration, and he was
vigorously replied to by Judge Spencer, of
California, a stanch Harrison supporter.
Spencer spoke at great length, gesticulating
violently and becoming almost white at
times with passion.
NJ or ~ -. fo11
in spirited address, and was reinforced by
no less Blaine lieutenant than Boutelle,
of Maine. The latter spoke with marked
emotion of the Western support of Blaine
in 1884, and that he had been escorted to
his home by California delegates-a pro-
ceeding, Boutelle urged, that would be no
less fitting now. Senator Jones, of Nevada,
succeeded Boutelle, and though the caucus
was reaching we'll into the evening, the in
terest was unabated and attendance showed
not the slightest dimlnution.
With Jones' speech the caucus waxed
hotter and hotter. The Nevada Senator
charged Harrison with being dangerous be-
cause of his veto propensities, and declared
that the President had threatened to veto
free coinage bill.
Judge Spencer Wakes Indignant.
Judge Spencer contradicted Senator ones
poiHI Diduh, anu gave tht tiI loi W thC
radical pro-silver Blaine element in the
caucus. He proclaimed that if a split was
brought in the Republican party through
the erection of the convention the blame
would rest on Blaine, who, after . lifetime
of work that they all approved, had yielded
in his old age to the Establishments of par
eel of selfish political bosses.
The caucus was now in an uproar, and the
Blaine men, shouting and cheering for their
tavorite, made such showing of strength
that the Harrison men might as well have
been in Manitoba. They surrendered and
let their opponents have full swing.
Mr.. De Young moved that the sense of
the caucus be that committee composed of
one member from each delegation repre-
sented be appointed for the purpose of enl-
bodying the wants of the meeting in the
form of resolution to be presented to the
National Convention Committee on the
platform, and the motion was carried with
tremendous hurrah. Jack, of California;
Bartine, of Nevada; Townsend, of Colorado;
Biedberg, of Montana; Salisbury, of Utah;
Heybern, of Idaho, and Bennett, Of Wash
ington, were named, and the caucus ad-
journed with Blaine feeling aroused to a
high pitch.