The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-07-02
BEFORE THE DEcLINArroN.

BEFORE THE DECLINATIoN.
How the Situation Appeared Yesterday Be-
fore Gresham's Message Came.
OMAHA. Neb, July 1.-The national con-
vention of the Peoples party will convene
under inspiring circumstances that lend
roseate hopes to the future. The passage
of the free-silver bill by the United States
Senate to-day IS accepted by the delegates
to the national convention tonight as q
vIdication of those vital principles of their
organization-the demand for q greater
circulating medium among tho common
people, The leaders all agree that nothing
could have been done at this time that
could have been moro propitious for the
Peoples party's hopes or that could have
given greater inspiration of an emphatic
demand In favor of those cardinal princi-
pies to which the various industrial
organizations have been SO long
committed. The national central
committee composed of $50 prominent
members of the Peoples party, from all
sections of the Union, was in session In
this city this afternoon, when the United
States Senate took the formal vote on the
passage of the silver bill. Thirty seconds
after the result was announced by the
President of the Unitsd States Senate,
1900 miles away, the announcement of tho
passage of the bill was reported TO this
conference. The effect was electrical.
Nearly every member jumped to his feet.
and three cheers were given for the United
States Senate, the fret Legislative body to
come to the relief of the people, and 1t was
Ben Terrell Of Texas. who shouted: Now
let the people'a representatives in the
lower house of Congress do the peoples
bidding and likewise pass this BILL"
There is feeling to- light that tho House
of Representatives will hardly dare ad-
journ without giving this measure consid.
GRAFTON, and 1T is determined by the lead
ing spirits of this convention that its posi-.
tion on the financial question will be such
as to leave no avenue of escape for the
Democrats of the solid South and the Re-
publicans of the silver West In the event
of the failure of the lower house to pass
this bill. kilograms of copgratulation In
Vulnerable have flashed from this city to
Washington tonight, congratulating Sem
ators Kyle and PETER and the other Peo-
ple's party Legislators for their first raw of
hope that comes in the passage of the free
coinage bill by the United States Senate.
-. ..--..~TfiR PREslDENTLAr.v SITUATION.
The presidential question is naturally
becoming the engrossing tonic in this great
gathering, and the feeling of uncertainty
as to the outcome Is becoming one of posi-
tive anxiety. Tho great popularity Of
Judge Walter @. Gresham makes his nomi-
nation practically certain in the event of
his willingness to accept, and so strong is
I Gresham's popularity becoming that many
of the more conservative leaders are fear
/ full that the convention may be led into the
serious error of bestowing the nominat tion
7 upon a man who may subsequently, reject
ment of strong element this evening when
he said: I'VE must not 60 too fast with
the Gresham movement, but must await
some expression from Judge Gresham him.
self before we nominate him. If he is Will.
ing to accept and make the fight on our
platform, think there is but one opinion
as TO the desirability of his nomination;
but until il is known that he will accept
prudence demands that the nomination
shall not be rendered to man who is out.
side of the party. IL it should be done. and
Gresham should then decline. it would
bring our party into ridicuie throughout
the country"
an echo from nearly all the PEOPLES party
leaders, has had the effect of slightly check
ing the Gresham movement tonight. 1t is
tacitly agreed on all sides that Gresharn's
name is not to be mentioned In the conven-
ton unless authoritative assurance Is Sc
cured that he stands prepared to accept
| the nomination. So General Weaver. Chair
man Tanbeneck, Ben Terrell ana other
leaders of the party have joined together
| tonight IN taking steps to secure positive
lntimation OF his position from Judge
Gresham. If this intimation rs favorable
one. General Weaver himself will present
| Gresham's name to the convention In q
] ringing speech, and the nomination OF the
I distinguished jurist will DO made by ac-
| clamation. If, however, Gresham should
| decline TO be considered q candidate, the
! indications tonight arc that 6euerai
| While he expresses his first choice TO be
| Gresham, General Weaver does not deny
that he stands prepared to make the cam
! palen in case he is selected as the party 8
next to Gresham, the choice Of the conven'
ton. Ben Terrell, of Texas. is prominently
mentioned tonight In connection with the
vice-presidency.
THE SILVER APOSTLE.
| NJ. II. Slater, the apostle of free coinage,
| arrived this afternoon. and, fraternizing
with s. G. Nixon, of Nevada, opened Silver
| League headquarters at the Millard. Mr..
| Slater is tho chairman of the Silver League,
and preached the gospel of free coinage to
/ the Republican platform committee at
Minneapolis. and to the Democratic
platform committee at Chicago. He
came to Omaha from Chicago, and
feels that he has finally found some of his
own faith. lat tho last reckoning" said
| Mr.. Slater, "the Colorado Silver League
! haS eighty odd clubs. with mem-
bership of 10000. The Denver club
member signs pledge 10 vote for no man
| for any prominent Office except he Is une-
| quivocaliy for free coinage. When the
members of the Denver Club signed the
| roll they were asked to give their politics.
| We can hold nnc-tenths of the me III ber.
ship OIL the ST. Louis platform, and carry
! Colorado"
Whom do you prefer for the presiden
tial candidatei'
"We consider Gresham sound on the sll
YER question, and he would he eminently
satisfactory. | think, however. that Sena
tor John /. Morgan. of Alabama, would bt
thusisstic as some who think the third
party candidate can be elected. The mos
we can hope to do 10 to throw the election
into the Democratic House. Morgan
has better record as Dem
ocrat than Cleveland. and he would
stand some chance of being chosen
majority of the represent tatives from
twenty.seven States arc silver men. and i
only takes twenty-three States to elect"
TERRELL THINKS GRESHAM WILL CONSENT
Benjamin. Terrell. of Texas. for foul
years lecturer for the Alliance and TIL
To- = r.