The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-06-21
THE SILVER STATES,

Decided to Vote for German, Whose Name
Will Not Be Presented.
CHICAGO, June 20.-The silver states held
meeting in Colorado headquarters this
afternoon. Representatives from the fol-
lowing states and territories, with full
power to act. were in attendance: Colorado.
Nevada. Montana, Idaho, New Mexico,
Arizona and Utah. Kansas and Nebraska
were also represented but the delegates
have no authority to bind their delegations.
Confusion and excitement were flung into
the conference almost from the outset. An
abottive ending Of the whole movement {
seemed imminent, but the final success was
all the greater by contrast. The explosion
came from . premature suggestion that
the caucus proceed to- talk over the
IL il no use;'' "eouldn't agree;" ''too
close to the convention" and dozens of
similar comments met the proposal. The
understanding among the leading spirits of
the conference was that an effort should be
made to concentrate the silver votes, under
the lead Of Colorado, solidly for German.
The practical refusal of the caucus even to
consider the matter, much less unite upon
= candidate, was 9 disaRreeable surprise,
but those who wore chiefly instrumental in
getting the cauous together adroitly avoided
forcing an issue Mt the beginning that
threatened to precipitsts irrstrievabie dis
sension. Instead of jamminQ ahead rough
shod and securing candidate, their efforts
ostensibly were bent toward producing a
silver plank for which all present would
pledge themselves to stand through thick
and thin.
The dulcet eloquence and quick intelli-
gsnce of Hon. Il. NJ. Patterson, of Denver,
ful pilotage harmony soon began to loom
into view. He carefully avoided mention
of presidential candidates and urged full
expression from every man present a. to
what should be done and the best methods
Of doing it. As result the forty-two del
eRatss present soon engaged in an 4earnsst
bat harmless discussion OF the phrsseolosy
ofga silver plank and the most ingenious
schemes by which the plank, when con-
st.ucted, could be urged when the platform
reached the convention. The "round-up''
came in the form of motion to appoint a
committee of one from each state repre-
plank, and by this time the inoli-
nation to pugnaoiousnsss 80 prominent
carly in the proceedings had thoroughly
evaporatsd. Selling favorable opportu-
nifty Patterson again took the floor, and
arter pointing out hsw much depended
upon united action. generally led up TO the
Hill man, but of late had become con-
vinced that the most available men from a
silver standpoint, the candidate favorable
to the silver interests who aroused tho least
antagonism, and most likely to win, was
German. Pattsrson's remarks reinforced
by T. j. OConnell, another Colorado dele
gate, who proclaimed himself an original
Go man man. The temper of the caucus
toward the Maryland senator began to
show symptoms of decided warming up.
CLARK, of Nevada, helped the boom. The
Montana delegates were not slow to fall in
line. and Representatives forming the re-
naming portion of tho conRre ess,
after much buttonholinR and can
vassing of possibilities of the
ballotine in the convention, put themselves
on record bv declaring one after another a
preference for German. or Willingness to
unto in his support. When the leaders of
the caucus secured the reward of their pa
tient manipulation, adjournment at once
was taken subject to call.
The net result. il the pledges are carried
out, il the oorralinR OF exactly forty-two
votes for German on the first ballot. The
votes are to come from Colorado, Montana,
Idaho. Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona
and Wyoming Those active in tho caucus
claim the action will directly influence
thirty other votes in different delegations.
making total of seventy or more for Cor
man, a. the result OF the days work of the
silver men.