Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-07
FIGHT OVER SILVER.
Senator Teller Raises Storm in . Caucus Of
Western Men.

Western Men.
A hot controversy broke out at almost the
beginning Of the big caucus Of western dele
gates that assembled yesterday afternoon in the
California delegation headquarters in Mime
apolis- Fully one hundred and fifty delegates
were present from the Pacific coast and Rocky
mountain states. None but delegates were ad-
mitted. but the big, open plate-glass windows
afforded an excellent 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 raised rs 70
whether the caucus had been called to discuss
the silver plank or talk about candidates.
Senator Teller held that it would be useless
to attempt to enter into the matter OF a plat
form until the caucus reached some decision as
TO the candidate that would be supported. If
Harrison were the nominee, ID mattered not
how strong silver plank might be adopted, the
republicans could not carry the western states.
The Senator declared specincally that Harrison
under no circumstances could get the electoral
vote of Colorado.
Much excitement was caused by Mr.. Teller 3
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.
De Young of California followed Spencer in
a spirited address, and was reinforced by no less
Blaine lieutenant then Boutelle of Maine. The
latter spoke with marked emotion of the western
support of Blaine in 1894, and that he had been
escorted to his home by California delegates, q
proceeding which Boutelle urged would be no
less fitting now. Senator Jones of Nevada sue
ceeded Bouteue, and though the caucus was
reaching well into the evening the interest was
undated and the attendance showed not the
slightest diminution
With Jones speech the caucus waxed hotter
and hotter. The Nevada Senator charged Har-
rison with being dangerous because of his veto
propensities, and declared that the President
had threatened to veto q free coinage bill
Judge Spencer contradicted Senator Jones
point blank and gave tit for tat to the radical
pro-silver Blaine element in the caucus. He
claimed that if split was brought in the
republican party through the action Of the con-
vention the blame would rest upon Blaine, who,
after hfetime's work that they all approved,
had yielded in his old age to the Establishments
of parcel of selfish political bosses.
The caucus was now In an uproar, and the
Blaine men. shouting and cheering for their
favorite, made such q showing of strength that
the Harrison men might as well have been in
Manitoba. They surrendered and let their OPP
ponents have full swing. The discussion had
started by the offering Of resolution by Judge
Spencer. The resolution as follows:
Resolved, That we heartily indorse the eff
forts now being made to procure an interna-
tiOnal agreement for the universal free coinage
of silver, and that in pursuance Of the re-
publican principles of protection, under which
we have prospered SO much during the past. We
deem it expedient and just to our own people
that our Congress should at once provide for
the coinage OF all the silver product in our own
country, and that tariff should be levied upon
imported foreign silver
1t was after the reading and seconding Of the
resolution that the flow of Blaine eloquence,