The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-06-07
A FIGHT ON A PLANK.
Western Delegates Get Into a Silver
Controversy.
HARRISON CALLED DANGEROUS.
A Free Silver Resolution Started the
Trouble-senator Jones Was Hot I'm
Caucus But Nothing Came of the Lit
tie Squabble.

MINNEAPOLIS, Mimi, June IA hot
ginning OF the big caucus OF western del
egates that assembled in the Californian
delegation headquarters. Fully 100 dele
gates were present from the Pacific coast
and the Rocky Mountain states, to whom
invitations were sent by the Californians.
None but delegates were admitted, 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 proceed
lngs were fairly under way the question
was raised as 10 whether the caucus had
been called to discuss the silver plank or
talk about candidates.
Senator Teller held that 1t would be
useless to attempt to enter into the mat
ter of a platform until the caucus reached
some decision as to the candidate that
would be supported. IL Harrison was
nominated, 1t mattered not how strong
silver plank might be adopted, the Re-
publicans could not carry the Western
ptates. The senator declared specifically
that Harrison under no circumstances
could get the electoral vote Of Colorado.
Much excitement was caused by Mr.. Tel
ler's blunt declaration and he was vigor-
ously replied to by Judge Spence OF CAL
ifornia, a staunch Harrison supporter.
Spence spoke at great length, gesticu-
white at times with passion.
Mr.. DeYoung of California followed
Spence in q spirited address and was re-
inforced by no less a Blaine lieutenant
than Mr.. Boutelle::of Maine. The latter
spoke with marked emotion Of the west
- <>H Nm lasx sv~ xx1
said that Mr.. Blaine had been escorted
to his home by California delegates, a
proceeding which Mr.. Boutelle urged
would be no less fitting now. Senator
Jones OF Nevada succeeded Boutelle, and
though the caucus was reaching well
into the evening the interest was una
bated and the attendance showed not the
slightest elimination.
Senator Jones made the caucus wax
hotter and hotter. He charged Harrison
with being dangerous because OF his veto
propensities, and declared that the Pres
ident had threatened to veto free coin
age bill. Judge Spences contradicted
for tat to the radical pro-silver Blaine
element In the caucus. He claimed that
IL split was brought about In the Re-
publican party through the action OF the
convention, the blame would rest on
Blaine who, after liietime's work that
tHCy alA dPpkONcds hhd iciuco All Oiu
age to the Establishment of parcel OF
selfish political bosses.
The caucus was now in an uproar and
the Blaine men, shouting and cheering
for their favor.te, made such showing
Of strength that the Harrison men gave
up the contest. The discussion had all
been started by the Offering of O resolu-
tion by Judge K. v. Spence Of California
endorsing the efforts now being made to
procure an international agreement for
the universal free coinage of silver; and
declaring that Congress should provide
for the coinage Of all the silver product
in our own country and that tariff
should be levied upon imported foreign
silver.
No vote was taken on this resolution.