The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-06-08
A SILVER CONFERENCE.
The Far Western Delegates Deciding
Their Course.


The Far Western Delegates Deciding on
Their Course.
A hot controversy broke out at almost the
beginning of the big caucus of western dele.
gates that assembled this afternoon In the
California delegation headquarters. Fully $50
delegates were present from the Pacific coast
and Rocky mountain states, TO which invita-
tions were sent by the Californians None but
delegates were admitted, but the big open plate
glass window 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 was raised as to whether the
caucus had been called to discuss the silver
plank or TO talk about candidates. Senator
Teller held that 1t would be useless TO attempts
to enter into the matter OF q platform until the
caucus reached some decision as 10 the candi.
date that would be supported If Harrison
was the nominee IL mattered not how strong
q silver plank might be adopted, the repub-
licans could not carry the western states. 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 re-
piled to by Judge Spence of California. =
stanch Harrison supporter Spence spoke at
great length, gesticulating violently, and be-
coming almost white at times with passion.
De Young Of California followed Spence in
9 spirited address ana 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, q proceeding which Boutslle 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 undated and the
attendance showed lot the slightest diminuticn.
With Jones speech the caucus wsxed hotter
and hotter. The Nevada senator charged Har-
rison with being dangerous because of his veto
propensities, and declared thaS the president
had threatened 10 veto free coinage bill.
Judge Spence contradicted Senator Jones
point blank and gave tit for tat TO the radical
pro-silver Blaine element in the caucus. He
proclaimed that if split was brought in the
republican party through the action of the
convention. the blame would rest on Blaine,
who, after q lifetime work that they all ap-
proved, had yielded in his old age 20 the bland
ishments Of o parcel of selfish political
bosses.
The caucus was now in an uproar, and the
Blaine men shouting and cheering for their
favorIte made such showing OF strength that
the Harrison men might as well have been in
Manitoba. They surrendered and let their op-
poDents have full swing.
The discussion had all been started by the
Offering Of a resolution by Judge E. V. Spence,
who halls from Lassen county, California, and
who is a typical looking full-brained, warm
blooded westerner, with bronzed face and clear
blue eyes. He wore a soft, black felt hat and
had an appearance OF humor and earnestnesa
reminding one instantly of Stephen B. Elkns.
The resolution was as follows:
Resolved, That we heartily indorse the efforts now
being made 10 procure international agreement
for the free coinage Of silver and that In pursuance
OF the republican principles OF protection under
which we have prospered so much during the past.
deem il sxpedient and just 10 own people that
should At once provide for the coinage OF
ali the silver product in own country and that
tariff should be levied upon imported foreign silver.
Ii was after the reading and ssconding of
this resolution that the flow Of Blaine elo-
quence started by Teller began and was fol-
lowed by the succession Of assaults Harri-
son. No vote was taken on the Spence reso-
luton and when Mr.. De Young moved that the
sense of the caucus be that a committee COM
posed of one member from each del
egstion represented be appointed for the pur-
pose of embodying the wants of the meeting in
the form of q resolution to be presented 70 tho
national conventions COMMITTEES on platform,
the motion was carried with q tremendous
hurrah. Messrs. Jack of California, Bartine of
Nevada, Townsend of Colorado, Bierberger OF
Montana, Salisbury of Utah, Heyborn OF Idaho
and Bennett OF Washington were named and
the caucus adjourned with Blaine feeling
aroused to high pitch.