The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-21

To Press Free Coinage Plank and Per
haps Vote for German.


CHICAGO, June 20.-The silver states
held q meeting in the CoioraGo headquar-
ters this afternoon. Representatives from
the following 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 repre-
scented, but the delegates have no author
ity 10 bind their delegations. Confusion
and excitement vas dung into the confer
ence almost a: the outset. and an abortive
ending Of the whole movement seemed
imminent, but the final success is all the
greater By contrast. The explosion came
from premature suggestion that the
caucus proceed 20 talk over the matter OF
candidates. A hubbub ensued. Its no
use" I'VE couldn't agree" ats too
close TO the convention" and dozens of
similar comments met the proposal. The
understanding among the leading
spirits Of the conference was that
efforts should be made to con-
centrate the silver votes under the
lead of Colorado, solidiy for German. The
practical refusal of the caucus to even con-
slider the matter, much less unite upon a
candidate, was disagreeable suprise. but
getting the caucus together adrcitly avoid
ed forcing an issue at the beginning that
threatened to precipitate dissension. In
stead Of iamming ahead rough shod and
securing candidate, the efforts were
ostensibly bent toward producing
silver plank for which all pres
ent would pledge themselves 10
stand through thick and thin.
The dulcet eloquence and quick intelli-
gence of Hon. T. N. Patterson, OF Denver,
were brought into play, and under his
skillful pilotage harmony soon began TO
loom into view. He carefully avoided men,
ton Of presidential candidates and urged
a full expression from every man pres
ent as TO what should be done and
the best methods Of doing il. As result
the foriy-iwo delegates present were soon
| engaged in an earnest but harmless dis
cussion OF the phraseoiogy Of the silver
plank ana evolving most ingenious
schemes by which the plank. when con-
structed, could be passed when the plat
| form reached the convention The
roundup came IN the form Of a motion
to appoint a committee OF one from each
| represented delegation 10 help frame the
| much-discussed plank, and by this time
| the inclination to pugnaciousness SO PROM
| inent early IN the proceedings had thor
| oughiy evaporated.
Seizing favorable opportunity, Patter-
son again took the floor, and, after point
| ing out how much depended upon united
| action, gradually led up to the statement
| that he was originally Hill man, but Of
| late had become convinced tina. the most
available man from a silver STANDPOINT as
| the candidate favorable 70 the silver
| interests, who aroused the least antagon-
| ism and was most likely 10 win, is German.
When Patterson's remarks were rein
| forced BY T. J. O'Donnell, aud another
/ Colorado delegate proclaimed himself an
| original German man. the temper Of the
| caucus toward the Maryland senator be-
/ gan 70 show symptoms OF de-
| cided warming Up. When Clark.
| OF Nevada, helped the boom, the Montana
| delegates were not slow - fall in
| line and the representatives forming the
| remainder Of the conference, after much
/ button-holIng and canvassing the posi-
| bjlities Of ballOting in the convention. nut
| themselves on record by declaring. one
| after another, preferences for German. or
| willingness 20 unite IN his support-
! When the leaders OF the ceucus
| secure the reward OF patient manipu alton.
| adjournment was at once taken subject To
| call. The net result, If the pledges
| are carried out, is the co-aIlinp
| Of exactly forty-two votes for German
| on the arst ballot, the votes 20
/ come from Colorado. Montana. Idaho
| Nevada, Utah. New Mexico, Arizona and
| Wyoming. Those active in the caucus
| claim that action Will directly influence
| thirty other votes IN different delegations,
T
| German. As the result Of the DAYS W ork of
! the silYer men.