Evening journal., 1893-08-01
SILVER MEN AT WORK.
Nearly 600 National Delegates
Assembled To-Day.
A. G. THURMAN CHOSEN CHAIRMAN

Every Seat in the Vast Methodist Episco-
pal Auditorium Was Occupied and the
Aisles We're Thronged when the White
Metal Convention Began Work.
CHICAGO, Aug. Nearly 600 dele
gates to the National Silver Convention
were present when General A J. Warner,
of Ohio, president of the B metallic !
League, called the great convention to
order this morning.
Every seat in the vast Methodist |
Episcopal Church auditorium was occu
pied, while many friends Of the white
metal crowded the aisles and the rear
spaces.
General Warner made a short address.
outlining the object of the onvention,
namely, to devise ways lald means to
combat the influence of the money
lenders who demand the unconditional
repeal Of the Sherman law; to devise a
plan 10 effectively demand a substitute
for the present law before it is repealed
to establish a sentiment in favor of
the equOl right Of gold and silver ana.
above all to establish a ratio of 16 to /
as compared TO gold, together with
the free coinage of both metals on
neutral favor at the ratio dtmanded
The general then cautioned the dele
gates to the temperate in speech and
action as the result Of the convention is
awaited with interest on both con-
tinents.
The ''Old Roman" TO Preside.
General Warner was selected as tenn
| f.,s. aA INT
Mayor Carter H. Harrison, who made
one Of his characteristic addresses
welcoming the convention to the city.
The committee on credentials selected by
the caucus last night was named as also
was committee on permanent organiza-
tion.
The caucus last night decided on
Allen w. Thurman, of Ohio, for per
manent chairman, SO the committee will
select secretaries and vice presidents
only.
LATER.
CHICAGO Aug. 1.-The Colorado, Mon
tana and Nebraska delegations held
meetings at their respective hotels
before coming to the convention, but no
important action was taken. The meet
ing was more for the purpose of bringing
the delegates together to get acquainted
than anything else. Iowa held its pre-
liminary meeting in the Convention Hall
and elected General ]. B. Weaver its
chairman, and W. a. Robb, secretary.
Mayor Harrison's Instructions.
Mayor Harrison, in his address, said
This country financially was bound hand
and feet to the gold bugs of Europe He
had no advice to give but did not see
! the necessity for the fall in silver. The
trouble was that the people had been led
by subsidized newspapers, aud were now
paying tribute to the plutOcrats Ia the
East de asked the convention TO de.
B liberate well to men that the money of
our fathers, gold and silver, 20 side by
side. Then tell Cleveland what the
people want.
Pleaded for Combined Action.
Thomas lPattison replied on behalf OF
: the convention to the mayors address,
j. saying be knew Mayor Harrison as q
r friend o. bi-metallism. He referred To
{ the deplorable condition in the west and
r pleaded for combined action to remedy
the fall.
Chairman Thurman started out by
saying that the nght between those VINO
a believe that the circulating medium of
j. this country should be hard money,
. that is real money, gold and silver and
= paper redeemable in the same and those
who believed in soft money, paper
promises to pay money, redeemable in
other promises to pay, is on. Should
Y the Sherman law be repealed without
q enaeting a substitute. it means the final
destru. tioa Of silver as a measure Il
value Gold certainly cannot afford
b sufficient basis upon whicn the amount
of money required by the people car
safely rest. If things were as they
" should be there would be no danger in
q gold leaving ths country. Under the
+ gold standard our circulating medium
would rest on faith alone.
To Secure Larger Quarters.
Il The committee on permanent organi
: zation was ordered to secure a largei
4 hall as the present one is inadequate anC
n the convention adjourned until 2.3I
l. when the committee will report concern
ing the hall
There will be a number of state meet
,. ings this afternoon 20 perfect Organiza
tion and prepare resolutions.