The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-09-20

NoLOAbOoi Oept' AS.-OY large ma
jority the Democracy Of Ohio, in State
convention assembled to day, reversed
the pronuncismentos of all previous
State, as we'll as national, gatherings OF
the party, in declaring unequivocally in
favor OF free silver. By vote almost
as large Endorsement was given through
the maximum Of resolution to the at
titude taken by Senator Calvin S. Brice
In the recent tariff reform contest. The
debate on these two issues occupied
nearly four hours of the continuous $685.
sion. In twelve minutes more the en-
tire ticket had been nominated and the
convention had adjourned sine die.
Probably no more dramatic sceno
has ever been Witnessed in any State
or national convention than that which
occurred during the debate on the
amendment to the platform providing
for the future nominations Of United
States Senators by vote Of the State
conventions. Up to the calling OF the
convention to order 1t had been under.
stood by all but few of the uninitistcd
that the opposition to Senator Brice
had been abandoned and that the ma.
jority report OF the committee on reso.
lutions would be allowed to go through
without amendment or protest.
This much at least was the under
standing OF the Senator and his immedi-
ate circle, and it was with self-satis-
fled air and the bearing of q victor that
Mr.. Brice entered the wings and allowed
himself to be escorted by Chairman
Critics to seat on the right of the chair
and in full view Of the audience.
His appearance was recognized with
full applause, and, the convention hav-
ing been called to order, everything
went as merry as marriage bell until
the report OF the committee on resolu-
lions had been presented. Then the
storm clouds began to gather, and the
glare of the footlights seemed to bring
the form OF the junior Senator into bold
relief. From his seat in the second row
OF the parquet, Congressman Tom l..
Johnson arose, and, ignoring the vocif-
erous demands that he should take the
stage, submitted the minority resolu ton,
instructing the incoming State commit.
tee to include in the business of the
next convention the nomination of
United States Senator.
This WAS the formal announcement
OF hostilities. All eyes seemed to turn
instinctively toward the junior Senator.
For moment hia face flushed and he
chewed nervously at the tootpick be-
tween his teeth. Then he Strengthened
himself up and his demeanor indicated
the possession and the utmost deter
mination and resolution. The repre-
sentative from the Cleveland district,
however, had little to say in addition
to the formal presentation of the mi
nority report save the suggestion that
election of Senators by the people
would bring the constituents and their
representatives. in the upper house
more closely together and that this
was contamination necessary and
very much to be desired.
1t was the seconding speech OF John
ii. Clark, OF Youngstown, one OF the
best orators in the State and a bitter
opponent OF the Brice regime, that sent
the excitement to fever heat. Standing
hair shone in the glare OF the footlights,
with outstretched arm and index finger
quivering, hurting invective after in
vective, while less than fifteen feet away
with Brice pale and expressionleBs, sat
the object of his wrath and denuncia-
ton. the scene was we'll worth the brush
and canvas Of the painter.
Senator Brice sat immovable. The
accuser was quivering the accused
might be likened to block of marble.
No direct reference to him had been
made up to this time. 1t remained for
his first spokesman, Jesse M. Lewis, Of
Urbana. to make personal reference
to the Senator and to plead that the
Democracy OF Ohio ought not to execute
a man first and try him afterward.
Wont you defer judgment for
year?" he asked, but the answer came
in mighty shout Of mo" Then Gen
eral Finlay. OF Bucyrus, chairman of
the committee on resolutions, secured
the floor to dramatically declare that
the resolution was an indirect slap in
the face OF the man and all men who, In
made tariff reform possibility and who
had stood between the people and the
Mckinley law.
Facing Congressman Johnson, he de-
manded: "Do you endorse all that your
associate, Mr.. Clarke, has said? put
yourself on record. Let it be yes or no;
here and now"
There was no response except from
the audience which yelled Rats" and
other choice expressions, and hooted to
It's hearts content
Judge R. Marshall, of Dayton, made
witty plea for peace and the postpone
mont OF the controversy to more con-
venient season, and then Congressman
J Johnson was permitted to close the de-
bate.
II have no i'll feeling toward or sus-.
picion OF Colonel Brice," he declared.
"He is my friend and 1 am counted in
his circSe. He visits my house and
visit his, and 1 hope we will long con.
tinue to do 80. do not believe that he