Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-20
TRAITS, RATS
Was the Chorus of Derision
That Greeted Brice
At Ohio Pandemonium of Democrats
Who Jeered
The U. S. Senate, and Howsd and Voted for
Free Silver.

| Columns, o., Sept. l9,-The D,mo,
cratic State convention met re tins m 'rl
ing, The delegates compile ely fill thu
parquet, while the balcony AID galleries
were packed to their utmost cipacity witt
visiting and local members of the Democ-
racy.
| Just before the convention was called to
order, Congressman Thomas L. johnson,
the leader Of the Brice opposition, marched
| in with the second district delegation, and
was given an ovation.
A moment later, Senator Brice appeared
in company with Chairman Critics and
stepped slowly across the stage. His recep-
ton was rather cool, the applause beint
light and largely confined to the gallery.
Hon. Frank II. Hurd was introduced At
temporary chairman, and received 4 rous-
ing welcome. He spoke for an hour.
at the Democratic State convention,
best orators of the party, said: (which
one of YOU looks upon the United Statee
Senate as displaying the best intelligence
aud minifes.ing the greatest patriot sm:
Nobody. When Senator of the United
States is to be elected, the ques.ion~is Mt
longer What are lis talents; what service
has he done the State but How much is
he worth""
Pandemorium broke out when the speaker
had gotten thus far, and the majority of the
delegates and spectators cheered themselves
hoarse, while others Kissed. The speaker
raised his voice above the tumult and con-
tiuued: "In this republic should the
length of mans head be measured by
the length of his purse? No, this question
rises above men and above party. It's
question of country, You all know that
the Senate of the Upitel States has become
mere rich mans club. It's the resting
place Of trusts and combines to defeat the
rights of the people great cheering.
All of you know III the Senate
of the United States the sugar trust raised
its hydra head and in the name of the com
munity of trusts seized the national Dem
ocracy by the throat and compelled it to
stand and deliver"
Here pandemonium broke out afresh.
There were cheers, Kisses, shouts OF
sRats," go on" "Sit down." Twenty
points of order were raised, and on every
one the Chair ruled the speaker within his
rights. The majority kept up the demon
stration and finally Mr.. Clark resumed bis
seat.
Meanwhile Senator Brice sat with flushed
face in full view of the audience, now ner
vously chewing toothpick and again and
again running his left hand through bis
long hair. 1t was apparent he had not ex
pected the opposition would fire such a
fusilade, but he did not propose to retreat
while under attack.
Jessie M. Lewis Urbana, appealed to
the convention not be led away by emo
tional insanity and was met with
howls of derision. lie said the senator
who had been assaulted WAS entitled
to consideration, and he pleaded that the
Democracy of Ohio ought not to execute a
man first and try him afterwards. Nv ont
you defer judgment Tor a year, he asked,
and the answer came in a mighty shout OF
"No''
Then Gen. Finlay, Bucyrus, chairman of
the committee on resolutions, secured the
floor, to dramatically declare the resolution
was en- indirect slap in the face of
the man of all men who in the Senate
of the Upited States made tariff re-
form d possibility, who had stood between
the people and the Mckinley law. The
resolution, he said, was an Insult TO the
Democracy of Ohio. Facing Congressman
. johnson, he demanded: ''Do you indorse
all your associate, Mr.. Clark, 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 its hearts content.
Judge Il. ID. Marshall, Dayton, made O.
witty plea for peace and postponement of
the controversy to a more convenient sea-
son. Then Congressman johnson closed
the debate. Il have no i'll feeling toward
, or suspicion of Col. Brice," he declared
s'He is my friend. l am counted in fi1
, circle. He visits my house, visit his. l
hope we will long continue to do SO. l
! don't believe he bought his seat in the
United States Senate, have said so line
, and again. Nor do believe the tariff bill
just passed was the best bill for the coun-
try. believe Col. Brice thought so and
} he voted for it honestly This was pour
ing oil on the troubled waters and the
, friends of the senator cheered again and
, again.
The previous question was demanded
and before vote could be reached another
| sensation was sprung in the form of a min
GRITTY report on the silver plank. This read
I'VE believe in honest money, the coinage
! of both gold and silver and q circulating
medium convertible into such money with
out ioS5- we die oPPooNu " Aec, uuiih'-
, tied and independent coinage of siver under
such les islative restrictions as will maintain
the circulation of gold and silver on par
, ity; we reaflirm the doctrine of the national
Democratic platform of 1892 upon the sub
ject of currency and money
The debate upon this substitute was not
"a the one which preceded it. Allen W.
, Thurman denounced the substitute as a
t cowardly makesbift, and declared gold men
: did not dare honestly to proclaim them
selves as such. Lewes May, Cincinnati,
, warned the delegates that the adoption Of a
free silver plank in the platform would
j.. bury the party under an avalanche in
| November.
The roll was called on the adoption of
, the substitute, aud the result was For
, substitute, $40 CLIO; against, 4SS 4-l0.
Free silver won by majority of l4S, and
friends of the white metal made the dome
! ring with jubilant shouts.
, When the excite ment subsi1ed, an add
ton to the platform, providing for the cleo
ton of United States Senators by the peo-