The herald., 1894-05-16
SILVER DICKS BOOM STARTED
Mr.. Bland Is a Presidential
Candidate.
Governor Stone tiives Him q Strong
Enforcement.
Great Enthusiasm In tho Missouri Dem.
ocraGic State Convention for the
white Metals Able
Champion.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
KANSAS Cry, May 15.-Governor
Stone unqualifedly launched the presi-
Dental boom for "Silver Dick" Bland
in the Missouri state convention here
today. The temporary chairman, j. N.
Trimble, after q long-continued row in
the committee on resolutions, sought to
make matters smooth in his opening
speech to the convention, by declaring
that state conventions did not meet to
decide national issues or to nominate a
presidential candidate, nor to create
presidential possibility.
When Governor Stone, who was made
permanent chairman, arose to make his
talk. about the first thing he uttered was
denial OF Trimble's propositions.
State conventions, he declared, express
the thought OF the people. which was
crysta(lized at national conventions. II
was sorry that rumor made him 8 can
didste for United States senator, a posi-
ton he did not seek. When he retired
from the governorship, he said emphatic
ally, it would be to return to private life.
But regarding the report which con-
nected Congressman Bland with the
presidential nomination of 1896, he
wished to say that the people could not
nominate q more conscientious, faithful
and devoted servant. No better man
had ever been elected to public Office.
He WAS worthy of the highest conf
deuce. And if the speaker ever had an
opportunity he would gladly support
him, as he would any other honest
representative western Democrat for
that high Office.
The convention had scarcely assem-
bled for its afternoon session when there
were loud calls for BLAND" from all
parts OF the house. The delegates won Id
not be quieted until they were told Mr..
Bland was busy in the committee room
and could not be seen tonight.
The principal fight in the committee
on resolutions was over the adoption of
the silver plank. The members were
willing to pass over the questions OF in
dorsing the Democratic national admin
istration, but Governor Stone and Con
gresham Bland were fat-iooted for a
silver plank in the platform, and no COM
promise.
The governors remarks on this snb-
ject before the convention indicated that
his side was in the minority in the COM
mittee, as be told tbs convention it was
for them to say, and not for a majority
or minority of the ommittee, whether
or not they were favorable to bime all
ism.
"Have you any opinion on this ques-
ton Pr said the governor, addressing
the delegates.
Loud and repeated cries of eyes" was
the response.
I'VE want to demonstrate" added the
governor, that Wall street cam 1T cor
rupt, coerce nor debauch the Democ-
.acy OF Missouri"
Mayor Webster Davis, the Repu blican
executive OF the city, made the welcom-
ing address to tine convention. He was
loudly cheered at the close of his re-
marks.
Responding to call during in lull in
the proceedings. Ar Hall took the floor,
He was in favor of a free and unlimited
coinage of silver but did not believe it
was the duty OF the Missouri Democracy
to make an exposition of that principle
in its platform That, he belivsd was
the work of deeg ates. properly instruct
ed by their constituents, to the national
convention.
Congressman Tareney came next and
confined himself ~ the tariff, incident.
ally eulegizing President Cleveland,
whom he called the apostle of tariff re-
form, and giving Senator Hill side
winding thrust.
There WAS a Valley Forge before
Yorktown" be went "a, "a Bull Run
before Appomattox," and then, with
measured emph 4sis, there was Bsne-
DICT Arnold before Gentlemen of the
convention, pardon nae if legislative
courtesy forbids me to carry the parallel
further"
Here the convention shouted loudly
and repeatedly, Hill"
AS the committee ON resolutions was
not ready to report the convention pro-
ceeded to the nominations, but before
these were completed the com mittee on
resolutions arrived, about 1890 and
were ready to report. Two reports were
submitted.
Following is the financial plank Of ths
majority report:
" hereas, The constitution of the
United States provides that congress
shall have power to coin money, regulate
the value thereof and of for
eign coins. and also provides
that no state snail coin money
or make anything but gold and silver
coin legal tender in payment of debts,
hence we declare it to be u duty enjoined
upon congress by the constitution to
coin both gold and silver money for the
use OF the people OF the states; that
congress has no rightful power to refuse
the coinage of either metal.
We therefore demand the free BIZ
metallic coinage of both silver and gold
and the restoration of the bmetslliC
standard as it existed under our laws
for over 80 years prior to the demone-
tizstion of the standard silver dollar in
1873, and should it become necessary. in
order to maintain thu two metals in cir
culation, to readjust the ratio, it should
be deter mined whether gold has risen OF
silver has fallen, and whether there
should be a change of the gold dollar OF
OF the silver dollar, or of both, to the
end that whatever ratio is adopted. the
rights OF both creditor and debtor shall