Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-05-16
SILVER DICK BLAND.
The Way they Call Him In the Missouri
state.

The Way they Call Him In the Missouri
state.
KANSAS CITY, May 16.-Governor Stone
Qualifiedly launched the presidential boom
for '.Silver Dick" Bland in the Missouri
state Democratic convention here. The
temporary chairman, j. Med. Trimble, in
his opening speech to the convention de-
clared that the state convention did not
meet to decide national issues Lor to nomi-
nate presidential candidate. nor to create
presidential possibility. When Governor
Stone, who was made permanent chair
man, arose to make his talk, about the
first thing he uttered was denial of Trim
bie's propositions. State conventions, he
declared. express the thought Of the people
Of the state which was crystalized at ma
tional conventions. He was sorry rumor
made him candidate for United States
senator. position lac did not seek. When
he retired from the governorship. he said
emphatically, /. would be to return to
private life.
says Lot of Good Words for Bland.
But, regarding the report which con-
aec;cd Congressman Bland with the presi.
dental nomination of 1896, he wished to
say that the people could not nominate q
more conscientious, faithful and devoted
servant. No better Ean Ind ever been
elected to public Office. He was worthy of
the highest confidence, and if the speaker
ever had an opportunity he would gladly
support him, Us he would any other honest
representative western Democrat for that
high Office. The convention had scarcely
assem- bled for its afternoon session when
there wree loud calls for BLAND" from all
parts Of the house. The delegates would
not he quoted until they were told that
Bland was busy in the committee rooU
and could not then respond.
Bound TO Have n Silver Plank.
The principal fight in the committee on
resolutions was over the adoption of the
silver plank. The members were willing
10 pass over the question of endorsing tee
Democratic national administration, but
Governor Stone, with Bland, were fiat.
footed for silver plank i'll the platform
and no compromise. The governors re-
marks Oh this subject before the conven-
ton indicated that his side was in the
minority ill the committee, us he told the
convention 1t was for them to say--and
not 4 minority or minority of the COM
AUTHORIZATION or not they were favora-
bic To bimeta!lism. Have you any opin-
ion On this question:" The governor said,
addressing tie delegates. Loud and re-
peated cries of Yes" was the response
Hill Doesn't Agree with Stone.
1--WE want to demonstrate" added the
governor. 'that Wall street cannot cor
rupt. coerce nor debauch the Democracy
Of Missouri"
Mayor Webster Davis. the Republican
executive of the city, made the welcoming
address to the convention. He was loudly
cheered ut the close of his remarks. Re
spending to a call during lull in the pro-
ceedings Congressman Hall took the floor.
He was in favor of u free and unlimited
coinage Of silver, but did not believe it
was the duty of the Missouri Democracy
to make IN exposition Of that principle in
its platform. That, he believed, was the
work Of delegates, properly instructed by
their constituents, to the national conven-
ton.
Tarsney "Aliutcs at" Hill.
Congressman Tarsney came next and
confined himself to the tariff, incidentally
eulOgizing President Cleveland, whom he
called the apostle Of tariff reform. and Civ
ing Hill a side thrust. There was Val
ley Forge before Yorktown" he went
on; "a Bull Run before Appomattox, p"
and then, with measured emphasis,
there was n Benedict Arnold before -,
Gentlemen Of the convention, pardon me
il Legislative courtesy forbids me to carry
the parallel further" Here the conven-
ton roarcd and shouted loudly and re.