The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-16
DEMOCRATS DIVIDE.
Dissensi0n and Strife Among
Missouri Democrats.
They Cannot Agree on the
Silver Question.
TWO REPORTS MADE.
Supreme Judge and School Sup
erintendent Nominated.

KANSAS CITY, May 16.-After a fight
lasting from ? o'closk yesterday after
noon until IL o'clock last night, and
waged with great bitterness.
the resolutions committee appointed
by the state Democratic con-
vention assembled at the
Auditorium, submitted two reports
One signed by all but four members
of the committee, declared for a res
toration of the silver coinage laws
prior to 1873 The minority report
Endorsed the platform adopted at Chi
cago in 1892.
Shortly after midnight the fight
was removed from the committee
room at the Coates house to the con-
vention hall. At 3:15 o'clock the con-
vention adjourned, without adopting
either report.
To Congressman Richard p. Bland
is due the credit, of this condition of
affairs. He came on fEom Washing
ton to make a fight for the free coin
age of silver at 10 to /. He made it
and the result is to be developed
During the early part of the even
ing Francis M. Black was nominated
for supreme judge by reclamation
and w. Il. Darlington was named as
the Democratic candidate for superin-
tendent of schools on the first ballot
Save for the heat it was an enjoy
able day; alike for visitor and dele
gate. While there were no genuine
sensations the convention was never
uninteresting. From the time when
Temporary Chairman Trimble said
I'VE are not here to create presi-
den tial posi- bilities; not here to frame
a platform for the nation" thus
sounding defiance to Bland and the
ultra silver men, until the close of the
night session every man was on the
qui vive.
The nearest approach to a sensa-
ton occurred when Major Henry
Newman mentioned the name of
Grover Cleveland. Twice there were
indications. of Ill feeling, but this
soon passed off.
OF course the great interest of the
day was conferred in the commit ee
platform and resolutions and it's re-
port The three Offices the conven-
ton had to fill would never have at
tracted anything like the attendance
tn at came from every section of the
state expressly to influence the party
voice on national questions.
Everybody knew that the silver
question was going to be introduced
in some way in the conventions de-
alterations, and the two great dlvl-
sions of bitme tallists had marshalled
each its utmost strength to maintain
it's own views. The administration
men, or conservatives, under the lead
of Ex-Governor Francis were prepared
to insist that the CONVENTION should
simply reiterate the national platform
of 1892, and leave the further trea t
ment of the problem to congress and
future national conventions
Opposed to them were the straight
out free coinage advocates, under
Congressman Bland and Governor
1~ek a 1r.i%
demand made for free and unlimited
coinage of silver dollars at the ratio
of sixteen to one, according to the law
prior to 1873
The two factions seemed very equal
" divided, and the contest for SUI
morning and ontinued all day long
The first notes of discord were
sounded in the district caucuses at
$3.50 a m
The selection of representatives for
the committee on platform and reso-
never stopped till the committee final
ly decided upon its report at nearly
1880 at night
The Fight on Resolutions.
The first trial of strength between
the two factions came on the question
of the craftsmanship Mr.. Bland and
Mr.. Harder were the candidates, and
the former was chosen by vote of
to 6, the nine being Mckee, Johnson,
Suddath. Bland, McDearmon. Smith,
Orr, Stone and Grosvenor.
r. G. Frost was chosen secretary
and the committee at once proceeded
to the business in hand. of which
there proved to be plenty. Chairman
Bland had brought a typewritten set
of resolutions with him and intro
duced it at once. Among the articles
was, of course, the inevitable PROPOSE
ton to restore the silver laws to the
conditions existing prior to 1873.
This provoked endless discussion,
suggested by the Francis men, who
would not give in. They gained a
convert, too, in Grosvenor, and the
votes were invariably to :.
When Governor Stone was sent for
to take the craftsmanship of the con-
vention, he appointed Colonel NJ E.
Benton of Neosho to act as his proxy,
but it made no difference whatever
of course in the voting.
The committee labored on steadily
for four hours. or until : o'clock, when
an ad jOurnment for supper was taken,
and after that it resumed it's work at
$50 and continued hard at it for three
hours more. Finally at 1890 the in
evitable came. The minority party
gave in. Three of its members went
over to the majority, leaving Francis,
Frost, Kerr and Harder to draw up
report of their own. With deep
drawn signs of relief the committee
at last emerged from its room at the
Coates house and started for the con-
vention-
The committee arrived at the Audi.
torium in the midst of q roll call for
nominations for railroad commits
sioner- The roll call was interrupted
immediately and the convention be-