The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-26
Blackburn "Sat Down Ono by His
Own District and Kept on the
Resolutions Committee.
AN ALL-NIGHT WRANGLE
FIGHT IN THE CONVENTION OVER
THE REPORT ON CREDENTIALS.
'Honest Money" Platform Ready. but
Its Reading DeIayed-Clay Men
Scheming for Time.
Special to the indianapolis .1ourna,

Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal.
LOUISVILLE. June 25.-Rarely has a
State convention been held in the country
which is attracting so wide attention as
that which packed Music Hall to suffoca-
ton to-day. Every county is represented
by delegates and alternates Considering
mat the free coinage OF silver was the
issue raised by the Blackburn leaders six
weeks ago. one mingling among the dele
gates is surprised that it has no loud ad-
vocates. Men who were for free coinage
few weeks ago are now content to leave
that issue to the general government.
Good judges say to-day that proposition
10 demand the free coinage of silver such
as Senator Blackburn carried through the
Democratic convention four years ago by
decided majority. could not get one
fourth of the delegates of this convention.
Men who were elected as free-coinage del
egates little over a week ago now con-
ciude that the conservative policy of in
dorsing the Chicago platform of 1892 is
better for the party.
1t was not until yesterday that the
friends of sound money ascertained that
they had a majority of the delegation in
Senator Blackburn's district. He as good
as demanded that he be selected TO repre-
olutions, but when the vote was counted
he was in the minority. This is regarded
as a fatal setback for Blackburn. His
friends demanded that he be made one
of the two members at large of that COM
mittee, with Senator Lindsay, but the
temporary chairman, though. elected as a
Hardin man, absolutely refused, but gave
Senator Lindsay as colleague a conserva-
tive silver man who would reaffirm the
platform of the national Democratic con-
vention.
While the success OF Judge Beckner in
dicates the nomination of Hardin, it in
no manner expresses the opinion of the
convention on the currency question
Beckner is what they call in Kentucky a
sound-money man, but he was committed
to General Hardin long time ago.. as
were many delegates who would vote
against free-silver proposition. Many
soundmoney men prefer Hardin. He is a
stumper, orator, and the Kentucky
Democracy delight I'm "tle silver-tongued"
Besides. the Democratic candidate must
confront one of the ablest campaigners in
the country in the person of Colonel Brad
ley, the Republican candidate for Governor.
Just now the Democratic managers are
engaged in attempting to salve the wounds
caused by the battle for the control of the
State convention. They are anxious to
get together. TO forget the hard words
and the skull-cracking blows. There is,
however. an element which denounces
Blackburn and Hardin. The Louisville
Post couples these names with Altgeld
and Senator Stewart. The element it rep
resents demands the Endorsement of the
administration and stigmatizes it as cow
ardice not to do so. They cry out for the
slaughter Of Blackburn. So far as Black
burn is concerned, it seems to be very
general opinion that he cannot be re-
elected to the Senate. He had made enc
mics before he began his present canvass
for free silver, and now he has arrayed
the best and most influential men in the
party against him. Ex-Governor Buckner
is likely to be his successor unless the Re-
publicans should carry the Legislature.
But in spite of the efforts OF the peace
makers very ugly feeling will survive
the convention. To-day leading Democrats,
men prominent in the party. were heard to
declare that they should vote for Colonel
Bradley for Governor as the better and
safer man if General Hardin. who.' next
to Blackburn, Is chiefly responsible for
the fight Which has divided the party into
two hostile factions, is nominated for
Governor.
Blackburn's friends cursing Senator
Stewart, of Nevada, roundly for going to
Kentucky to help joe" They say that
he came unlimited, but that his coming
lost Blackburn and the free-coinage ele-
ment the battle.
The Republican leaders are watching ev-
cry move of the convention. because they
IL - tIr
Democrats to harmonic their differences
and rally the party strength to the polls
in November.