The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-15
JONES IN THE CHAIR.
Delaware the Only Eastern
State Represented by a
Delegate.
OBJECT OF THE GATHERING
1t Is Sought to Commit the Party
to Free Coinage in the
Convention.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 1.-THE
conference of Democrats. favorable to the
free coinage of silver began at noon to-day
at the Metropolitan Hotel, the session be-
ing secret. The object is to effect an or
ganization within the party strong enough
to dominate the next National Democratic
convention and to commit the party to
free coinage in the next National platform.
Two hours before the meeting Of the
conference the lobby and parlors of the
hotel were filed with weIl-known public
men, known as favoFing the extended use
OF silver as a money metal. Senator Jones
of Arkansas, who was to be presiding Off
Ger, sat in the reading-room explaining
the object of the meeting to an interested
lot Of listeners. Senator Harris of Ten
nessee and Senator Daniel of Virginia had
q private consultation relative to the pro-
ceedings of the conference in the room of
the former. Ex-senator Walsh of Georgia
discussed the issue in question with a
number Of delegates in the lobby. The
Illinois and Missouri delegations arrived
at the hotel early and were introduced to
their colleagues from the South. Ex-Rep-
resentative Brookshire OF Indiana, Repre-
sentative Livingston Of Georgia and Repre-
sentative Cox of Tennessee discussed with
delegates from other sections the advisa-
bility of the proposed move, while dele-
gates not so well known listened atten-
lively to their more experienced brethren.
Senator Jones, in opening, said that the
conference had met in accordance with the
call which explained its purpose. He
wanted to see a silver militia organized to
cope with the gold forces. The rollcall
showed nineteen States represented with
the following delegates: Virginia Is, West
Virginia 2, Arkansas 8, Colorado 3, South
Carolina l. North Carolina 8, Illinois IA,
Florida 4, Tennessee 4, Alabama 4, Ohio l,
Georgia ., Missouri IA, Indiana 2 Della
ware /. Maryland 3, Kentucky l, Missis-
sidpi I and North Dakota 1. 1t was stated
that three additional States would be rep
resented before adjournment.
After the rollcall Senator Harris sug-
gested that the business of the convention
be properly outlined. Senator Daniel of
Virginia offered the following resolution,
which was agreed to:
RESOLVED, That committee be appointed by
the chairman, of such a number as he sees I,
to prepare programme of the proceedings and
resolutions and report the same to the con-
ference at an adjourned meeting, to be held at
4 o'clock to-day. The chairman of the con-
ference shall be ex-oficio memper of this
committee.
After the adoption of the resolution a
recess for thirty-five minutes was taken to
allow Chairman Jones to prepare the CON-
mittee. After the recess Chairman Jones
announced the following committee of one
from each State represented: Missouri,
Governor Stone and H. NJ. Hill North
Carolina, Senator Jarvis; Illinois, w. II.
Hinrichsen; Indiana, A. w. Clarke;
Georgia, ex-senator Walsh; Alabama, J.
Johnson; Tennessee, E. NJ Carmack;
Virginia, Senator Daniel; Kentucky, W.
Woodson; Colorado, A Newell; North
Dakota, W. D. Bierly; Ohio, P. S. Yoder;
Delaware, J. F. Sanesbury; Maryland, NJ.
H. Pullman; Wisconsin, w. Stocksdale;
South Carolina, J. f. TrentIen; West Vir-
ginia, J. J. Cromwell; Texas, ex-senator
P. Hare; Arkansas, Senator Jones; Flor
ida, J. S. Beard.
After the announcement of the COM
mittee the conference adjourned until
o'clock. The committee on programme
and resolutions, after three hours ses-
II,
ton that progress had been made but it
was found impossible to report the resolu-
fions in the short time elapsed since ad-
jo1rnment, but that report would be
ready for the conference tomorrow morn
ing.
Senator Daniel, in accordance with the
agreement reached by the committee on
programme, reported the proceedings and
asked the conference to adjourn until 10
A. M. Tomorrow, at which time they ex-
pected to be able to report. The request OF
Senator Daniel met prompt compliance,
and the conference adjourned until 10
O'Clock tomorrow.
There are about eighty-five delegates in
attendance upon the conference. Promi-
nent among those present this morning
were Senators Harris and Jones, who
Joined in issuing the call, Senators Jarvis
of North Carolina and Call of Florida, ex-
Senator Walsh of Georgia. The East has
but single representative, from Delaware.
Ex-Representative Gresham was at the
hotel, but refused to take part In the
gathering. Prominent by reason OF their
absence were Senator Turpie of Indiana,
who was the third signer of the call; ex
Representative Bland of Missouri, named
to bead the delegation from that State;
ex-Representative Sioley of Pennsylvania,
the candidate of the Bimetallic League for
President, and x-Representative Bryan OF
Nebraska, the free-silyer missionary to the
South.
Speeches were made In the conference
committee by Governor Stone of Missouri,
Senators Harris, Call, Daniel, Jarvis, ex-
Senator Walsh and others. After long
discussion subcommittee consisting of
Messrs. Stone, Hinrichsen, Walsh, Jones,
Jarvis, Carmack and Daniel was appointed
to prepare an address and present plan
OF National organization to be submitted to
the general conference tomorrow. Up to
a late hour the resolutions and addresses
had not been completed. The corridors of
the Metropolitan Hotel were crowded all
the evening with persons anxious to hear
their purport.
T1La -ocoiar, -