The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-16
ONLY TWO AGAINST.
Little Opposition to the Missouri
Silver Convention.
The Date August 6, and Place
Pertle Springs.
TO BE 600 DELEGATES.
Chairman Mafit Explains His
Course in Calling Meeting.

ST. LOUIS, NO. July 1o.-Dy d HOUO -
IL to the Democratic state central
committee decided to call state silver
convention. The convention will be
held at Pertle Springs. The date fixed
was August 6, 1895. ]. B. Thomas OF
the Third and A. c. Steuver of the
Tenth district, were the only ones vot-
ing against the proposed convention.
Chairman Mafitt cast his own vote and
two proxies which he held for con-
vention. On June the committee met
and voted 10 to 5 against holding a con-
ventiOn to consider the financial ques-
ton and this change has been brought
about by the friends of silver, who
have been agitating the question ever
since.
On the assembling of the committee
Chairman Maffit in explanation of his
course said: Early in May, about the
5th to the 10th, the chairman read ar
ticles in certain newspapers stating
that the Democrats of the state wanted
the committee con vened to call a con-
ventiOn to take action on the money
question. As it has been usual to call
meeting about June L, L waited
twenty days to see what course mat
ters would take. l was under ire all
the time. On May 20 I called the
meeting for June 1. The question was
discussed. Only eleven counties had
responded, and when the question of
holding a convention was put to vote
it was lost by vote of 10 to 5. The
committee was not in favor of holding
convention in an off year.
subsequently, both by letter, per-
sonal solicitation and through the
press, 1 was requested to re-cOnvene
the committee. On June %, I received
1,oi7
Farris of Laclede county, stating that
he had a number of communications
he would like to lay before the state
committee. 1 met Mr.. Farris at the
Laclede hotel that afternoon and IN
formed him that the chairman would
not consider any communication he
might have. told Mr.. Farris I would
re-convene the committee at the re-
quest of majority of the mem bers.
explained to b i'm that would require
a majority because a ma Ority of the
committee had already voted against
holding the convention. Furthermore
as a concession and in a spirit of fair
| ness said I would convene the com
| mittee as soon as majority OF the
| counties had been heard from.
II then told Mr.. Farris that on Sat
urday 1 would issue circular to the
chairmen of the county committees to
facilitate the work of securing their
desires on this point. 1 was taken
sick, however, and was not able to is
sue the circular until Tuesday. Dur
ing that interval l was under cOntin-
ual fire, even though it was known
that I was sick. Then the work Of
filing out the circular began and in a
short time the chairman of the state
committee received replies from the
chairmen of a majority of the county
committees, and asking that the COM
| mittee be reconvened.
without delay, and conceding sew
eral points, the chairman Immediately
wired the secretary to reconvene the
committee. The chairman had not
these replies in his possession an hour
when he wired instructions to the sec
rotary. This is why I called the con-
| vention."
The vote was then taken on an ad-
! journment until 8 o'clock. Upon re-
converting at p. m, s. B. Cook moved
that Tuesday, August 6, be fixed as the
time for holding the convention. Il
was carried unanimously and the COM
| mittee then went into executive ses-
sion.
In executive session the committee
fixed the basis of representation in the
convention at one delegate to every 500
votes and fraction over $50 of the Cleve-
| land vote of 1892. This will make a
convention of about 600 delegates. The
| chairman and secretary were instruct
ed to prepare and issue the official call.
The committee then adjourned.