The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-08-05
BLAND'S CHALLENGE.
Will Make a Square Issue With
Missouri Anti-Silverites.
He Says it is Time Silver Men
Should Rule.
TO HAVE A PLATFORM.
Has Propositions for the Conven-
49, 40 I'D
TO HAVE A PLATFORM
Few Delegates Have Arrived for
the Silver Convention.

KANSAS CITY, No, Aug. 5.-A special
to the Star from Pertle Springs, No,
says: "Silver Dick" Bland arrived here
frame the resolutions which will be
adopted by the Democratic silver con-
vention. which meets tomorrow
The advance guard is a small one, not
more than dozen delegates being here.
and barring Senator Cockrell, who lives
here, Bland is the only star attraction on
the ground. Bland, however, has al
ready thrown down the gauntler to the
anti-silver element in the Democratic
state central committee. and it may re-
suit in considerable friction if nothing
more.
Bland had not been here an hour be-
fore he was out in the emphatic declara-
ton to few trusted friends that the time
has arrived when the silver men should
assume control of the party machinery.
For publication, he refused to talk, but
the statement of his declaration of war
is correct. 1t has excited lively COM
ment
This declaration of BANDS is inter-
preted to mean that he proposes to fight
the old committee and endeavor to oust
them and secure new committee favor
able to the white metal. Mr.. Bland is of
clude its work by Wednesday afternoon
most gratifying to the friends of silver
who hold that the ratio of Is to 1 is the
proper basic point upon which to go to
the nation for the fight for free and un-
limited coinage of silver.
Beyond this the x-congressman will
not go. AS the probable selection of the
state central committee for temporary
chairman of the state convention, Bland
| is reserving his fire until tomorrow. He
will speak about an hour in taking
! charge of the silver knights and it is
| quite probable that in addition to acting
| as temporary chairman he will also be
| chairman of the committee on resolu-
| tions.
He proposes to submit for the affirm a.
tiOn of the silver men a platform sha.
will sring with the express declaration
for 16 to l. 1t has been suggested that
he propose to incorporate a plank de-
nouncinR the national bank system and
the national administration.
The state central committee will meet
in the morning to decide upon the tenn
porary organization of the convention,
which will be convened at 12 o'clock
| noon. The committee will probably
name Bland for temporary chairman,
although Judge James Gibson of Kan
sas City, NJ. E. Benton of Newton, and
| J. w. Farris of Laclede, are casually
| mentioned for the honor.
With the convention, after the tenn
pOrarv organization has been completed.
will be left the temporary organization.
! Gov. Stone, it is believed, can have the
| chairmanship if he wants it.
A new scheme was developed today
| whereby the silver men intend to secure
the state machinery and a majority OF
the state committee. The plan is to
let the present committee remain and to
elect one new member from each of the
Is congressional districts and three from
the state at large, making a committee OF
"a members instead of 16 as at present
Then the silver mon would be in a posi-
tio1 to force the fight in the next state
campaign on silver lines.