The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-11-14
SILvERITES IN A SoUABBLE.
THE CONFERENCE At BIRMINGHAM
FAR FROM HARMONIOUS.

The Leaders of the Fusion and Anti
Fusion Elements of the PopuIists
Lock Horns and WrangIe for an
Hour i'm Defiance of the Chairmnn's
Efforts to Restore Order-EN-Con-
gressman sibIey of Pennsylvania
speaks in Favor of the White
Metal.
Birmingham, Ala. Nov. 13.-The honest
election and free silver conference called
by Capt. Kolb 5. NJ. Adams and others
came of on schedule time to-day, and as
forecasted in the State-Herald this morn
ing was stormy in the extreme.
The only speech of any consequence was
delivered by eX-Congressman Joseph c.
Sibley of Pennsylvania, who advocated
free and unlimited independent coinage of
silver at ratio of 10 to 1 in very able
manner. He did not touch upon the sub
ject of the elections, but devoted his whole
speech to the money question.
The storm burst upon the conference at
the conclusion Of Mr.. Slbleys speech and
for a while it looked as though the object
Of the conference would fail OF accom-
plishment. The leaders Of the fusion and
anti-fusion elements of the popullst party
locked horns early and for almost an hour
the wrangling continued, the chair striv-
ing in vain to restore order.
Mr.. Bowman's resolution. declaring
honest elections paramount to all other
issues pitched the meeting, which hither-
to had been quiet and orderly, into the
midst Of wrangle that apparently would
not end without engendering some bit
terness.
1t was not the intention of the leaders
to effect an organization. their desire be-
ing to hold an informal conference, for
the purpose of considering matters per-
tanning to honest elections, and the free
coinage of silver. But the chaos into
which it was thrown by Mr.. Bowmans S
resolutions rendered organization impera-
tive
The election Of Mr.. Adams as temporary
chairman restored order for a while but
at the afternoon session, when the COM
mittee submitted its report on permanent
organization, the storm broke out afresh
and another half hour was passed in run
ming debates between the fusionists and
the anti-fusionists. At the forenoon ses-
sion the defeat Of Mr.. Bowman's resolu-
ton was construed as a defeat for the
fusionists, but they apparently took ad-
vantage of the recess, and In the after
noon. united their followers and won a
victory over the antis
s. NJ. Adams was recognized s the cam
dlQdle OF the anus IOE chairman, ana MS
defeat registered the defeat of his fac
tion.
The conference was apparently harmo-
MUS at the close but underneath the sur
face were several sores that may cause
trouble to the leaders In the coming cam
paign. Some were heard by State-Her-
aid reporter to say they never would vote
for republican nominee, nor for anyone
by whom he was nominated.
The conference was called to order in
Seals hall, at II O'Clock, by State Sem
ator Goodwin, who introduced ex-Con-
gresham Joseph c. Sibley of Pennsyl-
yania, who made one Of the best speeches
ever heard in Birmingham He was lis
tened to with marked attention and was
frequently applauded.
In closing his speech Mr.. Sibley said
he would not be a candidate for any Of
fee, but would work in the ranks for the
cause of free silver.
State Senator Goodwin thanked Mr.. Sib-
ley for his speech.
In response to a question of a dele
gate, Mr.. Sibley said that should the
democrats nominate a good free silver
man on a silver platform, he would sup
port the nomination.