Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-25
The Majority Of the Committee on
Resolutions at Louisville.
BLOW At THE FREE COINAGE MEN
Meeting Of the Congressional Dis
trict Delegations.
THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS
Special From STAFF Correspondent.


kept open at the various hotels. and he wire
pullers were at work fixing their deals for
today. Senator Joe Blackburn presided
over the free silver headquarters, and coat
less ard perspiring, but ever genial and
magnetic, welcomed the incoming delega-
uons, while behind him was Phil Thompson
of Washington, and the free silver candi-
date for governor, Gen. Harding, was close
at hand. The sound money people made
Clay's headquarters their rallying point,
and Mr.. Van Senden, Secretary Carlisle's
private secretary; Superintendent johnson
of the bureau of engraving and printing,
and Mr.. Sam. Gaines of the Treasury De-
partment represented the national admin
istration, conducting campaigns in the
enemy's territory.
The sensation of the evening was the
Withdrawal of Lieut.. Gov Afford from the
governorship race He is a sound money
man.
In the card of withdrawal he said: The
results of the primaries now known
seem to indicate that the democratic party
is willing to make either Mr.. Clay or Gen,
Hardin its nominee. Prior to my an
nouncement l felt ard now feel, that, all
other things being equal one of these gen.
tlemen should be preferred. Besides, in the
present critical condition of the party
am unwilling to be the leastwise disturb
ing element in the deliberations of the
state convention For these reasons and
L
desire to recall the declarations made in
my interview, in so far they made me a
candidate, even in the qualified sense in
tended"
Change in Tone.
AS the evening wore along there was .
change in the tone of the silver men. They
indicated an intention not to ciamor FOR the
16 to 1 ratio, but to leave that unsettled,
contenting themselves with demanding the
free coinage of silver at a ratio subsequent
1y to be fixed and the making of silver a
money of primary redemption. The sound
money men do not place any confidence in
this apparent step toward a compromise
believing that If the silver men find q
strong sentiment in the convention for
their side they will proceed to the most
radical ends.
The silver men will probably follow the
policy as outlined in these dispatches yes
terday and will make a desperate effort
to nominate Hardin before platform has
been adopted, whether or not they secure
control of the Temporary organization.
This will be vigorously opposed by the
sound money men. who believe that 1t
would be a serious mistake 10 nominate q
candidate before drafting platform.
Silver Men Boasting.
The silver men were loudly boasting this
morning that they would organize the ccn-
vention The sound money men were Eope-
full of being able to control the meeting,
opponents. The coolest-headed politicians
were not making any bets on either side,
realizing that the contest was a close one
the sound money men were willing 20 set
tie the financial question for the party by
reaffirming the national platform Of 1892
and indorsing the financial course of the
President and Secretary Carlisle. The free
silver people say they may reaffirm the
national platform. but that 20 indorse the
administrations financial policy would be
to virtually accept the gold standard. II
the convention refuses to stand by the
administration it will he upon this ground,
District Delegations Meet.
Shortly before noon the delegations from
the various congressional districts met in
Convention Hall and began the work of
selecting their men for place on the COM
mittees on resolutions and permanent or
ganiZation. This is the beginning of the
fight on the question of platform, and in
each case there was a stubborn contest,
the factions battling for every inch of
ground.
All over the big building the delegations
Were scattered, and from the various rooms
an occasional cheer reached the main hall
showing that one side or another was gain
ing. The factioual leaders We're hard at
work and every little county boss had his
followers around him in an alcove or a
window niche, forming a nucleus of sound
money or free silver strength
A bar room had been established in an
ante-room adjoining the main convention
hall, and was doing a land office business
among the thirsty bourbons
The total number of delegates to the con-
vention is SIS: necessary to choice 44O
BY a count of the county delegations who
come with instructions for governor,
Hardin has a majority of about GD votes
over Clay, but the Clay leaders claim that
their main strength lies among the unin-
structed delegates.
No estimate can be made of the strength
OF the financial factions.
The free silver and Hardin forces selected
Judge w. NJ. Beckner of Winchester as
thelr candidate for temporary chairman.
Judge Beckner Is recognized a shrewd
lawyer and fine parIiamentarian. He has
served In the legislature, in the constitu-
tional convention and part. of term in
Congress.
Committee on Resolutions.
A poll of the congressional delegations
made by The Star correspondent in person
after election of committeeman shows that
of the eleven elective members Of the
committee resolutions eight are now
declared for sound money and three are
for free silver. Two additional members of
the committee on resolutions will be ap-
pointed by the temporary chairman The
poll of the COMMITTEES on resolutions by
delega tons was gwen to The Star corre-
spondent by the leaders Of each delegation
d follows:
First district, Gus Coulter free silver;
silver; third district. John Ray free Sill
yer: fourth district, w. w. Walker. ad-
ministraton man; fifth district, ]. Mather-
ten, sound money; sixth district, Colonel
Elstion. sound money; seventh district,
Arthur Yeager, sound money; eighth dis
trict, Congressman McCreary. sound
money; ninth district, John Sagar, sound
money; tenth district, Jno. p. Salyer,
sound money; eleventh district, Geo. stone,
sound money.
The committee On permanent organization
made up in The same proportion III
these committeeman remain firm to their
present declaration ii means, or course.
that the sound money men are in the lead
on the matter of platform, for even II the
two men at large are appointed from the
silver ranks the committee on resolutions
is still safely for sound money.
Senator BIackburn's Defeat.
The news that the committee on resolu-
tions would be strongly a sound money
body quickly circulated among the silver
men and caused the utmost surprise in
their ranks all through the early morning.