The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-08-06
BLAND AS CHAIRMAN.
The Missouri Democratic Silver
Convention Organizes.
Richard P. Bland is Made Tenn
pOrary Chairman.
SOUNDS THE KEYNOTE.
Says Convention Will Declare
for the Is to 1 Ratio.
Fight to Control Central Com
mittee Inspiring Yet.

PERTLK SPRINGS, Mo-, Aug. 6.-The
state central committee held a meeting
this morning and selected "Silver Dick''
Bland as the temporary chairman OF the
silver convention, which meets at 12
o'clock. Lew Love of Springfield was
made secretary. These nominations
were ratified and the committee immedi-
ately adjourned. This move of adjourn
ing without taking action on the rumored
committee changes is taken to be a plan
of the sound money" men to throw the
onus of whatever trouble may later arise
in the Democratic ranks on to the silver
men.
United States Senator Cockrell had an
all night session with the leading msm-
bers of the state central committee in an
attempt to close the breach which seems
to be widening with each hour. Senator
Cockrell is on the conservative" side
and is working for harmony. He sug-
gested that resolution be introduced in
the convention giving the state central
committee ironclad instructions as to
their duties during the state campaign
in 1896.
The members of the committee who
were present, however, were opposed to
any such action, and when the meeting
adjourned no progress had been made
toward cementing the contending fac
tions.
The convention was formally called to
order at noon by John q. Carroll. After
prayer by Rev. DR.. Berry, hr. Carroll
made a few remarks which had ten
dency to harmonize the contending fac
tions and then introduced r. p. Bland
as temporary chairman.
Mr.. Bland congratulated the Demo
cratic party upon the auspicious gath
ering of Democratic hosts for action
upon the free silver question. He said
the Democrats of Missouri had met to
renew their pledges for bimetallism.
The Democrats of Missouri, he
| said, send graetings- to the Demo
Gratis of Illinois with regard to the
declarations already made on this SUBJ
ject. "We have met" he said, 'to de-
clare for the free coinage of silver at a
ratio of 16 to 1, and we will do what our
constituents have sent US here to do"
After the usual committees were select
| ed, the "free silver jubilee singers" of
Warrensburg. entertained the conven-
ton with several free silver songs,
| Colonel W. F. Switzler, of Bonneville.
representing the free silver Democratic
editors of Missouri, who met ut Sedalia
recently, then addressed the convention,
! the fight for the white metal,
After Colonel Switzler had concluded
his remarks the convention adjourned
until 2 o'clock without the contention
| with regard to the state central commit
| tee having made its appearance
The convention will probably conclude
| its work tonight
After the convention adjourned the
committee on permanent organization
met and decided to make the temporary
organization permanent. Then the wedge
which may end in dividing the party
| in Missouri was inserted in way oi
a resolution providing for an
| increase in the number of state commit
teemen. The resolution adds one mem
ber from each congressional district and
four at large.
The chairman is hereafter to be
elected by the regular state nom.
mating convention. The resolu-
ton was unanimously adopted in
committee. The temper of the conven-
tion will be tried on this question when
it meets again this afternoon. Nothing
was done by the committee on resolu-
tions during the recess.
The convention convened promptly at
I 2 o'clock and tho temporary organiza-
tion made permanent.
/ The resolutions for an increase of the
state central committee were then read
The vote resulted in an over
| whelming majority in favor OF
the increase. The free silver
men had such an easy victory that the
1 report as a whole was then adopted
The committee On resolutions not beins
ready to report, the convention took
short recess.