Mexico weekly ledger., 1895-07-18

Chairman Maffitt asked for an ex-
preston from some of those who We're
advocating an early convention, but
none came forward, and Congressman
Hall appeared to plead for time for a
campaign of the State.
All eyes were turned ON the con-
spicuous congressional figure as he
arose. His speech created something
of a sensation, and he proceeded with
out the least hesitancy to pledge his
services for the campaign from the
day the convention was called until it
was held.
"The convention that you gentle
men have decided to call by your last
vote is, in my mind" began Congress-
man Hall, "one of the most important
that have been called since the war,
whether we consider it from the
standpoint of the principles involved
or the effect upon our own party. 1
beg to remind you, gentlemen, that in
fixing the time for this convention
you are being solicited to fix a late
date, not by political enemies, not by
Republicans or Populists, but by life
long Democrats who have ever been
and eve expect to be true to the party
and its interests; and the election of
last year admonishes us that we can
not at this time spare any of our own
party or have dissensions in our ranks
and expect to win.
"The Democratic voters of this
| State want a full and free discussion
| of this subject. If the men that be-
lieve in the United States coming sill
yer free and unlimited at the ratio of
16 to /, irrespective of the action of
all other nations, believe that the peo-
| pie of Missouri are fixed in their con-
v~iction, why do they not consent to put
this convention off until the 1st of No
vember nj fix a date for the primaries
to elect delegates the latter part of Oc-
tober, and the work of educ alton can
then begin? The people of Missouri
want to know but one thing in passing
upon any great political question,
and that is, ''what is right When
they reach that conclusion, they have
then settled the question, and not I'M
til then. If this convention is fixed as
early as the motion just made, to-wit.,
the Sth of August, at the instance of
the Is to 1 silver men of this commit
tee, this means that they dare not
let the sunlight of a full and free dis
cussion be turned upon this subject.
We are here to-day in an amicable,
Democratic and friendly way, with
chips on our shoulders and pleading
for a chance to discuss this matter be-
fore the people fully and exhaustive
ly. VIII they dare give us the chance?
81 seek this opportunity to be given
a chance to speak to the people of the
district and TO the State upon this
subject. If you gentlemen put the
convention at the first part of August,
with the busy harvest season that is
among the farming class and the *
cessively hot weather that is liable to
intervene between now and then, we
can have no hope of any discussion
and the advocates of bimetallism will
let the matter go by default in most
of the counties in the State, instead of
having a full discussion. This ques-
ton will not down, and must be set
tied, and will never be settled until it
is exhaustively discussed before the
people. I ask this committee which
is the better for the Democratic party
in this State: The exhaustive dis
cussion and settlement of this ques-
ton now, or a defaulting convention
ut this time and a full and exhaustive
and bitter discussion of this question
during the year when we have our
State and national tickets to elect? II
this battle Is fought now and a con-
clusion reached, the p~rejudices and