The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-23


Silver conventions were launched yester-
day. but neither made much headway.
The program OF the Silver convention
was all arranged in advance. 1t in
cluded simply the adoption OF l6 to 1
platform and the nomination of Bryan
and Sewall, but those in charge Of II
deemed 1t good policy 10 20 slowly. in
the belief that they might by remaining
in session be able to exercise an influence
IN shaping things In the Populist conyen-
ton. To this end they appointed COM
mittee OF seven. headed by Judge Scott
of California. to meet with a similar COM
mittee from the Populists, for the pur-
pose OF reaching a common plan OF ac-
ton.
The idea was perhaps we'll conceived,
although II is doubtful whether their
course will be fruitful OF results. The
anti-Bryan Populists affect to believe
that all ore outside influences. which are
being brought to bear upon them to in
duce them TO accept the nominees of the
Democratic convention are part OF the
same plot to drive their party into the
Democratic trap" and destroy and an
nihilate it's identity. They are deaf to
suggestions, appeals and warnings. The
future has no terrors for the Populist.
I'm the middle of the road" is their re-
ply to every argument, their answer 10
every foreboding. They have convinced
themselves that il they go marching on,
In four years more the old parties will be
shattered, disrupted and discredited,
and they will "come into their own"
The first session Of the Populist con-
vention was a disappointment to those
who anticipated relentless, bitter war.
from the drop of the gavel. And 1t was
a disappointment to those who imagined
that the galleries would swarm with peo-
pie. drawn thither either by curiosity or
sympathy with the deliberations of the
convention. There was no wildcat fight
Ing, and the galleries, which hold IL, 900
people. were. practically an empty waste.
Not over 900 spectators, at liberal esti-
mate. were in the balconies.
The floor, where the delegates were
gathered, was in some respects crowded
with as unique an assembage as was
ever massed under one roof. A single
glance showed that they represented the
common people--a term in which they
glory-that they came from the farm,
the mine. workshop and the factory.
They discarded conventionalities. Fully
half OF them sat in their shirt yleeves,
With their coats elung over the backs of
their chairs. Among them were many
personalities-men who have been
known as agitators and reformers for
years were there, but there were also
rnany whose ability and force OF charac-
ter have given them rank in high sta
ton. As a body. they were men OF strong
and earnest convictions. The appear
ance or several women delegates on the
floor was a novel feature in a national
political gathering.
The preos benches, usually occupied
by the representatives of the big dailies
were largely given over to the editors Of
the weekly reform papers The decora-
tons OF the Republican convention.
which was held in the same hall five
weeksago, still graced the balconies. and
hid the wooden rafters and pillars which
upheld the high roof. All the Republi.
can portraits had been removed. Only
the bust OF General Grant remained
Just before the convention was called
TO order. portraits of Abraham Lincoln
and Peter Cooper were hung out over
the platform gallery.
The day session, which lasted about
IA hours, developed nothing, except
possibly that the Middle OF the Road"
contingent were afraid 10 put to the
touch their claims Tuesday night,
after Senator Butler had been chosen
temporary chairman by the national
committee, and they had ascertained
that he favored Bryan's nomination,
they at once decided TO depose him, as
Senator 1Iill was deposed by the Chicago
convention. At the conclusion OF an
enthusiastic meeting, they determined
TO put forward as their candidate O. u.
Jones OF Missouri. an old Grcenbacler,
who has written several works on
nnance. After a nights meditation,
however, their leaders decided that Il
would not be the part OF wisdom to make
the fight against Butler, and their re-
fusal to submit to q test OF strength
was hailed by the Bryan men as con-
elusive evidence that they realized they
were In the minority. But they were
somewhat compensated for the loss of
the temporary chairmanship In the
speech OF Ignatus Donnclly, who replied
10 Governor Stones address of welcome.
He made a Middle of the Road" speech
that stirred the radicals 20 their depths.
He Appealed 10 them to stand firm, so
that all the "dyne mite In Gods iabora-
tory" could not tear the party asunder,
hha BiNNhANh AnuA u ITO tTENDlf y DHTlY
failed the cause Of humanity would go
down with &C.
The speech of tho d0rk,browed scaa-
tor Butler of North Carolina, as tenr~
porary chairman, was llstenod 10 with
sager interest. He is n striking looking
man with n wealth Of wavy brown hair,
which tumbles over his straight fore
head, and which, together with beard
hof ar1ra Ia - q q.
brings into bold relief the straight
aquilinc nose. and gives 20 his dark
olive complexion an appearance almost
OF pallor. Senator Butlsf believes
eventually oil the factions can be har-
monized OH his plan 20 adopt a Popullst
platform and nominate upon IL Bryan,
with a southern fopulist FOR vice presi-
dent. Ills speech strongly upheld the
demand for the perpetuation Of the
pepulist argsnisstioa. wh.ep b de-