The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-07-24
BRYAN and SEWALL
Are Endorsed by The Silver Free
Party.
THE PLATFORM OF THE ST. LOUIS
CONVENTION.

OF Course it Teens With Silver from Be-
ginning to End-They See the Salvation
of the Country in 16 to 1 Coinage.
St. Louis, July 23.-The National
Silver convention was called to order at
10 30 by Chairman ST. John, who intro
duced Vice Chairman Hon. Charles A.
Towne, of Minnesota.
He was received with great applause.
He said the condition of the country was
most grave. 1t had been brought about,
he charged, in pursuance to a plan which
had for its purpose to make it appear as
the result of an orderly and lawful eyolu-
,tion. He said that patriotism had been
almost forgotten. glory has been mar
rowed to success, money has become a
God, but the day of regeneration is at
hand. We are in the very vortex Of
events. We are making American history
today, the American people are serving
notice that they are about to take charge
of their own affairs.
Mr.. Towne paid glowing tribute to
the worth, character and abilities of Mr.
Bryan, saying that his nominstion de-
monstrated the truth of the statement
that in the affairs of providence there are
no accidents. Bryan represents an idea,
he stands for cause, the cause of
humanity against injustice, the cause of
the masses against the classes. The con :
vention took recess until 2.20.
When Chairman Sb.John called the sill
yer convention to order at q 81 there were
more ladies present than at any previous
session, but fewer delegates. The chair
stated the committee appointed yester-
day to confer with the Populists had not
been calleusupon to exercise their offices
owing to the delay of a permanent orga-
Eization of the Populist convention.
G. G. Bradshaw of Montana, presented
a resolution of thanks to DR.. j. J. Mott,
chairman of the executive committee of
the bi-metallic league in appreciation of
his services in arranged for the conven-
tion as O ne result of DR.. Motifs labors
and those of Secretary Deyine of the
league. Mr.. Bradshaw said nearly 2, 000-
600 voters had signed the declaration of
the Washington address of last January
in favor of free silver. The resolution
passed by unanimous rising vote.
Mr.. Mott expressed thanks for the vote
just given.
At the request of the Minnesota dele
CATION, L. b. Chaffee. a commeroial
traveller and delegate from that state.
was invited to address the convention.
MIR. Chaffee said tnree-fourths of the
travelling men of Minnesota were silver
mon because they knew good thing
when they saw it. daughter He said
that the Canton. Ohio, o0noern-MoKin-
ley, Hobart and Hanna, would need the
services of receiver In about four
months. He asserted that Minnesota
was not q doubtful state, but in this con-
test would be found on the side of free
silver. It's ELECTORAL vote would be cast
for Bryan.
W. H. (Coin) Harvey, was called for,
but simplysreturned thanks for the honor
implied and excused himself on the
ground of physical weakness.
A call Of statss was called to show the
previous political affiliations Of delegates.
The poll as far as replied to showed 458
boilers from publieanism to Bryan
ism. Other former affiliations replied:
Independents, 10; Nationalisrs, i Green
baoker, i; PFohlbitioniAts, 9; Populists,
AZ; Democrats, 1856
The following was referred to the COM
mlttee on resolutions:
Resolved, That the national oonven-
tion of Silver. Democratic and Peoples
DSE Ulcb 10 t0AuoSuCd W ICtOt " oHQ 00HAS-
nate Bryan and Sewali silver ticket
whenever practicable as the American
Union ticket"
An extract of speech made by Mr..
Blaine several years ago, was read by the
secretary, in which Mr.. Blaine declared
for the remonetization and free coinage
of silver.
A resolution that no candidate for Con-
gress be voted for unless he be In favor
of the free coinage of silver, was referred
to the committee OH resolutions.
The following was adopted,
Whereas, the false accusation is so fTe-
qusntly made that those who demand
the restoration of the silver dollar to its
place as equal to gold dollar as debt
payer, under our flag, are not patriotic
in the defense of our national honor, be
it
Resolved: That all those who were
formerly true to the old flag and who
risked their lives at sea or on land who
are present at this silver convention,
be requested to stand on their feet until
that number is counted"
Only q few old soldiers having ri sen
and there being but comparatively few
delegates present, suggestions were made
that the count b8 postponed until tomor-
row. No action was taken and at B. 10
the convention adjourned until 10 a. 20.
The committee on resolutions Oh the
silver convention completed its work
this afternoon by adopting tho platform
which had been prepared by this sub
committee.
The question as to who should present
the paper to the convention excited quite
discussion. Finally 1t was agreed to
have Senator Jones of Nevada, chairman
of the committee, present the report and
designate some one to read 1t.
The question of selection of delegates
to nominate Bryan and Sewall was taken