Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-08
THE PLATFORM.
Subcommittee Appointed to Draft and Pre-
sent II to the Full Body This Morn
ing-Proposed PIanks

Chicago, ILL.,, July Although there
was some objection as to the hour fixed
for the assembling of the committee on
resolutions, o'clock, at the Palmer
house, it was some time after that hour
when the committee was called to order.
The crowd gathered about the committee
room and made life burden to Assistant
Sergeant-at-Arms Noise of Kansas by
their persistent demands to see members
of the national committee, whom they
imagined to be occupying the apartments
as they had done yesterday. He was
successful, however, in maintaining
privacy of the body.
When the committee on resolutions met
Senator Stephen M. White of California
was chosen chairman by reclamation. He
was called to the door an instant after
and met the committee representing the
committee on permanent organization,
who notified him of his selection as per-
manent chairman of the convention. He
went back into the committee room and
announced the necessity of their making
the change in the Craftsmanship. There
upon Senator j. K. Jones of Arkansas,
chairman of the silver steering commit
tee and the man most generally spoken
of as the chairman of the next national
committee, was chosen to succeed Mr..
White.
The committee began the active work
for which it was organized through a
motion by Mr.. Thomas of Colorado that
a subcommittee of nine be appointed,
with Senator Jones of Arkansas as Its
chairman, to construct a platform and
report to the full committee tomorrow
morning at 8 o'clock. Mr.. McDermott of
New Jersey offered an amendment, which
provided that this subcommittee be au-
thorized to prepare the entire platform
with the exception of the financial plank,
and that that be disposed of by the full
committee. Mr.. McDermott lis sound
money man and in a, short but aggressive
speech declared that he did not want the
financial plank constructed by any sub
committee for the reason that existing
conditions demanded as much publicity
as possible in the discussion Of financial
questions. He was vigorous in his pro-
test against what he knew would be the
action of the committee, and minated
that the democrats of New Jersey and
the east could not and would not sup
port free coinage platform.
Mr.. McDermott's speech was con-
strued by the silver men of the commit
tee as threat that he would bolt the sil-
replied to the threat in his accustomed
energetic fashion. Among other things
Mr. White said that he, for one, would
never dare to go into a national conven-
ton whose final edict he intended to re-
pudiate.
Mr. McDermott, never learned that the
constitution of his country made silver
equal with gold and the money of the
land. Is he astonished now that that
constitution shall be upheld? If he be-
lieves 1t is necessary to the perpetuation
of democracy that he must lie down to
the tyrannical power of gold, let him
co.
In some portions of his argument Sem
ator White was especially severe in his
condemnation of what was construed to
be Mr.. McDermotts threat, and his high
pitched voice was at times plainly heard
echoing through the halls above the
noise and confusion of the crowd.
Further remarks were made by Mr.
Harrison of Connecticut in favor of the
amendment, and by Mr.. Jones or New
Mexico on the other side. The debate
gave promise of continuing indefinitely
and of causing some feeling, Mr. Re-
gan of Texas effectually put stop to
this discussion by moving the previous
question on the motion to appoint sub
committee.
Does the previous question extend TO
the committees of the convention quiz
city asked Senator Villas of the chairman
of the committee, with ill-disguised as
constituent.
yes" said Senator Jones. and as he
made his reply smile stole over the
faces of every member of the committee
Iamli1dr WIN parliamentary pioCcuufc.
The ruling of the chair was final. and by
a vote of SO yeas to IA nays the previous
question was put.
The motion to appoint the sub-commit-
tee as originally intended was then car
ried by viva voce vote.
The subcommittee consists of the fol-
lowing gentlemen: Senators Jones of
Arkansas, chairman; Cockrell of Mis-
souri,, George of Mississippi, Gray of Della
ware, Hill of New York and Tillman of
South Carolina, Mr.. Russell of Massachu-
SITS Mr.. Worthington of Illinois, and Mr..
Owens of Indian territory.
Senator Villas of Wisconsin was first
named, but Withdrew, and suggested the
substitution of Mr.. Russell. This COM
mittee was instructed to report to the full
committee tomorrow morning at 9
O'Clock. and after some further discus
sion at IL o'clock the full committee adj
journed and the subcommittee went into
secret session.
The desire of the committee to shut Off
protracted debate was made manifest