Omaha daily bee., 1896-07-05

fact that MIR. Bryan's seat in the convention
Is contested. II has been suggested that the
national committee may declare that the
gold delegation from Nebraska is entitled to
the seats from that state, and in that event
the silver people would be in a somewhat
embarrassing predicament If they should
have counted upon Mr.. Bryan and had no
one else preparing TO make the opening
speech, upon which great store is set.
The silver leaders are making an %investi-
cation Of the chances in the contest. If sat
isied that Mr.. Bryan will not be disturbed in
his seat, he will be chosen by the silver
men, but il there should appear to be any
doubt of his being seated, they will probably
take some one else.
Ex-senator Martin OF Kansas has sug-
gested that in case Of the necessity for a
change, the honor should be conferred upon
Hon. George +. Williams Of Massachusetts,,
and the suggestion has been received with
no small degree OF favor. The silver men
feel that MIR. Williams cspousal of the free
silver cause In New England has been Of
vast assistance to them and they would like
to find a pleasant way OF showing their ap-
probation. The friends of Hon. C. s. Thomas
Of Denver are also pressing his claims per-
sistently and continue to meet with encour-
agement. The selection will not be officially
made until Monday afternoon.
Some of the administration democrats are
advocating the nomination of Adlai +. Stew
cnson for president. They have as yet re-
ceived no encouragement from the free sill
yer advocates and are to all appearances
making no Roadway with the boom. Gov
ernor Altgeld said that Mr.. Stevenson could
not carry a single silver state. w. II. Hin
richsen, chairman of the state central COM
mlttee, concurred in this assertion. How
ever, Delos p. Phelps, assistant treasurer OF
the United States in charge of the sub
treasury, entertains the belief that Mr.. Stew
enson is the strongest man for the head of
the ticket. He said so today to a represent
oti,yn of Tho AeSppintpl prpSs and was Qnitp
enthusiastic in support of the Illinois man.
"Adlai Stevenson" he said, sis a man who
can unite all the contending factions of the
democratic party. He should be acceptable
to all democrats, for he has been one all his
life. His views On the money question are
well known. While in congress he voted on
the silver question just as Bland voted. AS
to Bland, the democrats since 1868 have felt
it unwise to nominate a man from the south
for a place on the presidential ticket. II
their Judgment has proven wise in the past
there is no reason why they will find 1t so
in the present instance. This is especially
true now that they will have to draw votes
from the republican party to win the battle.
With a good man for the second place l
think Stevenson can beat MCKINLEY without
difficulty"
FOR A LABOR PLANK.
An effort will be made to incorporate a
plank in the democratic platform, denounc-
ing federal interference with local affairs
either by troops or injunction of the United
States courts. Governor Altgeld and his
following will advocate such a plank, and
they will use all the pressure they can
bring to bear to succeed. Governor Altgeld
cas- back to Chicago today from Springfield
and opened up headquarters in parlor e at
the Sherman house. Ee said he believed
that a plank denouncing federal interference
would be adopted. at is democratic" he
said, land every true democrat will support
it. Illinois is seeking no Office" he said,
lis not urging the nomination of any par
ticular man for the presidency. All the
Illinois democrats desire Is to see a pro-
nounced silver man nominated for the presi-
dency and to have a pronounced free silver
platform adopted. They will be satisfied
with nothing less. They will demand 1t
and fight for it. l think a plank will be
inserted denouncing federal interference in
local affairs, either by injunction or United
States troops. That is a principle of the
democratic party. 1t is a foundation stone
that must not be dislodged.'
A vigorous plank touching upon American
shipping has been prepared by the commits
sioner of navigation at Washington for SUBJ
mission to the resolutions committee when
it meets. The plank is understood, to have
the approval of Secretary Carlisle. 1t reads
as follws:
We demand that henceforth modern and
liberal policies toward American shipping
shall take the place of our limitations OF
the restrictive statutes of King George III,
long ago E't 4 aba itDitsa s{,tS every 70 m 96is nng
we favor the repeal of those navigation
laws which. to the nations humiliation,
prise to the use of alien flags and alien
crews, have made the stars and stripes
ports and have virtually eXtinguished all
trace of American seamen.,
We oppose the %pretense that discriminat,
ing duties Will promote shipping. That
scheme is an invitation to commercial war
fare unon the, United States, un-American
les. Offering no gain whatever to American
shipping, while greatly increasing ocean
freights OF our agricultural and manufac-
tured products.
SILVER GAINING VOTES.
The silver people were much encouraged
upon the arrival of some of the delegates
from Minnesota today to receive the assur-
ance that the sentiment favorable to silver
is constantly increasing in the delegation
1t was at first supposed to be solid for gold
At last nights silver caucus a dispatch was
read from E. B. Winston saying there were
six silver men in the number. Today's ar.
rivals report that there are seven who are
sure to vote with the silver people and that
there are two others who are on the verge
of allying themselves with that interest
The silver men have also received assurance
that no fewer than six of the Massachusetts
delegates, an equal number from Florida
and four of the Maryland delegates will
stand with them. These changes increase
tnelr former calculations TO the extent oil
fourteen or fifteen votes, and If their previ.
Gus figures were correct, assures them the
necessary two-thirds vote beyond perad
venture. The gold people do not, however
admit their claims.
The leaders of the contending democratic
element in Michigan have made their ap.
pearance here and the rank and file of dele
gates and adherents Is expected tomorrow
night. Elliot G. Stevenson of Detroit, the
law partner Of Don M. Dickinson, is at the
head OF the delegation chosen at the state
convention, while Judge McGrath of Detroit
heads a movement TO contest the seat of Mr.
Stevenson and others, on the ground that
some of the delegates to the state conven.
ton voted against silver, although they
came from silver constituencies and in some
cases were instructed for silver. There Is
an element of personal antagonism In the
contest which has aroused much feeling. Mr.
Stevenson said today that the records of the
state convention proceedings would be
offered to show the rigid care with which
all formalitles had been observed. In his
own case the vote was l73 in excess of thai
for Judge McGrath, and its regularity was
not challenged at the time. Mr.. Stevenson
says he cannot believe that the unprece,
dented step will be taken of reversing the
action of a state convention, on an after
thought and for f~actional ends.
IF we are not treated fairly said Mr.
Stevenson, with positiveness, there will bt
no democratic electoral ticket named IL
Michigan this fall. The last state conyen,
ton did not name electors and in case tn,