The San Francisco call., 1896-06-19
THE Calls HEADQUARTERS, !
Southern Hotel,
ST. LOUIS. Mo. June 18. ]

ST.. LOUIS, Mo-, June 18.l
The first thing on the programme this
morning was the report of the committee
on resolutions, which was read by Joseph
B. Foraker of Ohio. Then followed one of
the most dramatic scenes ever witnessed
in a political convention. Chairman
Thurston announced that he would recog-
nize Henry NJ. Teller, = member of the
resolutions committee, who desired to make
a minority report. The convention was
expecting this, and delegates and spec
tators were still.
Every man in the convention waited
expectantIy to see what the next few
minutes would bring forth. Would there
be d bolt of the free silver delegateSf Was
the great Republican party threatened
with division that would imperil its future
Then stepped forth Henry NJ. Teller of
Colorado, United States Senator from that
Stale, delegate to the convention and mem
Der of the resolutions committee, promi-
nently mentioned as joint Presidential
candidate of the free coinage Republicans,
Democrats and PopuIists. Those who had
never seen the Colorado statesman craned
their necks to get q glimpse of him. Small
in stature, almost tinsignifcantinp in physique,
dressed in a long, som Der black coat, his
forehead receding. his hair brushed
straight back from it, grizzly gray and
black whiskers and beard on his cheeks
and chin, he looked for all the world like
a minister OF the gospel, and he talked
like one. In fact, Mr.. Teller's appearance
and manner of speaking resembles that of
a Methodist preacher.
He is emotional to degree; his voice
trembles sometimes tearfully; and he i'm
presses everybody as an earnest, sincere
man. Though his conclusions may be er-
roneous, yet he impresses his auditors as
a man of sincere convictions. and his man.
ner of expressing is eloquent and always
effective.
When Senator Teller stepped to the front
of the platform he was greeted with a
hearty and spontaneous shout from the
little band of free silverites, and as be
warmed up to his work, his voice trem-
bling, his body fairly quivering with emo
ton, he forcibly reminded one of a pastor
pleading with his erring flock.
The st. Louis evening papers speak of
Mr.. Teller's address to-day as one of the
grandest bursts of oratory ever heard at a
convention. At the conclusion Of his ad-
dress the Colorado Senator folded his
arms across his breast and took his seat on
the platform, and perfect storm of ap-
plause went up. The free-silver men ap-
plauded the sentiments of their cham
pion, while others, who disagreed with his
financial policy, were SO impressed with
the eloquent plea of this sincere man that
they could not help joining in the demon
stration.
Then followed the vote to lay the minor
ity report from the resolutions. committee
on the table, which motion prevailed
ayes, 81sK; noes, 1851. The victorious
gold-men made the convention ring with
their cheers.
Here followed the most dramatic and
thrilling scene ever witnessed in Ma
tional political gathering. Senator Frank
Cannon of Utah, son of George @. Cannon,
the famous Mormon statesman, began his
valedictory address. The little band of
free-silver voters had slated Frank Cannon
for this duty. He read his speech, and
though his delivery was far from being
histrionic success his declarations were
listened to with the most intense interest.
The free siIverites cheered him, but the
gold men, who regarded many of his
utterances as unnecessarily severe and OBJ
noxious, hissed the speaker.
There were shouts of "Get out, LET
him go' and "Good riddance to bad rub
bish." Chairman Thurston pounded his
gavel vigorously and appealed to the
crowd to give the speaker respectful at
tention. He said it was not an occasion
for criticism or display of temper, but
should be regarded as sorrowful episode
in the history of the great Republican
party.
The crowd was then stilled and Mr.. Can
non proceeded with his speech. AT its
close he stepped back from the platform.
He is q young man of ordinary height,
sturdy figure, curly brown hair and mus
tache. Senator Cannon was seen to stoop
ard whisper few words in Senator TelIer's
ear.
"An aboard for ChicagoI" shouted some
one. ssTake the first train; glad to get rid
OF voul" cried another.
By this time the interest was intense.
Men and women had climbed upon chairs
to get a look at the little band OF seceders
from the Republican party. Teller and
Cannon stepped down from the platform
and the convention rang with cheers.