The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-08-05
SILVER IS AWAY UP
be Kansas Democrats Hold an I'm
pOrhnt State CONVENTION.
PLAN TO FUSE WITH POPS
Committee VIII Go to Abilene
To-Day to Confer With the Pop
ulists and an Adjournment Is
Taken to Await the Report.

Hutchinson. Kansas, August i.-The
democratic state convention met this
morning. Nearly ass delegates were
present. At previous meeting of the
state central committee. a proposition
from the silver republican state COM
mittee was received. The silver people
ask to be allowed to name two men,
bers on the fusion electoral ticket. IL.
8. Martin. temporary chairman Of the
convention, made strong speech ia
voring the fusion of all parties In Kan
sas which favor silver.
Chairman Martin referred to the
democratic victory In Alabama and the
reference brought forth prolonged
cheers. The secretary was instructed
to extend greetings and congratula-
tions to Governor-elect Johnston of
that state. after which the following
letter from w. j. Bryan was read:
Lincoln, Neb., July 3l.-To Frank
Bacon. Esq, Chairman Central Com
mittee: My Dear Sir-Your favor of
July q, incloslng the letter OF Mr.. Bark
ley and Oswell Of Hutchinson, Kan,
requesting me to speak at that city on
Aug. 4 has been received. I regret
very much that the duties of the cam
'paign, which are pressing upon me,
render 1t impossible for me to do so.
No arrangements for speeches can be
made until after the campaign has been
outlined by the national committee,
and until that has been done I deem 1t
wise to make no promises. Very truly
yours, William ]. Bryan"
After the appointment Of the usual
committees. a recess until o'clock was
taken. 1t was 3:l5 o'clock when Tenn
porary Chairman Martin called the del
egates to order. Judge A. M. Jackson
Of Howard was made permanent chair
man. At the conclusion of Judge
Jackson's speech. which was an eulogy
of the democratic party and a plea for
the fusion of all free silver forces In
Kansas. the committee on platform
and order Of business reported.
The platform reported unequivocally
endorses the Chicago platform, reas-
serts the demand of the Kansas de-
mocracy for the free and unlimited
coinage Of silver at the ratio of 16 TO
1; lauds Bryan and Sewall. the true
champions Of the peoples interests. and
In conclusion demands a resubmission
of the prohibition question to the peo-
pie of the state.
But 1t was In the report OF the COM
rnittee on rules and order OF business
tas6e' VI interest centered. To this COM
mittee had been delegated by common
consent the work of planning a means
Of effecting fusion with the populists
who will meet In Abilene tomorrow.
This committee reported that the con-
vention should select it's presidential
electors, though not formally nominat-
ing them, and that a special commit
tee Of five should be named to wait up
on the populists at Abilene and effect
fusion of the two parties In Kansas.
The report recommended that the DEM
ocrats agree to surrender everything
but electors TO the populists and to en-
dorse unequlvocally the state ticket
nominated by the popullsts, including
congressman-at-l large, in return for en-
dorsement by the populists Of Bryan
and Sewall electors. The convention
practically adopted the plan by accla-
nation. There were a few delegates
who wanted democratic representation
on the state ticket. but these were lost
sight Of, being a small minority.
The convention proceeded to carry
out the recommendations and selected
the following to be subsequently, nomi-
mated for presidential electors: Sidney
Hayden, j. B. Goshorn, W. H. Linston.
III. NJ Blackshere. c. A. Hitler, J. r.
Logan. Fl. ]. Roetzell, Morris Cliggett,
Albert Perry, George Pitts.
j. G. johnson, democratic national
committeeman for Kansas, was select
ed to head the delegation of ambassa-
dors to the populists at Abilene. Other
members of this committee are w. p.
Dillard, John Martin. ]. II. Atwood,
w. 8. Glass. Immediately after this
committee had been named the conven-
tlon adjourned until o'clock to-mor-
row afternoon to await their report.
The committee left tonight for Abb
!ene.
In an interview Chairman Johnson
stated that he had no doubt but sat
isfactory arrangement for fusion could
be arrived at. Some of the demo-
cratic leaders are not little disturbed.
however. by reports from Abilene that
the populists are inclined to insist upon
an agreement that presidential electors
shall be pledged to vote for Watson II
the populists shall poll the most votes
or for Sewall IL the democrats shall
lead. This the democrats declare they
will not agree to, and II Is asserted
so-night that II the populists hold out
a full democratic ticket will be put in
the field.