Evening star., 1896-07-08
much confusion, and, without perfecting a
permanent organization, the, committee ad-


much confusion, and, without perfecting q
permanent organization, the committee ad-
journed until o'clock.
When they met again there was the ut
most confusion and disorder, the members
shouting for recognition regardless of pend
lrg motions, and the chairman, after break
Ing his umbrella handle in vain endeavors
to preserve decorum, finally resortipg to a
glass that ultimately shared the same fate.
discussion as to the admission of the
press led to a lively debate. In the con-
fusion that followed this and several other
heated debates the press representatives
were left on the outside.
1t was o'clock before order could be
restored and the committee could proceed
to the election of a permanent organiza-
ton. Even then, 1t took nearly half an
hour to elect a chairman and secretary.
Three candidates were offered for chair
man. Smith Weed Of New York, John II.
Atwood of Kansas and John c. Crosby Of
Massachusetts. Mr.. Crosby tried to de-
cline, and so did Mr.. Weed, but the con-
fusion was too great. and the roll call pro-
ceeded Mr.. Weed got two votes. Mr.. Cros-
by seven. and Mr.. Atwood twenty-five.
Some of the gold states cast their votes
for Atwood.
When Mr.. Atwood assumed the chair
the atmosphere changed. A delegate who
tried to interrupt another was told in a
forcible and not-to-be mistaken tone to sit
down. He looked at the cnairman's 80
pounds and meekly obeyed. Mr.. c.. A
matter of press admittance again, and
made n speech, in which he deplored the
attempt at star chamber proceedings. He
would probably have succeeded had the
delegates. not been Nearied with the long
delay.
The temporary secretary was replaced
by Mr. Benton of Missouri.
Mr.. Crosby of Massachusetts offered a
resolution to take Up the contests, Ne
braska first and Michigan secord. Mr..
Weed of New York moved to have the roll
called, and the contests voted in alphabet
cal order. This amer dment prevailed, and
each contestant was given one-half hour to
present the case. Michigan was the first
one to be taken up.
There was a running discussion of the
case, in which the Michigan men on beth
sides denied statements made by those on
the other An effort to have the matter
referred to subcommittee failed. Bren-
nan of Wisconsin asked the silver men not
to let their great ma ajnrity impel them to
an act which had no evidence to sustain II.
The vote was - to 16 in favor of seating
the four contesttng silver delegates-Mc-
Grath. Fisher, Black and Mcknight. The
states voting for the silver faction were
Alabama. Arkansas, California. Colorado.
Delaware. Idaho. Illinois, Iowa. Kansas,
Kentucky, Louisiana. Mississippi. Missouri,
Montana. Nevada, North Carolina. South
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas. Utah, Wash
ington. West Virginia, Wyoming. Arizona.
New Mexico. Indian territory and District
OF Columbia. For the gold faction: Con-
nectlcu'- Maine, Maryland, MaSSachuSettS,
Minnesota, Nebraska. New Hampshire,
New Jersey. New York. Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont,
Wisconsin Alaska, and Oklahoma.
These states refused to vote. on the
ground that the evidence WAS insufficient
Florida. Georgia, North Dakota, Oregon
and Virginia
This vote reversed the action Of the ma
ito lal committee. which seated the gold
delegates. AS Michigan was instructed by
the state convention to follow the unit
rule. Its tWenty-eignt votes in convention
Will be changed from gold to silver by this
action.
The committee on credentials voted unan-
imously to seat the Bryan contestants. AS
no one was present to present any contest
from Nevada, the committee decided to
recognize none from that state.