The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-02
Gold Delegates Practically
Unfettered.
The Cleveland Boom at In-
dianapOliS Falls Flat.
Gen. Bragg In Fight for Nomination
u and Proposes TO Stay.

Indianapolis, Sept. 2.-Senator John
NJ. Palmer OF Illinois, chairman of the
provisional committee, appointed at
Chicago five weeks ago, called the con-
vention OF gold Democrats to order at
noon today In Tomlnson hall. All the
indications are that the gathering will
exceed expectations, both in point of
numbers and states represented. From
the lists In the hands Of Secretary Will
son, IL is certain that over 500 delegates
will be present, representing IL or AZ
states and territories. Considering the
fact that the original call for the meet
ing OF representatives OF 10 middle states
was only issued July 20, the managers
feel that they have reason TO feel proud
of the result of their work.
The convention completed the per-
manent organization and then adjourned
until tomorrow. as big mass meeting
has been arranged for tonight, at which
Colonel Breckinrdge OF Kentucky. Eel
lows OF New York, Mr.. Enrich OF Colo
rado and other orators will speak.
The convention was opened with pray
er by Rev. John White. the Episcopal
bishop OF Jhe diocese OF Indiana. Ex-
Governor Flower. who was selected as
temporary chairman of the national con-
NGhNAOif tItu TIE opening SDeeCn.
After the announcement of the commit
tees selections was "a recess to give the
committee on credentials and permanent
organization time TO meet and report and
some orators were called to the platform
TO fill the time with speeches
Senator Cafery of Louisiana was
chosen permanent chairman. After
Senator Caffery had been installed, the
convention al fnnrpad pp4fI fCr,arro,,y
when the platform will be adopted and
the candidates named. sine die ad-
tournment is expected tomorrow even
ing.
All the furry which enemies OF the
new political movement tried TO create
by circulating the report that Texas
would bolt IL the convention should in
sist upon nominating a ticket, has
blown over. with the discovery that
Texas never made any such threat and
never thought OF making any. There
Is no reason up TO the present time to
suppose that the convention viii have
ony controversies, except as to the make
up OF the ticket and what shall go into
end what be kept out of the platform,
and these differences bid fair TO be en-
trely friendly, though spirited. The
fact that there IL lively diversity OF opin-
ion Is interpreted as proving the real Inn
portance OF the convention, for II II and
Its consequences were unimportant there
would be nothing 10 debate about.
This convention has not gone far yet
IL the choice Of its standard bearers,
however, and II is probable that little
viii be determined by any preliminary
activity, and that the delegates them
selves, when the ballotng begins, VIII
have to decide the question. The two
thirds rule of the historic Democracy
will be maintained, but no state delega-
will be asked to abide by the unit rule.
The delegates. thus unfettered by rule.
are coming here remarkably free from
instructions or pledges. Wisconsin has
instructed for Bragg Missouri for Broad
lead, and KentrcKy has named Buck
ner for vice president, but with these ex-
ccptions the race il en- open one. 1t is
Observable that those who have been
most active IN this rational Democratic
movement look aslance at the sug-
Gcstion OF nominating any man who has
been at all luEewarin I'm his support OF
this convention, or concerning whose
course there has been any uncertainty.
Such an objection is raised against Post
master General Wilson, who mas been
AdAiAti b.ON IA iitthAho IOSltAOiA
known.
Cleveland Ont of It.
AN attempt was made TO start Cleve-
land boom yesterday. 1t fell fiat. The
nearest friends of the president depre-
cate IL most seriously, and sey that tho
president would himself cut II off sum-
marily If consulted. He is reported as
being as deslrous as one could be TO
prevent this convention from taking on
the appearance OF a personal following.
While IL will undoubtedly in its plat
form commend the wise anG patriotic
acts of the lnistration, and while It's
leaders are warm In their praise of the
conduct of the president, In the dosper-
ate emergencies with which he has been
confronted, there - a universal agree
ment 10 have no element OF mere hero
worship In its attitude. Whether the
Cleveland talk was started by the oppo-
nents of Watterson's nomination for the
purpose OF creating a diversion, or
whether II was started by the Watterson
men as n means OF killing off some Of the
rival candidates. il is hard 10 determine.
The one thing that Is certain is that the
president himself has had no part i'm the
matter.
A leading Cleveland boomer is Hugh
c. Wallace OF Washington. who created
such a sensation by standing out for
sound money as "a delegate to the Chi
oago convention and resigning from the
national committee after his own dele
cation. with full knowledge OF his posi-
ton. had elected him 90 1t. lilo considers
that Cleveland is the strongest In
dividual Democrat in the country today.
and scouts the idea that any number OF
people could be stampcded by the third
term bugaboo. Ex-Governor Jones OF
Alabama is cited as another Cleveland
man, but IL does not appear that he can
fairly be cour ,d IS among the strong
advocates Of the presidents renomina-
ton. lie says frankly that the presi-
dent n loved and admired by thc sound
m0ncy Democrats OF hls stale. but that
Don't trig away time when you have