The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-06-30
SIL1ER'S SSHARp EYE
1T WILL BE KEPT ON THE PRO-
CEEDINGs OF THE DEMO-
Gratis.
COMMITTEE is ON HAND.
BIMETALLIC CROWD WILL HOLD
ITS FIRST CHICAGO MEETING
TODAY.
VOTES ARE PLEDGED.
Silver Men Will Run the Convention
and Name the Man for First
Place.

CHICAGO, June 29.-The leaders of
the Democratic silver forces in the
various states are beginning to gather,
preparatory to their meeting, which
will be held tomorrow, under the aus
pices of the bimetallic Democratic ma
tional committee. The meeting is not
to be of as general a character as has
been supposed. 1t will be composed, In
a large measure, Of representatives Of
the bimetallic committee, which was
organized in Washington last August,
and there will also be present other
leading silver Democrats, to whom in
vitations have been especially extend
ed. A partial list of those expected in
cludes Senator Roach, of North Da-
kota; s. B. Evans, Of Iowa, and also
the following members and officers Of
the executive committee of the bimetal-
lie organizations: Senator Isham G..
Harris, Tennessee; Senator James K.
Jones, chairman, Arkansas; Senator
David Turpie, Indiana; Hon. William
j. Stone, Indiana; Hon. William II.
Hinrichsen, Illinois; Hon. Casey Young,
Tennessee; ex-Speaker Charles F..
|
souri,.
Commencing tomorrow, meetings will
probably be held daily until the begin
ming Of the convention, and possibly
while the convention continues, If there
appears to be occasion for them. The
general purpose Of the meetings is to
exercise supervisory care over the
interests of the silver cause in the
Democratic convention.
The conference was first decided
upon two months ago, when the silver
people were not sure of being able to
control the convention, as they now
are, and when they considered it pos
sible that it would be necessary, in the
protection of their interests, to keep an
eye upon the proceedings of the ma
tional Democratic committee. 1t was
considered important at that time that
the silver people should have such a
perfect understanding that there
would be no doubtful moves made in
the convention or elsewhere. Now they
profess to feel so sure Of their ground
that they do not longer feel the neces-
sity for such caution. Among. the mat
ters to which they do propose to give
their attention are the contests for
seats in the convention. made by silver
men, and the selection Of a temporary
chairman of the convention, and, pos
sibly, later, to the preparation of a
platform, and, If necessary, the selec-
ton of candidates.
Major T. o. Towles of Missouri, who
is secretary of the National Bimetallic
Democratic committee, was among the
q o1-T.iu IG IN
that probably the first work of the
committee would be-the appointment of
a subcommittee to confer with the
national Democratic committee with
the view Of securing harmonious action
in the convention.
"Our committee" said Major Towles,
referring to the bimetallic organization,
'has done much of the work which has
resulted in securing a majority for sill
yer in the convention, and we want to
make sure that the cause is protected
in the convention. Whatever the pre-
dilections of the national committee, I
suppose they will show no disposition
to deprive the silver majority of the
convention Of it's right to name the
temporary chairman and to exercise
other rights belonging to the majority,
but If such a disposition should be
manifested it would be resented and
the silver men would undoubtedly
name candidate of their own for
presiding officer Furthermore, they
would elect him. To prevent such a
clash as this, or clash upon any other
point, 1t will be necessary that our or
ganization should have an understand
ing with the national committee"
Mr.. Towle thinks that when the test
comes, the silver men will be found to
have the necessary two-thirds to nomi-
nate presidential candidate. The
bimetallic committee has from the first
studiously eliminated the question Of
candidates from it's consideration, but
will take the matter in hand later if
1t appears necessary to secure the NOM
ination of desirable man.
Senator Harris, who, by virtue of his
position as chairman Of the national
Democratic committee, will preside over
the conference, arrived tonight and
took quarters at the Sherman house
The initial meeting of the series will
be called to order by him at noon to-
morrow. The meetings will not be
open to the public.
Senator Jones. of Arkansas, who will
be a prominent figure in these meet
ings, confirmed the statement of Secre-
tary Towles that the first work of the
conference would be to confer with the
subcommittee Of the national Demo-
cratic committee as to the selection Of
q temporary chairman and as to con-
tests If necessary. Mr.. Jones says that
SO far as he has heard from the silver
delegates they practically agree upon
the main features Of the platform The
idea is to give first place to the finan-
cial plank and to make all other ques-
tions, including the tariff, subservient
to this.
Asked what influence he expected Mr..
Whitney's coming to Chicago to have
upon the convention, the senator re-
piled: "Nene whatever. It will have
no more effect than would a very fine
spray on q ducks back. The people
have made up their minds as to what
they want and the delegates they have
sent here will be here to do their bid
ding, and no amount of influence will
change their purpose or turn the course
of events.
II see," continued the senator, 'that
it Is suggested that business influence
can be brought to bear to change the
votes Of Southern delegates. Never
was e greater mistake. We of the
South feel that we have already been
ground to powder and no amount of
pulverizing will affect US. Mr. Whit
ney will be treated courteously but
this is not going to be Mr.. Whitney's
convention