The Columbus journal., 1896-06-17
BIG STRUGGLE|SOH
Republican National Conven-
ton Is Called to Order.
FAIRBANKS IN THE CHAIR
Text of the Platform That Has
Been Agreed On.
TRIUMPH FOR THE CENTRAL WEST.
Favors an International Agree
0ent On Silver-Small Missouri Break .
For Reed-Monster Mckinley Dem
onstration-vIc Ice Presidency.
TRIUMPH FOR THE CENTRAL WEST.

100t Oo o11VeI-SAAoth ShbBSOUt 06GoA
For Reed-Monster Mckinley Dem
onstrasion-vice Presidency.
81. LOUIS. June B.-Fully 1900
wildly enthusiastic people-de'egates
and spectators-were seated in the audi.
forum when Chairman Carter Of the
national committee called the 10th ma
tiOnal convention of the Republican
party to order at noon. Most Of the 500
delegates were in their seats when
Charles w. Fairbanks was introduced
as temporary chairman. His keynote
speech was on the line of the Indiana
platform. Nearly every sentence of
Mr.. Fairbanks address was applauded
and many of its sentiments brought out
approving cheers which fairly shook the
big building.
Hard Fight ON Money.
The most remarkable feature about
the convention SO far has been the alb
sence of bad blood among the partisans
Of the various candidates. The triumph
of Mckinley has been so complete thus
far that his friends can afford to be
magnanimous and his opponents can do
nothing but acquiesce in the ascer-
tanned will Of the majority. The
partisans of Reed, Quay, Morton aud
Allison still wear the buttons and are
rs staunch as ever in their loyalty. but
they realize the hopelessness of making
shrieking OF offensive demonstrations in
favor of their champion, and the
ayers of the anti Mckinley candidates
have practically sheathed their swords.
This does not mean that they have
abandoned the field, with the exception
of Governor Bradley of Kentucky, who
dropped out last night. The names Of
the other candidates will be presented
and voted for and will probably poll
their full strength. Indeed, the Reed
men have labored .assiduously to rally
the followers of the Maine man. They
have appealed to his friends. to go
down with colors flying. So, too, with
the colors of Morton. Allison and Quay.
But no one ventures to suggest the pos
sibility of Nc inley's defeat. The real
struggle that is going on is over the
financial plank in the platform. Be-
yond the disputes in the various delega-
tons over the supremacy of men and
factions. it is almost the sole subject of
plots and counterplots. 1t is the real
battle ground. In phrase and word it
is all important. Upon tariff, upon all
other questions. there is substantial
unity, but the differences upon it are
rs wide as the continent. Free silver
and gold are as irreconciliable as the
poles and the radical silver men are
prepared to stake their all upon the
issue. Knowing they cannot succeed,
they are even nov formulating the
manifesto that will sever their allegi.
ance to the Republican party.
Radicals Largely Outnumbered.
But these radical silver men are large
ly outnumbered. Headed by Senator
Teller of Colorado, they have only mus
tered five states and perhaps one terri
tory-less than 50 delegates in all ont of
q total of over 500. The real struggle is
between those in favor of a bold declar-
alton for the maintenance of gold
standard except through international
agreement and those whose friendliness
to silver, although opposed to free coin
age, makes them seek to avoid q specific
Endorsement of the gold standard. The
result Of the meeting of the various
state delegations yesterday demon
strated emphatically that the
ton will not dodge the issue nor equivo-
cate in language. Twenty eight states.
comprising the territory east of the
Mississippi and almost the entire south
ern members of the resolutions commit
tee met and instructed them to vote for
. gold declaration.
Wisconsin. Minnesota, Nebraska, Ore
gOn and Washington also took strong
ground for gold. In Indiana General
Lew Wallace was chosen q member of
the resolutions committee, after he had
declared he would not stand on the In
diana plank and that the u~tterance for
the maintenance Of the gold standard
could not be made to strong for him.
Minnesota, with is votes. instructed ex.
Governor Merriam to insist upon a
declaration for the gold standard.
and the northwestern states,
Iowa and the Dakotas. and several of
the southern states. Georgia, Mississippi
and Louisiana. announced their opposi-
ton to free coinage. but did not favor a
too radical declaration in favor of the
gold standard.
Iowa Delesates SoIfcitous
Iowa was particularly %solicitous, and
feared it might carry the northwest to
the Democratic camp in case the Chi
cago convention pronounced later for
silver. The eastern delegates are over
joyed at the outcome and believe the
result of yesterdays action removes the
last uncertainty as to the character of
the financial plank. The exact language
of the plank has not yet been drawn.
Mark Hanna. TO whom all eyes are
turned. has had many planks presented
him, but all mea practically the
same thing. the maintenance of the
gold standard until an international
can be reached, and cnalter.
able opposition to free coinage. Coupled
with these declarations will be un-
doubtedly a declaration in favor of such
use of silver as the needs of commerce
demand, bat not beyond the point
where the maintenance of the parity
would be endangered. Senator-e!ec:
Foraker Of Ohio. who is to be chairman
Of the committee on resolutions. has
prepared a rough draft Of q platform
covering most of the subjects to be pre-
sented and this will furnish the basis
Tor the work Of constructing the plat.
form. The selection by tho various
state delegations yesterday of their
members on the committees was marked
BY few incidents, save in New York and
Missouri.
Victory for Plat.
In New York all the sm%ouldering bit |
terness between the Piatt and anti Piatt |
factions broke forth and ex-senator
Warner Miller, the head Of the anti. !
Platt faction, threw down the gauge of