The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-07-09
THE MORNING SESSION.
The Band Played Massa's In The Cold,
Cold Ground at the Opening.

iHe CoiiSeuU were thrown open TINS
morning and the black streams of peo-
pie walled up through the entrance and
broke like a cascade over the galleries.
the band struck up "Massa's In The Cold
Cold Ground" The silver leaders en-
tered with light and bouyant step, but
the faces of the gold leaders were grim
and grave, and in some cases defiant
The preliminary scenes We're only Il repe-
titiOn of those of the preceding days.
At 1852 Chairman White dropped the
gavel and the indescribable buzz of thou
sands of voices gradually subsidized and
the delegates took their seats. After
prayer by Rev. DR.. Green of Cedar
Rapids, Iowa, Senator White, whose
voice was practically gone, handed the
gavel over to Congressman Richardson
of Tennessee, tall, slender man with
black moustache and scholarly stoop of
shoulders, who announced that the COM
mittee on resolutions was ready to re-
port, and called to the platform to Sen
ator Jones of Arkansas to make the COM
mittee's report. He began to read the
financial plank of the platform, which
Col G. Y. Jones, the St. Louis journalist
had written. The effect of reading would
have BEEN greater had the senator had
stronger voice The silver cranks raised
a cheer when some of them heard the
words: I'VE demand the free and un-
limited coinage of both gold and silver"
and one enthusiastic person demanded
it re-read, which was done. A the
delegates could not hear. much.5Df the
platform most of its points fell un-
cheered, but the denunciation of govern
ment by injunction. which is taken as
indirect approval of Governor Altgeld's
course during the Chicago strike, met
with recognition.
When the plank expressing sympathy
with Cuba had been read a flag of the
new Republic, appeared in the aisle and
was carried along the aisles. 1t did not
arouse the demonstration the partisans
of Cuba had hoped for; indeed the ap-
plause was very moderate.
The platform was concluded without
marked applause.
Then the report for the minority was
read and the gold people rose and
cheered, but their efforts were very faint.
The endorsement of the Democratic ad-
mnistration, which Senator Hill had
made losing fight for in the committee
the galleries.
Following is the substitute adopted
for the plank on the bank issue:
Congress alone has power to coin
and issue money and President Jackson
declared this power could not be dele
gated to corporations or individuals
We. therefore, denounce the issuance of
notes as money for national banks as in
derogation of the constitution, and we
demand all paper which is legal tender
for public or private debts or which is
receivable for dues to the United States
shall b. iss ied by the government of the
1it hal ha IN n
in coin. The constitution of the United
States guarantees to every citizen the
rights of civil and religious liberty. The
Democratic party has always been the
exponent of political liberty and re-
ligious freedom, and it renews it's obliga-
tions and reaffirms it's devotion to these
fundamental principles of the cOnstitu-
tiOn."
Congressman Bryan offered the follow
ing plank and it was adopted to form
part of the platform:
"We are in favor of the arbitration of
thel differences between employers en-
gagged i'll interstate commerce and their
employees and recommend such legisla
tiOn as is necessary to carry out this
principle"
Senator Ben Tillman of South Carroll
ma then mounted the platform to begin
a great debate on behalf of free coinage.
Cheers mingled with Kisses broke forth
from the 10000 throats. He introduced
himself to them by saying he came be-
fore them as he was, "not as lying news
papers have represented me to be-"
Rounds of applause from the pit greeted
in the storm of Kisses from the galleries.
which increased to perfect whirlwind
of sibiant sounds as he added:
II came from q state which was the
home of secession"
Senator B. f. Tillman of South Caro-
lima mounted the stage to open the great
debate in behalf of free coinage A
striking figure he was as he faced his
audience. With no pretensions in dress,
shabby coated, wearing a heavy silver
chain across his breast, he instantly drew
They turned toward him as if he were an
antagonist. His thick-set, commanding
form was full of defiance. His head,
thrown back, was round and compact.
The features, strong and powerful, were
cast in classical mold. The nose was
straight, the lips thin and compressed,
the jaw square and pugnacious, but the
sunken cavity which marked his left eye
gave to his face sinister expression. 1t
was that face. once seen, never to be
forgotten. On one lapel of his coat he
WIZ Nupuh nag. Oh tiit OtItl IL pllCu-
fork. The spectators broke forth,
cheers mingled with Kisses rent the air.
Mr.. Richardson. who was welding the
gavel, in the absence of the assistant SER
tried to suppress the dem
Onstration.
Tillman's first sentences showed that
he had good, well mOdulated voice, but
as he proceeded he pitched it in key
so shrill that it grated like q file. He
was characteristic from the beginning.
He realized that, so far as the galleries |
were concerned, he faced an audience |
which he felt was largely hostile.
Senator Tillman said
81 will begin by introducing myself to |
he representatives of the Democracy of |
he United States as | am, and not as |
he lying newspapers have taught you to |
hink me. loud cheers and laughter) |
It is said that truth never overtakes a |
ie, but | hope when this assembly shall |
nave dispersed to it's home. many thou
sands of my fellow citizens who are here |
will carry hence a different opinion of |
he pitchfork man from South Carolina
o that which they now hold loud |
.heers.)
81 come TO you from the south; from
he home of secession; from the state
where leaders Of"
The balance was drowned by cries and |
Kisses from different portions of the |
louse. Mr.. Tillman. resuming, said:
There are only three things in the |
world that cap hicu