New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-10
A REVOLUTIONARY DAYS WORK.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

A REVOLUTIONARY DAYS WORK.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuNE.l
Chicago. July O-Ths Democratic National
Convention adopted this afternoon party plat
form which is to serve for the next four months
as a ralyng cry for all the elements of un-
rest and disorder now pressing to the surface
In American politics, and this evening turned to
the task Of naming a Presidential candidate
under whose leadership the forces Of popular
fanaticisrn and discomfort might most fifty
march to what already their inevitable
defeat.
At 1888 o'clock at night the Convention ad-
journed till 10 o'clock Friday morning, six can
ddates having been placed ir. nomination, but
no ballots having been taken
BY the vote OF more than a two-thirds ma
iority of the delegates to 3O1-the heterodox
and revolutionary platform presented by the
Southern and Western leaders. who have sud-
denly graspei the reins of party management
was made the accepted party faith and the
recognized test Of party loyalty.
The announcement Of the chairman Of the
Convention that the new programme Of the
Southern and Western agitators had triumphed
by so overwhelming q majority marked the
final passing Of power from the hands OF the
Eastern managers who have dictated party
policy and appropriated party honors for more
ian a generation II ushered In at the same
time a revolution in Democratic party politics
perhaps as violent and far-reaching In its effects
as that which split the antebellum organization
at Charleston thrty-six years ago. The victors
In to-days contest. face. In fact, threatened
disruption Of the party In more than dozen
States, and. though the beaten representatives
Of the gold-standard faction have not carried
their resentment to the point Of actual secession
from the Convention 1t is already plain to the
most casual observer that the continued domina-
tion OF the influences which framed to-day's
platform will involve the speedy dsintegration
OF the party, and a readjustment of the condi-
tions Of American politics Of which not even
the kcenest t-sighted can now the ultimate
effects.
THE EAsTS UPHILL FIGHT.
The Eastern and more conservative elements
In the party did not yield their ground without
a desperate struggle against the rising flood
of Populst fanatcism. Their numerical Feeble
ness left them no role to play but that Of par
liamentary protest. yet in spite OF the hopeless
ress of their task they continued their fight to
the end with skill and effectiveness Senator
Hill by an all-around onslaught on the platform
sought to shake the solidarity OF the free-con-
aqe ranks and secure some important modihca-
ton in the text Of the more radical ana reVou-
tionary paragraphs His efforts. though cleverly
directed, failed at every point. however ana ne
succeeded only once In breaking the solid ranks
OF the free-coinage column on the trial OF
.,renoth over the adoption or rejection of his
resolution commencing the honesty. economy
courage and fidelity" Of the Clevelond Admins
fort nr
coinage men with Administration or ofice-hold-
ing affiliations. deserted the silver majority ana
belned raise the total cast for Mr. Hllrs resou-
ton to 367 against 564 votes In opposition.
The original motion to substitute Sound
money" plank for the free-coinage declaration
-, Tho n,atform as reported by the Committee
on Resolutions. was defeated by ool 'otes 10
goo Roth on this ballot and In the final one.
adopting the entire platform. the free-coinase
leaders demonstrated that they controlled two
,,,rds majority in the Convention. On both
tests they had exactly eight votes to spare.
CONTEST OVER THE PLATFORM
Tho parliamentary contest ever the platform
,.s,sd about seven hours. and was marked
,hroughout by the intensest political excitement
senator HILL Senator Tillman and ex-Represen-
,at,ve Bryan. Of Nebraska were the chief ngures
IN the struggle and at least one OF them acheved
. nersonal triumph Of the first order. 1t is to the
c,ed,t of the Convention. one OF the few re-
do.n,,np facts in its melancholy record. that 1t
showea marked impatience of the intense and
calculated demagogy OF "Pitchfork' Tillman.
while Il appauded in rapture the milder and less
or,h,ttered periods Of the Nebraska editor
Mr. Tillman. who rose first to defe9d the Pop
r,,.t,c bodge.podge offered TO the Convention as
a nlatform. found himself facing hostile and
.,sn,c,ous audience which greeted with angry
h,sses his first attempt at billingsgate political
oro,orv The South Carolina Senator's In
,udicious declaration that the issue raised by the
n,atforro was avowedly and essentially sec
,,onal issue brought a roar OF dissent and pro-
Toe, from the floor and galleries. and so great
waa the Indignation OF the free-coinage leaders
=. ,h,s unwelcome admission that Senator Jones.
., arkansas. was forced to take the platform
and passionateiy disavow any purpose on the
nart ~ the silver leaders TO set on FOOT cam
,oign NJ one section against another
HILL A COMMANDING FIGURE.
csrator Hill held the attention OF the Conven-
,,or more successfully than the intemperate
sou,h Carolina autocrat. and compelled the ad-
n,rat,on even OF his opponents by the adroitness
with which he defended the losing cause OF the
cold standard delegates. While ostensibly com.
,ng forward 70 advocate the retention Of the gold