The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-07-02
sILVERITES IN A SKIRMISH.
THE FIRST SHOTS FIRED N THE
FIGHT FOR CONTROL.

DeputatiOn of Blmefauists Appear
Before the subcommittee Of the
National Democratic Committee.
Chairman Harrity Gives Them
Cold Comfort-Fhe Intended At
tempt To AbrOgate the TvO-Thirds
Rule Attracting Considerable At
tentiOn.
Chicago. July 1.-The subcommittee of
the national democratic committee on con-
vention arrangements met shortly after
the noon hour to-day in one Of the COM
mittees parlors in the Palmer house.
Chairman Harrity Secretary Sheerin.
Messrs. Prather of Missouri. sherley Of
Kentucky. Wallace of Washington. Nor
ris of the District Of Columbia. and Wall
Of Wisconsin were present when the com
mittee went into secret session. Sergeant
at-Arms Martin was called in TO report
on the appointments ne had made, and
his course regarding doorkeepers was APP
proved. He was given fun power to go
ahead on the same lines.
Chairman Sherley of the sub-commit-
tee on decorations, etc, reported that the
Coliseum would be finished as TO carpen-
ter work and decorations by Saturday,
when a music festival Is to be held. Most
Of the seating work is already done.
Representatives OF the Illinois delega-
ton waited on Col. Martin at noon and
asked on behalf of the gold and silver
elements the appointment of doorkeepers
from this state. but the sergeant-at-arms
adhered to his determination not to APP
point any men with political entangle-
f.t, 20, hs
derelict in their duties.
The national sub-committee adjourned
at o'clock. after receiving a deputation
from the national blmetallio democratic
committee.
guard of the silver forces upon the OUT
posts of the national democratic COM
mittee as planted by its subcommittee,
was variously viewed by the participants
after the former had retired to its own
camp. According to Chairman Harrity
the visiting delegation, composed OF Sem
ators Jones, Turpie Daniel and Cows.
Stone and Altgeld, were simply fencing
for points" According to Gov. Altgeld
and Senator Daniel the fencing was en-
tirely satisfactory to the silver side AT
least one Of their colleagues, however,
was inclined to regard the outcome as a
draw, with the indications favorable to
the silver men getting the worst Of IL
when final conclusions were tried with
the national committee next Monday.
The purpose of the visit of the silver del
egation to the national subcommittee was
to present the views of the leaders of the
white metal majority concerning the tenn
porary chairman, the disposition Of con-
tests and the roll call on the temporary
organization. Senator Jones led in the
presentation of the silver case and was
followed by Senator Turpie and Gov Alt
geld. When they had concluded, Chair
man Harrity who had previously consult
.1 NIT hfu al AZ hon m
be of one mind, explained that the COM
mittee was possessed of no inherent
right to settle the questions at issue. He
referred the delegation to the record of
the preliminary proceedings of the sub
committees and the national committees
of 1890 and 1894, and pointed out that il
was the exclusive province of the full ma
tionaI committee to pass Professionally
upon contesting delegations In making up
the preliminary roll of that committee.
As to the matter of temporary chairman
IL was one also altogether within the
control and discretion of the national
committee but he was willing to promise
that nothing definite In this direction
should be done until the delegation had
been afforded. on Monday, an opportunity
of comforting with the full body. For
the present. himself and his associates
| without prejudice to either side were
powerless to act. With this crumb of
comfort the delegation was compelled to
AS it withdrew, Gov. Atlgeld expressed
the opinion that, judging from the re-
| ception accorded 1t, there was every rea-
| son to hope that an amicable arrange
] ment would be reached when the delega-
| ton was afforded an opportunity of out
! lining its position to the national COM
outside of this episode the day was
| not productive of any striking deVelOp-
| ments. There were few new arrivals
| while the advance guard already on the
| ground busted themselves with prepara-
tions for the accommodation of the rank
and file that will begin to pour in to-
The bimetallic democrats national con-
vention dispensed with its morning and
| afternoon sessions pending a report from
4 the committee appointed to wait upon
| Chairman Harrity and his associates, but
! it's quarters were the principal center of
! attraction, and were crowded by local
and visiting silverites throughout the day
The action OF the Illinois delegation in
| determining to lead the attack for the
| abrogation of the two-thirds rule was
| n fruitful topic Of discussion, and dur
ing the day 1t developed tnat Gov. Altgeld's 3
| scheme was in danger from an unexpect-
| cd source and that Michigan, rather than
| Illinois might become the pivotal state
| and WELD the balance of power in the
| convention. Two delegates from the Fifth
/ district Of that state. William +. Mcknight
| and Gen. p. Hummer, both active free
! silverites, were among the visitors to
! headquarters, and conferred at length
wifi v
/ tee The situation in the Wolverine state
| is that while "A of the 16 delegates are sill
! verites. the delegation Is instructed for
/ eold and bound to that standard by the unit
/ rule. 1t is proposed. hOweverf to pre-
| cipltate a fight on the enforcement of
! that rule in advance of any action
| on the two-thirds issue. In the
| event of the unit rule being declared
| invalid there would be no necessity for
! the substitution of a majority vote for
! the two-thirds vote, for the silver votes
! of the Wolverine state would give that
4 side the necessary nominating. majority
! and one or two to spare. This was the
| suggestion exploited by the Michigan del
| egates. but it was not received with es-
/ peciaI enthusiasm. Gov. Altgeld and his
! iieutenants had already enlisted the bulk
| Of the bi-me tallic support for the abolition
| Of the two-thirds rule and 1t was held by
/ most of those approached by the Michi-
| gan men that the Illinois scheme was an
| easier and surer way Of placing silver
| nominees upon a silver platform than
! any other attack upon the time-honored
| unit rule.
| Part of the plan of the Michigan silver
| men is to go before the committee on
/ credentials and TO ask the unseating of
the entire gold wing of the state delegates,
/ among whom is Elliott G.. Stevenson, law
I Of EparafaFv falrf