Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-07-24
N,,iona, silver Party Convention.

National Silver Party Convention.
ST.. LOUIS, July 24.-The delegates
to the silver convention this morning
were slow in gathering in the hall and
there was diminished attendance.
Senator Jones, of Nevada, says the
programme for to-day will be the
adoption of the platform, which recon-
mends Bryan and Sewalfs nomination,
and final adjournment.
Chairman st. John raped for ORDER
at 10:4O and Rev. w. r. Covert, oFthe
Missouri delegation, opened the pro-
ceedings with prayer.
Mr.. Baker, of California, chairman
on conference, announced that the two
committees had met this morning and
would meet again at o'clock this Of
ternoon. The silverites were assured,
he said, that the populists were now
working harmonionsIy along the lines
laid down by this convention. He be-
lieved that unanimous report from
the conference committee OF The two
conventions would be one of the strong
est campaign documents that would be
circulated. In order that this might
be successfully accomplished, ne moved
that the further proceedings of the con-
vention relating to the adoption OF a
platform and nominations be deferred
until this afternoon at $50 o'clock.
The motion was carried with but one
dissenting vote.
The remainder of the national COM
mittee was announced, and the men,
bers were requested to meet immedi-
ately upon adjournment this morning.
A motion was made and agreed to
authorizing the committee to fill vacan-
cies.
There was tumultuous demand for
a speech from Senator Stewart, to which
he responded. He said the situation
made him happy. Six months ago the
gold forces believed they had the coun-
try suhjugated. and published to the
world that the silver craze had passed.
The people rose with a rapidity which
had never been equalled, and now there
was to be an alignment of the true
friends and foes of the country in battle
array-just what has been desired by
the silver men for years.
Senator Stewart closed with an appeal
for harmony and he predicted victory.
The convention took up the veteran
soldier resolution and it was decided 10
call the roll of States that the chairman
of delegates might announce the mum
her of veterans in each State delegation.
The call resulted in showing 1876 union
soldiers and Is confederates and four
Mexican soldiers, represented in the
convention. Out of the roll call grew
suggestion which crystalized into a
motion which was agreed TO that the
old soldiers and sailors of the union,
confederate and Mexican war armies
form the basis OF an organization within
the party for campaign purposes to
save the union.
Mrs. Helen NJ. Cougar called q meet
ing of all the ladies present for this
afternoon to form q woman's national
silver league.
Miss Helena Hartnett Mitchell, OF
Alton, Kan, was introduced and stat.
ed that being inspired by the nomina-
ton of Bryan, although she had never
written poem, she had written one on
THE Wall of William Whitney,"
Judge G. r. Scott, of Omaha, teen
addressed the convention. He said
war and pestilence were preferable to
another term of Clevelandism. He
pleaded for American homes and the
little red school house. When Judge
Scott concluded the audience gave
three cheers for Bryan.
Gen. McIvor, OF Louisiana, an ex.Con-
federate, then addressed the conven-
ton, and when he concluded the con-
vention gave three cheers for Exon
federate silverites.
The convention then adjourned to
$50 clock.
Mr.. A. ]. Wedderburn is the men,
Der of the national silver committee
representing Virginia.