New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-07


DAVID b. HILL
cratic National Committee. Mr.. Hills room
early In the day became the council chamber OF
W. c. Whitney, Don NJ Dickinson William r.
Harrity, Senator Gray, OF Delaware; Senator
Lindsay of Kentucky; Wilson S. Bissell. ex-
Postmaster-Ceneral;e Ex-Governor William T..
Russell, Of Massachusetts,. and other leaders OF
the gold element of the Democratic party. who
were deslrous of bringing about the selection by
the National Committee of Mr.. Hill as tempo
rary chairman. 1t was with a knowledge also
en- their part that the free-coinage Democrats
would oppose Mr.. Hill's election when his name
should be submitted to the Convention. better
fight, it was argued. could be made for the
temporary craftsmanship with Hill than with any
other man, since he had held decidedly friendly
relations with the silver Democrats Of the South
for long time, and they would be reluctant to
vote against him. Possibly. Also his bimetallic
attitude might catch the votes Of the delegates
Of Ohio and Indiana. A much greater apparent
strength for gold platform might be secured II
Mr.. Hill were named than is actually the case.
and a big gold vote. although deceptive one
would have its value in influencing the Conven.
ton.
Mr. Hill talked frankly about the situation.
ventior" be said. "and we might as well have
the first skirmish. 1t will be good policy to have
the conflict begin on temporary chairman, II
seems to me, and am willing to be the victim
If 1 am to be defeated
Senator Hill was we'll aware that his dear
friend. Senator Daniel. Of Virginia. who pre-
sented his name for President at the Democratic
National Convention Of 1892. would be put up
candidate against him by the free-coinage
Democrats. but, while regretting this circum-
stance. he would not refrain from becoming .
candidate himself.
The Democratic National Committee met at
noon and Immediately began the consideration
Of the contested election cases. Mr.. Hill, Mr..
Whitney and the other eminent Democrats
present in Mr.. Hills room waited anxiousy
for the first vote on contested district. tho
free-coinage Democrats having boasted that
they had captured the committee. Don NJ
Dickinson was so nervous that he left the coun-
Gil room and went to the corridor outside OF the
room in which the committee In session.
After about two hours he returned with a ra-
diant face and reported that the committee. BY
a vote of 46 to /, had decided in his favor. re-
fusing to unseat the Michigan gold Democrat
This was pleasant news, but there was still
fear that Mr.. Hill might be beaten by Mr.. Dan.
on the Nebraska contests. instigated by William
j. Bryan. revealed, however that the gold Demo-
Gratis were still in possession Of the committee.
Bryan being defeated by a vote Of % to %. This
was regarded as a test vote upon Mr.. Hill and
Mr.. Daniel in the committee. and so It proved
to be, for half an hour afterward 1t was an.
nounced that Mr.. Hill had been selected for
temporary chairman by a vote OF % to -.
The free-coinage Democrats said tonight that
they would contest Mr.. Hills selection In the
Convention tomorrow. making Senator Daniel
their candidate In opposition TO him.
This vote on temporary chairman promises to
give considerable information regarding the
strength OF the gold and the free-coinage Demo-
Gratis in tn, Convention The free-cCinage lead.
say they will be able to deter mine from the
vote whether or not 1t Is necessary to abrogate
the two-thir1s rule in order 10 nominate free
coinage candidate for President
Mr.. Hill was asked to-day whether there was
any truth In the report printed in The Chicago
TimesHerad' that the New-York delegation
would bolt from rhe Convention II the Michigan
delegation should be unseated. There isn't q
word Of truth in the story" he said. "and no
basis to It, | said to Senator Cockrell yesterday,
fowever. that should regard the unseating OF
the Michigan delegation as an indefensble In.
nov alton upon party practice. You cannot un.
seat two or three delegates Of a State delegas
ton. as is done in Republican National Con-
Is elected as a whole by Democratic State Con-
ventions. Hence. you must unseat an entire
State delegation II you unseat any OF It's mem.
bers. They are not elected by Cons ress districts
separately from State conventions, as is the case
in the Republican party. Either the Michigan
delegation a whole should lose their seats, OF
whole they should be retained In the Con.
vention understand that only two Michigan
Congress districts are contested; the entire del.
egation is not contested. 1t would be an In.
vasion Of States rights. in my opinion. for .
National Convention thus to Gull out four dele
gates Of a State delegation and give their seats
to four other men,.
DETAILS OF THE PROCEEDINGS
Chicago. July 6.-The Democratic National
Committee beginning its meeting at noon to-
day, transacted its business at a single session.
dsposing OF all the contests for seats and vots
Ing 81 to %. TO report the name Of Senatcs
David b. Hill, of New York. for temporary
chairman OF the National Convention. This
was the test vote in the committee showing
the relative gold and silver strength Of the
organization. The silver showing was made By
the presence OF several proxies for members OF
the committee who would have voted for Hin
had they been present. There were also ono or
two members OF the committee who. within
the last few days. had announced the transfer
Of their allegiance from gold to silver, notably
J. l.. Norris. Of the District Of Columbia. ana
Arthur Sewali. OF Maine.
The nrst business in order was the cailinr ~