The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-02
liver Men Talk With the
National Committee.
ckels Thinks Sound Money
Will Come Out Ahead.
rand Master Sovereign is Opposed
to Gold Standard.

SITS were together for IL hours yester-
ay. when the silver men withdrew,
aving the national committeeman to
bntinue their conference.
The proceedings were informal in
haracter. and while there was no 1c-
imony displayed on either side, the dis
ission was very earnest In character.
here were no formal speeches. The
liver men first asked that II should be
efinitely understood that they did not
ONE as representatives of the silver
ommittee, but as delegates represent
hg the majority view OF the conven-
ion. They expressed desire 20 have
n understanding upon the various
(luestions OF temporary organization,
hairman, seats for delegates and alter
|ates, procedure In regard to the con-
esting delegations and the arrange
hent OF the temporary rollcall.
Referring TO the temporary rolicall,
he members of the executive commit
CO intimated that they would expect TO
onsider the contests as the national
committee had done on all previous oc-
|asions, and make up the temporary roll
all Attention was called TO the fact
contest. except In the one instance Of
Nebraska. The oliver men did not in
Iiicate whether this would be satisfac-
ory. 1t was also stated in behalf of
The national committee that the tickets
would be distributed by the commit
Zee according TO the, established custom.
The principal part OF the conference
WAS adapted TO the selection of a tenn
'borary chairman. but no understand
ing was reached. Chairman Harrity
Btated that he had had no opportunity
for conference with other members of
the national committee. and he did not
teel prepared to Indicate the policy of
the committee. lie said he would be
pleased to confer with the silver men
hgain, and asked them 20 meet the COM
bmittee next Monday, II not before. by
(which time he hoped TO be- able TO speak
|Ruthoritatively. He said he had no cam
|dldate, but declined to say whether the
committee would be disposed to- act
Upon their own responsibility. or accept
khe advice OF the silver men,
Silver men were not pleased with this
statement, but there was nothing for
them to do, but to accept the situation as
at presented itself. This they did. but
not without making their position very
clear. All the visitors talked, and all
agreed in making 1t clear that they
would expect 10 be consulted, and also
that in case OF failure 10 consult them,
and the selection OF presiding officer
whose views were not In harmony with
those of the majority, they would be
heard from In the convention. This was
spoken in courteous language, but IL
was nut so plainly that the members OF
the executive committee did not fail to
comprehend its full import.
The silver men also stated that they
would be satisfied with, and would ac-
cept any man designated by the ma
tional COMMITTEES, provided he was
man OF recognized standing in the
party. and that he was man whose
views were understood everywhere TO
be IN accord with their own on the
financial question. In that event, they
would not ipsistsupon naming the in
dlvidual. as they were indifferent on
that score. They were only concerned
that the convention should be recog-
nized from the beginning as silver
convention, and they felt confident that
many would draw their conclusions as
TO the character of the convention from
the standing of the temporary presid-
ing officer in the silver ranks. Mr.
Harrity and his associates listened
patiently to all this. but gave no sign OF
any inclination to yield to the request.
Chairman Harrity's exact position
was that the full national committee
would have to pass upon the temporary
chairmanship,a and that he had no means
az M I'M h,x b.,, ,l.<,.. 80.
mittee. would regard the subject. He
ventured the opinion that they would
be controlled by their convictions and
their judgment If controlled by con-
viction alone, they would probably Sc
loct man holding the same financial
views which they might individually
hold. whereas IL they consult their judg-
ment, they might select a man whose
Views might be In harmony with the
sentiment of the majority of the com
mittee. He did. he said. suppose that
the executive committee would feel
called upon TO make recommendation.
Jf not, there would be no use for the
silver committee to see the executive
again. and they could call
upon the national committee Monday.
II the executive committee should, how
ever, decide TO act, the silver men would
be notified. and they would be heard
again by the executive committee.
The committee OF five. appointed on
behalf OF the silver delegates 20 confer
with the execu I'VE committee of the ma
tional committee. made its report 90 the
silver delegates at a well attended meet
Ing held at the Sherman House. The
report was made by Senator Jones
OF the committee. The COM
mittee was continued I'm existence by q
vote. In presenting the re.
port, Mr.. Jones stated that the commit
tee was courteously received. and he ex.
pressed the opinion that the executive
was disposed to deal fairly
with the silve-ites. Some OF the other
members OF the committee were not dis
posed to take so sanguine n view OF tho
situation. and at least one OF them ex.
pressed the opinion that II was the pur.
pose OF the national committee to at.
tempt 10 foist gold man on the con.
vention for temporary chairman. There
was no abatement In the demand for q
silver presiding, officer. the delegates
agreeing that they did not propose to