Birmingham state herald., 1896-06-10

free silver democrats The call for this assembly was issued by Senator Harris of
 Tennessee, Senator James K. Jones Of
 Arkansas and Senator David Turpie of
 Indiana. This convention appointed the
 following central executive committee,
 which opened headquarters in Senator
 Harris house, No. 13 First street, North
 east Washington, D. C.: Senator Isham
 G. Harris, Senator James K. Jones, Sena-
 tor David Turpie, Gov. William J. Stone
 of Missouri, Ex-Speaker Charles F. Crisp,
 William H. Hinrichsen of Illinois and Ca
 sey Young of Tennessee. 'sOf this executive committee Senator Harris was made chairman. Senator Jones' treasurer and T. O. Towles Of Missouri, secretary. While Senators
 Harris and Jones have been the organiz- ing and dictating brains of the free silver movement, Colonel Towles attended to infinite details of correspondence and se- lecting proper representatives and work CTS.
 "This central executive committee was given power to extend and perfect the organization of silver democrats, always
 within party lines, throughout the union. The Silver Committeeman. 'The central executive committee at once began it's labor by selecting ener- getic active workers in over thirty states and territories, who should act as na- tional committeeman and have charge of the organization of silver sentiment in the counties, municipalities and subordi- nate divisions of their respective fields. The following committeeman were cho- sen:
 "Alabama-J. w. Tomlinson. "Arkansas--C. Armstrong. "California-C. J. Clunie. "Colorado-C. s. Thomas. "Florida--F. G. Harris. "Georgia-P. Walsh. "Idaho-G. Ainslie. "Illinois-G. w. Fithian. "Indana-B. F. Shively. .Iowa-S. B. Evans. "Kansas-D. J. Overmeyer. "Kentucky-H. A. Sommers. "Louisiana-M J. Cunningham. | "Massachusetts-F. K. Foster. "Michigan-G. P. Hummer. "Mississippi-R. H. Taylor. "Missouri-L. V. Stephens. "Montana-W. A. Clark. "Nebraska-C. J. Smyth. "Nevada-I. H. Dennis. "North Carolina-T. J. Jarvis North Dakota-William Roach. "Ohio-A. W. Thurman. "Oregon-T. O'Day. South Carolina-W. D. Mayfield. ''Tennessee-J M. Head. "Texas-H. Chiffon. "Virginia-P. J. Otey. 1 "Washington-C. H. Warner. West Virginia-D. B. Lucas. "Wyoming-J. E. Osborne. "Arizona-W. H. Barnes. "NeW Mexico-W. s. Hopewell "Oklahoma-Dr. A. J. Beale. "Utah-O. ". Powers. Tt will be noticed that every state and | territory south of the Potomac and west | of the Alleghenies is represented, with | the exception of Wisconsin and Minne- | sota. This work was continued until vast correspondence was built up and l good organization perfected. ''The democratic sentiment in many Of | the states, especially those reliably dem- | ocratc, was so overwhelmingly in favor of silver that 1t was unnecessary to per l feet in them detailed organization. In | other states where federal patronage was | of strong influence, or where considera- | bIe sentiment existed against free silver, | it became necessary to complete a perfect | organiza ton.
 Alabama Was an Excellent Example. i '"Therethe administration was confident | that the gold standard would win. But 1 the free silver organization extended into | every precinct in the state, from six to | fifteen workers being detailed to every precinct. The result at the primaries was | proof of the thoroughness and value Of l this organization
 Having once effected this kind of or ganization the hardest and most delicate | part of the work was virtually accom- | plished A vast correspondence running
  l promptly attended to- Hundreds or | thousands of documents were shipped to every section of the country and carefully | distributed This whole movement was conducted so quietly that the gold wing Of l the democracy and the administration | did not fairly realize what was being done | until it was far too late for them to or l ganize effective opposition. | Early Silver Estimates Verified. "So fullv have the estimates made in l January of the way the delegation would | stand in Chicago been borne out that | change of ten votes from the silver col l umn would cover the difference, except | ing, of course, the state of Michigan, where we claimed twenty votes and were manipulated out of the delegation. | Tt must be understood, however, that | the silver sentiment already existed and | did not have to be created. It merely re- | quired organization to make the senti- ment manifest itself at the primaries and | county conventions. Very naturally, | when this began to be done and other | democrats who had not been so prom l inent, outspoken and decided in their sill yer sentiments, saw the movement in the | hands of true and tried democrats of na- | tional reputation, these men, disgusted | with the present administration, and an- l tagonistic to MT Cleveland and his finan- | cial ideas, doubting also the loyalty to | the democratic party of the president and | his chief advisers, at once sought fellow ship with the free silver leaders and helped swell the party vote for the free | silver triumph which is now about to be 1 realized in the Chicago convention. "When the convention meets candi- | dates will be nominated who will com l mand the confidence, respect and hearty | support of the free silver masses of the | country"