The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-06-17


ence were greeted with cheers.
The event of the days session was of
course the speech of Mr.. Fairbanks. the
temporary president. Mr.. Carter placed
air. Fairbankss name before the conven-
ton. and there was not one dissenting
voice when Mr.. Lauterbach. of New York,
Mr.. Platts first lieutenant. seconded the
suggestion of Chairman Carter. The scene
that last week was threatened by Mr..
Thompson, of Indiana, did not occur. Mr..
Fairbanks read his speech from little slips
of cardboard. He had memorized IL so
well that he needed only an occasional
glance at his copy and the awkwardness
of recited speech was thus happily avoid
ed. The speech followed minutely the out
line printed in these dispatches yesterday
morning. 1t was evident that there had
been no changes in the speech, which was
written before Mr.. Hanna found himself
compelled TO surrender to the straight out
gold men, and what was TO be the
advance notice OF Mr.. McKinleys
platform. The first thousand or
more words were devoted to the tariff,
and the reception which that portion of the
speech received in the convention must
have removed what doubt there may have
been in Mr.. Hanna's mind as 10 the rela-
tive importance of the tariff and the cur
rency issue. One after another the well
rounded periods of the brilliant orator fell
ON dull ears. Not hand responded to his
statement that I'VE are sending abroad
millions OF dollars for wool which was paid
to our farmers under the Mckinley law"
1t seemed at first as though the delegates
perhaps could not hear Mr.. Fairbanks.
though his voice was clear and adapted
itself to the vast auditorium from the very
outset. But this soon proved to. be an err
ror. for, from the mement that he reached
the currency question of his speech. his re-
marks were INTERRUPTED again and again
by loud and earnest applause.
CAUSED A FURoRE.
Mr. Fairbanks's clear exposition of the
Republican party's attitude toward the
coinage of silver met with long continued
approval, and he reached the climax Of en-
thusiasm when he declared: Great and
splendid and powerful as our government
is. it cannot accomplish the impossible. 1t
cannot create value. II has not the alchem-
lists subtle art of transmitting unlimited
silver into gold. nor can 1t by omniootent
fiat make so cents worth 100 cents" At this
the convention went almost wild. No man
who saw how the delegates greeted this
firm and unequivocal declaration against
the silver heresy can doubt the Republican
party's unalterable adherence to sound
money.
The convention will insert the word
gold, In its platform tomorrow or Thurs
day, a contingency that neither Major Nc
kinney nor Mr.. Fairbanks contemplated
when this speech was written. but had 1t
been then determined to accept the phrase
so or1 lf,
done Mr. Fairbanks's language could not
have been clearer or more explicit. The
concluding portions of Mr.. Fairbanks's ad-
| dress were made noticeable by the demon
station that marked the name of James G.
Blaine. The plumed knights name holds
| its magic still. AS 1t fell from the speak
er's lips there was first barst of applause.
then the. Maine delegates arose and cheered
and soon the whole convention was on its
| feet giving three lusty cheers for the
| greatest Secretary of State of the genera
| tion.
| Mr. Fairbanks MAS apDlauded when he
completed his address. and Chairman Car
| ter also congratulated him. Then Mr.. Car
| ter read a long list of other officials of the
| convention, after which he handed the
| gavel TO Mr.. Fairbanks, and. with bow to
| him. retired TO seat on the back of the
| stage, and so passes out of political sight
| forever Thomas Carter. the chairman of the
national committee of 1892 Mr.. Hanna
watched him carefully as he thus passed
out OF history Four years hence Mark
| Hanna will be handing over the gavel to
some temporary chairman of the national
Republican convention. He has decided to
| take the national chairmanship, and it is
| generally conceded that the Senator-man-
! ager will be chairman OF the executive
| committee.
This session of the convention was purely
| routine and 1t deserves comment save
line of appreciation for the shrewdness
| displayed by the national committee In in
| viting Rabbi Sale TO deliver the opening
| prayer. Mr.. Mckinley has been alternately
| threatened by the enmity of the American
Protective Association. To have chosen for
| this duty "a minister OF any Christian de-
| nomination would have permitted a con-
| struction of friendliness or opposition to
! this association. Hence the committee cut
| the Gordian knot by the selection of He
brew rabbi. and his excellent prayer justi-
| fled the committees choice. l.. q.
lNDIANIANS .IN IT."