Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-07-06

They are all Solid for the Missouri
Statesman, and Believe Him a
Sure Winner Over Two Hundred
Votes Rallied to His Support-All
OF Them are Either Instructed or
P.edged-The Bland Managers
Cautioned to be on the Lookout
for the Usual Opposition TO Lead
ing Candidates.
Chicago, July 5.-The Bland forces
executed a coup to-day by conven!ng
caucus at the Sherman House at 2:S0
O'clock, attended by representatives of
those trans-M.ssissippi States favorable
to Bland. The notice OF the caucus had
not been widely circulated, so that the
large attendance of prominent western
leaders was a source Of unexpected graf
ification to the Bland managers. Six
peen States were represented, having an
aggregate Of 21S votes in the convention,
and from the assurances given it was
believed that most, if not all of these
western votes could be relied on for
Bland
The States represented with their re-
spective votes were as follows: Arkan-
sas, 16, Colorado s, Idaho G. Illinois As,
Kansas 20, Missouri "a, Montana 6,
Oregon 8, Texas 80. Utah G. Washing
ton s, Wyoming 6, Arizona 8, New Mex
ico 6, Indian Territory 6, Oklahoma 6,
Alaska 6.
These States comprise all west of the
Missouri river except California and ths
two Dakotas.
The meeting was organized by the Sc
lection of ex-senator Martin, of Kan
sas, as chairman, and l.. 7. Dashiel, OF
Texas, as secretary. In taking the
chair, Senator Martin made a vigorous
speech in support of the Bland candi-
dacy. On a call Of the States a delegate
from each of the States represented
spoke of the Bland sentiment. Govern
or Overmyer, of Kansas, declared that
Bland was the only candidate who could
be sure of carrying Kansas, and that the
delegation from that State would stand
for him first, last and all the time. Rep
ressctatiye Bailey, of Texas, talked in
vigorous sty0r ~ grppoft Of DiaEd, but
cautioned the friends OF
THE MISSOURI CANDIDATE
to be prepared for that opposition which
alwaye concentrates against the fore
most candidate. Speeches were made
also by representatives from Indian Ter.
ritory. Utah. Arizona, New Mexico Ok
lahoma and Colorado. They were uni
formly enthusiastic and voiced the sem
timent that Bland was such an exponent
of silver as to make him the strongest
and most available candidate in the
western States.
One of the strongest speeches was
made by Buck" Hinreichsen, of the
Illinois delegation, who is regarded as
next to Governor Altgeld in influence
on that delegation He spoke strongly
in favor Of Bland. and expressed the
opinion that the IS votes of Illinois
would be given to the Missouri candi-
date.
No action was taken beyond hearing
the reports of the various States and eX-
changing congratulations on what the
Bland managers regarded as most IA
vOrabe showing. They pointed out in
particular that ne caucus was represe1-
ta.ive of the western sta S, and that
besides these Bland had large follow
ing in the South. The sentiment was
that the delegates OF the West, having
thus met in caucus and expressed their
preferences. should now exert Ueir in
1uenca upon the delegates Of Che south,
with a view to persuade them tn1t the
West and the South, united, could COM
mand the situation.
The meeting adjourned to meet again
at 10 o'clock tonight, a which time fur
ther accessions were expected II was
exp'ained that the two DakOtas and
California were nCt represented by rea-
son OF the fact that the delegations from
these States had not caucused. Tha
Bland managers are confident, however,
that these three States will Join with
Alt OtttlS v llNil llAFN iitAlNt-NDN "a ~
ference for Bland
SOME QUESTION WAS RAISED
as to whether the expression given al
the caucus Couli be relied upon as show
ing the tendency of the various States
repreeented. Secretary Dashiell said
positively after the caucus that the ex-
pressions in each case were not those OF
individual delegates but correctly stat
ed the position of the various States,
either as a result Of a caucus or OF in
strucdcas. In some Of the States rep
resented. however. il IS evident that
the full delegation cannot be claimed
with positiveness for Bland Oregon
has Governor PennOyer for its first
choice. and there are said to be scatter