New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-02
FIRST SKIRMISH IN CHICAGO.
SILVER MEN PRESENT THEIR DEMANDS
TO THE ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE

TrvITY AT BIMETALLrc HEAD
oUARTERs-Drscr'ssING ABRo-
CATION OF THE TWO
THIRDS RULE.
Chicago July 1.-The reconnaissance today q
the advance guard Of tie silver forces upon the
ompos,s of the Democratic National Committee.
as planted by its subcommittee was variousiy
viewed by the participants after the former had
retired to its own camp. According to Chairman
Harrity the visiting elegaton-composed OF Sen.
ators Turpie Daniel and Jones. and Governors
Stone and Altgeld-simply "ferced for points,"
and according to Governor Aitgeld and Senator
Daniel the fencing was entirely satisfactory to
the silver side. At least one OF their colleagues.
however, was inclined 10 regard the outcome as
draw with the Indications favorable TO the
silver men getting the worst of Il when hnai
conclusions tried with the National Conn
mttee next Monday. The purpose OF the vislt
OF the silver delegation to the National Suo-com-
n.ttee. said In yesterdays d!spatches.
was to present the views of the leaders OF tho
white metal majority concerning the selection OK
temporary chairman. the disposition Of contests
and the rollcal on the temporary Organization.
PRESENTING THE SILVER CASE.
Senator Jones led In the presentation os the
silver case and was followed by Senator Turpe
and Governor Altg-ld.
When they had concluded Chairman Harrity.
who had previously consulted with his aeo.
cates and found them to be OF one mind. ex-
planned that the Subcommittee was possessed
Of no inherent power to settle the questions az
issue. He referred the delegation to the record
OF the preliminary proceedings OF the sup-com-
mittee and the National Committees or 1871
and 1894. and pointed out that IT was the ex-
elusive province Of the full National Committee
to pass Professionally upon contesting delcga-
tions in making up the preliminary roll OF tha&
Convention.
AS to the matter Of temporary chairman, II
was one also altogether within the control ana
discretion Of the National Committee. but ne
was willing to promise that nothing definite
should be done until the delegation had an OPP
portunity Of conferring with the full body on
Monday. For the present he and his associates.
without prejudice to either side. were power
less to act With this crumb of comfort the
delegation was compelled to be content. As Il
withdrew, Governor Altgeld expressed the
opinion that, Judging from the reception acc
corded to It, there was every reason TO nope
that an amicable arrangement would be reached
when the delegation had opportunity or OUT
lining Its position to the National Committee
Outside Of this episode the day was not pro-
ductive OF any striking developments There
were few new arrivals. while the advance guards
already on the ground busted themselves with
preparations for ,he accommodation of the rank
and file that will begin 10 pour in tomorrow.
ALTGELDs SCHEME IN DANGER
The Rimetallic Democratic National Conven.
ton dispensed with It's morning and afternoon
sessions pending report from the committee
appointed to wait upon Chairman Harrity ana
his associates but its quarters were the princi-
pal centre Of attraction and were crowded oy
local and visiting silverites throughout the day.
The action OF the Illinois delegation In determin-
ing TO lead the attack for the abrogatlon or the
two-thirds rule was a fruitful topic OF discus
sion, and during the day II developed that Cow
ernor Altgeld's scheme was in danger from an
unexpected source and that Michigan rather
than Illinois might become the pivotal state anu
WELD the balance Of power In the Convention.
Two delegates from the Vth District OF that
State--William f. Mcknight and George =.
Hummer. both active free silverites-were among
the visitors TO headquarters. and conferred at
mttee The situation in the Wolverine State
Is that while fourteen out OF the twenty six dele.
gates silverites. the delegation Is instructed
for gold and bound to that standard by the unit
rule. II is proposed however to precip!tate Q
fight the enforcement Of that rule In advance
of any action on the two-thirds issue.
PLANS OF THE MICHIGAN MEN.
In the event Of the unit rule being declared
invalid, there would be no necessity for the SUBJ
stitution Of a majority vote for the two-thirds
vote for the silver votes OF the Wolverine State
would give TO that side the necessary nominating
majority and one or two to spare. This was the
suggestion exploited by the Michigan delegates.
but It was not received with especial enthusiasm.
Governor Altgeld and his lieutenants had already
enlisted the bulk OF the binetallic support for
the abolition of the two-thirds rule. and II was
held by most OF those approached by the Mchf.
gan men that the Illinois scheme was an easier
and surer way Of placing silver nominees upon
q silver platform than any other attack upon the
tme-honored unit rule. Part q the plan OF the
Michigan silver men is TO 60 before the Commit.
tee on Credentials and ask the unseating OF the
entire gold wing Of the State delegates. among
whom is Elliott G. Stevenson. law partner Of ex-
Secretary Don NJ. Dickinson. on the ground that
the State Convention was packed and a free ex.
preston OF opinion suppressed.
CONVENTION ARRANGEMENTS.
Secretary Shee-in reported to the sub-com.
mit;ee to-day his allotment Of tickets for the
press. but the result Will not be made known
until tomorrow on later. Sergeant-at-Arrno
Martin when waited upon by the committee ap-
pointed at yesterdays caucus o, the Illinois DEL
egation 10 demand additional appointments and
tickets maintained the stand that he had pre-
viously taken. and SAID with emphasis that not
o Chicago man would be placed In charge OF 4
door. He succeeded In convincing the COM
m!ttee that his position was right oae and it
will 30 report wnen the caucus reassembles on
Sunday morning
THE vICE-PRESIDENTS VISIT.
Vice-President Stevenscn's presence under the
roof Of the Palmer House .or few hours on HE
way to his home IN Bloomington failed 70 create
even flutter Of interest. His callers were numer-
Gus. but their missions were more social than
political and the Vice President himself declined
10 discuss the situation or the coming convention
even from abstract point OF view IL was no.
tceabe. however that most Of his callers were
identified with the gOli-standari element OF the
Illinois Democracy. and this led TO the c!rcula-
ton OF a rumor that II the Altgeld- Bimetalc eie.