Omaha daily bee., 1896-05-08
PLATFORM IS FOR FREE SILVER.
Tennessee Democrats AdoDt n Strong,
DlanlS lie Mauex. AunstinI,

Tennessee Democrats Adopt n Strong
Plank on the Money Question.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. May H--The largest
democratic state convention ever held in
Tennessee has met and adjourned. 1t was
free silver convention from start to finish.
Fully $500 delegates and visitor were in at
tendance Nothing of Importance was done
until about o'clock tonight. when vote
on contested delegations was had.
Reports showed that the free
silver men proposed to grant no
quarter to the handful of sound money dele
gates. A. B. Woodward of Fayetteville
and Columbus March Banks of Chattanooga,
were chosen electors for the state-at-large.
Senators Ieham G. Harris and w. b. Bate,
e. W. Carmack, Memphis, and II. NJ McCon-
nel Chattanooga We're chosen delegates from
the state-at-large to Chicago. The dis
trict delegates chosen today were accepted
by the convention.
The convention was called to order today
in the hall Of the house of representatives
The attendance of delegates and visitors was
very large, the hall and galleries being
dersely crowded. Hon. Benton Mcmillan,
member of congress from the Fourth dis
trict, was elected temporary chairman.
Mr.. McMillin said, in his speech, that the
time had come for the free, unlimited and,
If necessary, the independent coinage of sill
yer at the ratio of l6 to l. He then re-
viewed the financial question at length par
ticularly the periods Of 1873 and 1878.
After Mr.. McMiilin had concluded his
speech there was considerable discussion as
to the appointment of committees. Mr.. Rich
ardson moved that the temporary chairman
appoint three members each of the commit
tees on credentials and permanent organiza-
tion and six on resolutions, and that the ten
congressional DISTRICTS choose one of each
committee. The question was debated at
much length, and finally a substitute offered
by Mr.. McNeal was accepted. 1t was the
same as Mr.. Richardson's original motion,
except that the charmen were authorized to
appoint only three members of the commit
tee on resolutions, while the congressional
districts choose two each. Most of the COM
mitteemen were then appointed and the con-
vention adjourned until o'clock.
At p. IN. the convention reassembled.
The committee on credentials not being ready
to report speechmaking to wild and dis
orderly convention filled in the time until
after 6 o'clock, when recess was taken.
Some OF the speeches were very bitter and
abusive of President Cleveland, but were not
received without decided disapproval. Chair
man Shields called the convention TO order
at s o'clock. The report OF the committee on
was made, and because of the
tumult and disorder was not adopted until
after a wrangle and roll call. The plat
form contains strong free silver plank as
follows:
we demand restoration of the money
of the constitution by law providing for
the free and unlimited coinage of both gold
and silver as full legal tender money at the
ratio OF l6 to regardless of the action of
any other nation.
The platform also demands laws. state and
making gold and silver legal ten
der for all debts. and prohibiting contracts
against either; the repeal of
the 10 per cent tax on Issues of state banks;
tariff for revenue only and an income tax
The administration of President Cleveland
Is not mentioned and only referred to by
Inference. Ex-Governor Robert Taylor was
nominated for governor by acclamation.
Missouri PrOhibitionists in Session.
SBDALIA, Mo-. May THE state prohi-
bition convention to nominate state officers
was called to order at 10 o'clock this fore
noon by G. E. Stokes, chairman of the state
central committee. John Sobieski, Newton
county, was made temporary chairman. L.
II. Kelly of st. Louis temporary secretary.
Eight delegates at-large and thirty district
delegates and alternates to the national con-
vention were elected. The platform commit
tee will not report until tomorrow morning