The record-union., 1896-07-02
In the Interest of Organizing the
Democratic Convention.
The Delegation Informed by Chairman
Harrity That the Friends OF the
White Metal Would be Given
Hearing Before the Full National
Committee Before the Selection OF
aTemporary Chairman is Made.

CHICAGO, July line fecoliloieei
to-day of the skirmish guard OF the sli-
Ner forces upon the outposts OF the Ma
tional Democratic committee, dS
planned by its subcommittee, was
variously viewed by the participates
after the former had retired TO us own
camp. According to Chairman Har-
rity, the visiting delegation, composed
of Senators Turpie, Daniel Jones anu
Governors Stone and Altgeld, Simply
''fenced for points" And, ACCORDING 10
Governor Altgeld and Senator Dalilei'
the fencing was entirely Satisfactory
to the silver side. At least one OF thelr
collea CUES, however, was 1ncnneu 10
regard the outcome as draw, with the
indications favorable to the silver men
getting the worst of it when maj con-
clusions were tried with the Natonai
Committee next Monday.
The purpose of the visit OF the silver
delegation to the National Sub-Coin-
1rittee. as stated in the United Press
dispatches of yesterday, was to present
the views of the leaders of the white
metal majority concerning the selection
of Temporary Chairman, the d1sposl-
ton of contests and the roll-call ON the
temporary organization. Senator Jones
led in the presentation of the silver
cause, and was followed by Senator
Turpie and Governor Altgeld.
When they had concluded, Chairman
Harrity, who had previously consulted
with his associates and found them to
be of one mind, explained that the
subcommittee was possessed of no in
herent power to settle the questions at
issue. He referred the delegation to
n
ings of the subcommittee and Nation
al Committees of 1890 and 1884, and
pointed out that it was the exclusive
province of the full National Commit
tee to pass upon contesting delegations
in making up the preliminary roll or
that convention. AS to the matter of
Temporary Chairman, it was one also
altogether within the control and Stis-'
cretion of the National Committee, but
he was willing to promise that nothing
definite in this direction should be done
until the delegates had been afforded
on Monday an opportunity of comforting
with the full body. For the present,
he and his associates, without preju
dice to either side, were powerless to
act.
With this crumb of comfort the dele
AS it withdrew Governor Altgeld ex-
pressed the opinion that. judging from
the reception accorded it, there was
every reason to hope that an amicable
arrangement would be reached when
the delegation was afforded an oppor-
tunity of outlining its position to the
National Committee.
Outside of this episode the day was
not productive of any striking develop
ments. There We're but few new arriv-
ais, while the advance guard already
on the ground busted themselves with
preparations for the accommodation of
the rank and file that will begin to pour
In tomorrow.
The Rimetallic Democratic Committee
dispensed with its morning and after
noon sessions pending a report from the
committee appointed to wait upon
Chairman Harrity and his associates,
but its quarters were the principal point
OF attraction for silverites throughout
the day.
The action of the Illinois delegation
in determining to lead the attack for
the abrogation of the two-thirds rule
was a fruitful topic OF discussion, and
during the day it developed that Gov
ernor Altgeld's scheme was in danger
from an unexpected source, and that
Michigan rather than Illinois, might
become the pivotal State and WELD the
balance of power in the convention.
The two delegates from the Fifth Dis
trict of that State, William f. Mcknight
and George p. Hummer, both active free
silverites, were among the visitors at
headquarters, and conferred at length
with the members of the Executive
Committee.
The situation in the Wolverine State
IS that while fourteen out of the twenty
six DELEGATES are silverites, the dele
gates are instructed for gold, and bound
70 that standard by the unit rule. 1t is
proposed. however 10 precipitate a
fight on the enforcement of that rule
in advance of any action on the two
thirds issue In the event of the unit
rule being declared invalid, there will be
no necessity for a substitution of a ma
jority. for the two-thirds vote for the
silverites of the Wolverine State would
give that side a ma jority and one or two
to spare. This was the suggestion ex-
plotted by the Michigan delegates, but
ii was not received with special enthu-
siasm. Governor Altgeld and his lieu
tenants had already enlisted the bulk
OF the bimetallic support of the Illinois
delegation for the abolition of the two
thirds rude, and it was held by most of
those approached by the Michigan men
that the Illinois scheme was an easier
and surer way of planting silver nomi-
nees upon a silver platform than any
attack upon the time honored unit rule.
Part of the plan of the Michigan sill
yer men is to go before the Committee
on Credentials and aslt unseating OF
the entire gold wing of the State dele
gates, among whom arc Elliott c. Stev-
enson. law partner Of ex-Secretary Don
NJ Dickinson, on the ground that the
State Convention was packed and free
expression of opinion suppressed
Secretary Sherin reported to the sub
committee to-day his allotment of tick
cts for the press, but these will not be
made known until tomorrow or later.
Sergeant-atArms Martin, when waited
upon by the committee appointed at