The San Francisco call., 1896-07-09
BLAND IS
GAINING.
Congressman Maguire's
Views of the Chicago
Situation.
GOLD MEN COMBINE TO
DEFEAT HIM.
The Anti Funding Bill Plank
Passed by tne FIatIorm
Committee.
WEADoCKS STUBBORN FIGHT
AGAINST IT.
The Silver Men Have a Handsome
Majority and Are Confident
of Winning.
WEADoCKs STUBBORN FIGHT
AGAINST IT.
The Silver Men Have a Handsome
Majority and Are Confident
of Winning.
THE CALLS HEADQUARTERS,
GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL,


Among the leading candidates for Presi-
dent Bland is the only one who appears to
be gaining ground. Illinois pledged her
As votes TO him on Monday. Tennessee
pledged him her a votes yesterday and
the Georgia and Virginia delegations de-
clared for him to-day.
There are predictions that the gold men
will select one of the other silver candi-
dates and nominate him over Bland by
casting their solid vote whenever the OPP
portunity may offer. Just now their
motto seems to be anything to beat
Bland" and they are not concerned about
the "hoodoo' which their support would
cast upon the candidate so nominated. In
deed while they profess the tenderest So
licitude for the welfare of the party, they
seem to think that its welfare would be
best promoted by its defeat in the coming
campaign.
The gold men held conference in Chi
cago last ev ming and decided to devote
their energies and means to the organiza-
tion of gold monometallic Democratic
clubs throughout the Union during the
next four wears to teach the people the
beauties of English monometallism. One
of the distinguished leaders of this educa-
tional movement is Colonel John P. Irish,
Naval Officer at the port of San Francisco.
1t was expected that the convention
would to-day adopt its platform, but the
exciting struggle over the Michigan con-
test lasted until nearly 10 P. NJ, and, after
effecting permanent organization. the con-
vention adjourned for the day. The plat
form will be reported Immediately after
the assembling of the convention to-mor-
row and will probably be adopted as re-
ported.
The subcommittee on platform inserted
the anti-funding bill plank. and as it was
this morning adopted by the full commit
lee 1t is now part of the platform to be
reported to the convention tomorrow and
Will undoubtedly be adopted by that body.
This we regard as great victory and feel
we'll rewarded for all the effort that it has
cost.
Senator White, having been selected for
permanent chairman, requested that 1 be
selected to take his place on the commit
tee on platform, which the delegation
promptly did.
We expected a stubborn fight against
that part of the platform, as Mr. Weadock
OF Michigan, who was one of the strongest
Il
third Congress, is the administration rep
resentative from the State of Michigan in
the committee. The plank approving the
action of the Fifty-third Congress was a
direct condemnation of his course in sup
porting the bill.
At first he seemed determined to oppose
the adoption of the plank, but finally
came to me and asked if l was going to
insist upon it. 1 told him / certainly
would insist upon it more strenuously
than upon any other plank in the plat
form. When the plank was about to be
read, however, he left the room and did
not return during its consideration. 1
think the reason for his desertion of his
once favorite measure was that he re-
ceived no encouragement from the other
members of the committee, who had been
thoroughly canvassed and advised about
the matter. Allen w. Thurman of Ohio
was one OF our champions and Senator
Tillman, he of the pitchfork-tongue, was
also member of the committee and eager
10 lash any friend of the monopoly who
might raise his voice there. Congressman
Robertson Of Louisiana was memb ber of
the subcommittee and rendered us great
service. JAMES G. MAGUIRE.