The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-05-08

arraigning Governor Mckinley for his
"Janus-faced'' attitude ON finance
"And yet" added Mr.. Palmer, ''all in
dications point to the fact that the
subject of that criticism will be the
Republican candidate for the Presi-
dency."
A Senator across the aisle whispered
to Mr.. Palmer the substance of the
bulletins from the indianapolis con-
yention, whereupon Mr.. Palmer added:
"In fact | understand that the oppO-
sition to him has broken down"
Mr.. Palmer was drawn into a hot
colloquy with the two Missouri Sena-
tors, Mr.. Vest and Mr.. Coclrell. The
former wanted to know what Mr.
Palmer meant by a reference to "snap"
conventions favoring silver.
ST mean," replied Mr.. Palmer, ''the
conventions held last year in Missouri
and Illinois,"
'What was the snap feature of the
Illinois convention|
"An unnecessary convention is a
snap convention" declared Mr.. Pal
mer. These conventions were called
to commit the Democracy in advance
to the free silver dogma
Mr.. Coclrell answered that the Mis-
souri, convention was one of the most
representative gatherings ever held
1t was called because the Democracy
was being misrepresented and an at
tempt made to commit it to gold
Mr.. Vest declared that the Missouri
convention was response to the peo-
pie. ''Ihe people led and" added Mr.
Vest, "the people assemble conventions
and any man who tries to stop them
will be crushed. Manhood and de-
eency will no longer permit us to
stand here and be accused of advo-
eating 'unsound money and of assem-
bling snap conventions.
At this point Mr.. Vest brancbed off
into a sensational recital Of personal
history. He spoke Of the order Just
made public by which this administra-
tion extended Civil Service reform. It
was one of the tenents OF this school
that the patronage Of the government
shall not be used to influence politics.
Mr.. Vest went on to tell of the Presi-
dents removal of United States Dis
trict Attorney Benton, Of Missouri.
When he (Mr. Vest) first read this an
nouncement he started Immediately
for Washington and asked His Ex-
cellency" what had led to the perpe-
tration of this outrage, the removal
of a man of unimpeachabIe character
and ability. The President brought
out n newspaper paragraph, charging
Col. Benton with pernicious activity
He had shown the charges to be un-
founded and the Presidemt was just
enough to revoke the order, after Civ
ing to.the public letter openly leeUur-
ing Col. Benton against any partici-
paoion in politics while serving the
government.
Mr.. CockFell interrupted at this
point to ask as to the recent Michigan
Democratic convention at Detriot, de-
claring that Federal officials had gone
there as delegates instructed for silver
and had voted against silver
Mr.. Vest proceeding, said he referred
to the Presidents letter to Col. Benton,
warning him against 'dabbling" in
politics because this administration of
late had given its whole influence and
power to influence the political senti-
1nent Of the people, to influence these
so-caIled snap convent tions. Mr.
Vest referred to the Nebraska conven-
tion, where, he said, 'office-holders,
postmasters, collectors of internal
revenue, their lungs filed with the air
which came from the Treasury" were
in control. The Senator spoke Of
Cabinet officers speaking about the
country, and added that he had mot
heard whisper Of criticism from His
Excellency"
Mr. Vest next turned his attention
to the recent Michigan Democratic
ticle written by one of the delegates
who participated in that shameful
scene" The article detailed the action
of "bacllsliders" and TRAITORS" who
had been instructed for silver and
voted against it. The Senator said he
had many letters from men of high
standing, including some of those cho-
sen to the National convention, detail
ing the circumstances of the Michigan
| convention as shame and disgrace
to American public life" After fur
| ther denunciation of the influences
brought 10 bear on conventions, Mr..
Vest saosed with startling declara-
ton as to his own position. 81 am a
delegate to the National convention, -
said he, "an unwilling one, and / serve
notice now that if that convention at
Chicago is to be made up of office hold
ers, to stifie and prevent the viii of the
people, then it Is no Democratic con-
vention to me. The Democratic party
is the party of honorable expression,
not of Federal patronage"
Mr.. Hill then took the floor and
closed his speech in opposition to the
bond resolution, and the vote was
taken. The rest of the day was given to
the River and Har'bor bill, considerable
progress being made.
ALL LEGISLATION BLOCKED,