The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-08-06
ESPECIAL, TO THE PREss.1


ESPECIAL TO THE PaEssI
Wateryille, August 5-The free silver
cohorts were slow in gathering here to-
night for the Democratic convention to-
morrow. Mayor Hanson and his Waldo
county oentingent failed to put in an
appearances on the afternoon train. New
ertheless there was goodly gathering of
the faith full here in preparation for the
second edition of the state convention to-
morrow. 1t was essentially free silver
crowd. There were Capt. Charles Fl.
Chase and Spencer Rogers of Portland,
both firm In the faith of the boy orator
of the Platte. From Bath came Chair
man Hughes of the state committee and
E. B. Torrey. and Fred Emery Bean Of
Hallowell, the secretary of the state
committee was very much in evidence.
The gold men were conspicuous chiefly
by their absence. Hon. VIM. Fl. Clifford,
Hon. Tristram Goldthwaite and others,
saw no reason why they should mingle
with this ante convention crowd Of free
silver shouters, but they will be here to-
morrow and they will unite in making a
vigorous protest against the free COIN
age: propaganda. There will be ringing
speeches for gold and the convention
bids fair to outdo the recent gathering at
Alfred in the vehement of the utteranoes
Of the speakers. While the silver men
were gathering here. the gold men were
n cnufareu n "a at Rrupaufck daoidiuo upop
their course in reference to the Indianap-
oils convention. Having gotten this mat
ter settled they are expected here tomor-
row to oppose any declaration endors-
ing the Chicago platform and its nomi-
nees.
Hon. n. P. Frank of Portland put in
an appearance on the evening train. Mr..
Frank was as self-possessed and as smil-
ing as usual. TO the PRESS correspon-
dent. hs said that he was simply pas
senger and had no knowledge as to what
the convention tomorrow would do.
Mr.. Fred Plaistsd who had come over
from Augusta, was decidedlysof the opin.
ion that the name of his father, Gen.
Harris N. Plaistcd, would not be present.
ed to the convention.
The convention, it is understood to-
night, will have to select new presiding
officer, as Hon. Charles &. Johnson, who
presided at Portland is suffering with an
attack Of soiatica. Sciatioa is painful
ailment, but it ia hinteo that even so dis.
agreeable an affection has it's compensa-
tions in che case of Mr.. johnson, who did
not look forward with feelings of unal
loyed pleasure to presiding yer the per-
formances of tomorrow's gathering.
Hon. L. NJ. Staples OF Washington is
here. Mr.. Staples is Hanson man and
an ardent one. He said tonight that he
should present MIR. Hanson's name to
the convention tomorrow. MIR. Staples
of course, is confident of the nomination
of Bslfast's free silver mayor
The idea tonight seems to be that the
convention will endorse the Chicago
nominees, but whether it will go farther
and make any declaration regarding the
platform of the Chicago convention is an
open question.
One plan Is to adopt the Kennebec
county resolutions which swallow both
the Chicago candidates and the platform.
The illness of Mr. johnson gave the few
mem bers of the state committee present
lots of troubl In the midst OF the
drizzle Chairman Hughes and Secretary
Bean started out to visit Mr.. johnson
and urge him to act. 1t is understood
that they succeeded in securing from
him a statement that he would not final
ly make up his mind until he had found
cut how he felt in the morning. Mr..
Hunnewell of PittsfeId, member of the
was quite confident that Mr.
johnson would serve.
In the event of new chairman being
necessary. Hon. S. Brown, who is again
in the Democratic fold, and ex-Mayor
Jones of Waterville, are talked of.
Candidate Hanson has been reported
from various places. One rumor was to
the effect that he was driving In from
the country, in which event he is very
likely stuck in the mire. Another re-
port Is that he is In Bangor, marshalling
the forces with which he will invade
the town In the morning. A free silver
convention without Hanson would he
like Hamlet without Hamlet or like
circus without a clown.
Opinion here Is that MIR. Frank will
have a walkover. with Plaisted out of
it, Col. Stone forgotten, for he has hard
ly been mentioned here, and Mr.. Hanson
lost, the man from Portland seems to
have clear field, but Hanson may yet
get along and change all that.
Oldtown Repuhli icans Nom inafa