The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-07-09

After having waited for nearly an hour,
Mt 1855 the chair raped the convention
TO order and after several routine an
nouncements had been made. calls for
the various committee reports brought
forth no response. The chairman asked
if the committee on credentials was
ready to report and was informed that it
was not.
1t was shortly after II o'clock that Il
slight rifle was had in the proceeding
of waiting by the appearance in the nall
of BANDS marching club, which came i'll
in a very dramatic manner and midst
much loud and hearty cheering.
by this time the various delegations
were getting exceedingly nervous, and
kept humping the floor in expression of
their desire to do something or have
somebody do something. Some one sug-
gcsted the name Of james s. Hogg of
Texas as a good man to kill time by talk
ing. Almost instantly the crowd took
the suggestion up and vigorous and
hearty call was made for "IIogg." That
gentleman readily responded to the call
of his cOuntrymen, and, Fastening to the
front. delivered Il speech that took
nightly with the crowd. AS he
mounted the platform the band struck up
"DiXie" and the crowd yelled most
Justify while the big ex-governor of
Texas was getting ready for his speech.
The speaker introduced his remarks by
a friendly feeling between all
factions in the convention and the party
at large. saying that if the Democrats
would stand together in this matter they
would fight most successful fight ut
the polls next November. He laid
special stress on RcpublcaniSm and as
sured his hearers that the people would
never tolerate the return of the Republi-
cans to the government head. While
eXcoriating the Republican platform
adopted at st. Louis as being glitter
ing mass of generalities unworthy of
any mans or set of mems consideration
or thought. He also took another side
swipe mt the Republicans by saying that
their protection views were only i'm the
interest of the wealthy and directly an
tagOnistic to the interest of the fariner
and the laboring man who lives by the
sweat of his brow.
The speaker here made the rather sen
SatiOnal charge that Republican corrllp-
ton fund was being made up for the
purpose of carrying Illinois, Ohio and
other eastern and southern states in thu
November election.
Touching OH the financial issues con-
fronting the convention, the speaker
made a most forcible argument in favor
of silver, saying it was the money of all
moneys, and should be the standard of
this country. That the Republican pla.
form, in its utterances on this subject
had declared for gold and against silver,
the money of the people, and was in reali-
ty drafted only in the interest of foreign
nations. That the money plank of the
convention adopted at Mime
lpolis in 1892 declared for bimetallism.
which, according to the speakers defini-
ton, meant gold and silver if it meant
anything at all. And that now at st.
Louis the party had Topped and gone over
to the other side.
He concluded his speech, which was
rather lengthy, by asking his hearers to
smooth over all differences and sleep in
harmony within the old home fireside, and
have no more dissention in party ranks.
but combine forces and work for the good
of all
Upon the suggestion of Col. Money of
Senator Blackburn of Ken
lucky was invited to address the cOnven-
ton while it was awaiting the arrival of
the committees that were still out. Black
burn, complying to the request, came to
the stand and informed his hearers that
they must act promptly and decisively in
this matter, and adopt Il good platform
and get good men on it. That the peO-
pie of all sections of the country were
busily engaged in watching the cOnven-
ton and looking to it for relief He stated
further that the financial plank of the
platform must be so wOrded that it will
declare unequivOcally for unlimited free
coinage of gold and silver without dis
And that the platform
should show clearly that the Democratic
party is not in favor of pcrpetuating a
national debt or national banking inter-
nSts.
Upon the conclusion of Blackburns
speech loud cries were had for Altgeld
and Hill. but neither RESPONDED. Hill not
being in, the hall. Oyermeycr of Kansas
rnptIred the floor Mt this point and made
n speccb After he concluded loud calls
were again made for Altgeld, but he did
not mt in an appearance, and as the Gre
1entiols committee was still out the band
struck nm some lively music to keep the
crowd in n good humor. Calls for Aitgeld
were again renewed. and he came to the
nlotform and addressed the convention
briefly advocating bimetollism. and re-
ferrpd to the gold men as those who
wanted to mt holters on tbe American
neonle in favor of the English money
lenders. He asked his hearers if they
intended TO hermit this. and very emphat-
ic VOLS of "no " .no." were hoard on all
Tnon the conclusion or his address
that Gentleman to the front The com
mittee was not VET ready to report, and
Williams of Massachusetts addressed the