, 1896-04-16
IN THE POLITICAL SWIM
Missouri Democrats Have an
Unusually Hot Convention.
FOR SILVER.
silver Dick Dland IL Their Choice
for the Presidential Rsee-Thc
Colorado Democrals and
Tll1nan.

Tlllman.
Sedalia. Mo-, April 15.-Delegates t.
the democratic state convention to
nominate "a delegates to Chicago, were
astir early this morning. 1t is the larg-
est state party convention ever held In
Missouri. The last of 535 delegates az
rived this morning and added to the
general enthusiasm prevalent. Before
the convention assembled the different
congressional district delegates met In
caucus and selected two delegates and
two alternates each to the national
convention. These were later passed
upon by the convention, and as fully 95
per cent of all the delegates sent to the
state convention vert instructed for
free silver at 16 to l." practically no
was made to the caucus se,
lection. Believers In Congressman
Richard Bland for q presidential candi-
date were quietly pushing the boom for
their candidate. and the two contend
ing factions from Kansas City, about
all of whom are for free silver, but d.
vided for and against Governor Stone,
were working earnestly for some amic>
able settlement of their muddle.
The convention was called to order
in Woods opera house al room by
Charles c. Mofitt, chairman Of -
democratic state committee. Fully
5000 delegates and visitors were pres
ent and the greatest enthusiasm pre-,
vailed.
Chairman Mofitt raped the eonven-
ton to order al 1890. Congressman
William H. Hatch was announced az
temporary chairman, and JEFF Pollard
of St. Louis as temporary secretary.
When Mr.. Hatch stepped forward to
make his speech he raj given an ova,
ton. He made a spicy address and
throughout its delivery was cheered
long and loud. The mention OF Mr.
BANDS name as one of the most faith,
full Of democrats, brought forth a flood
OF applause and cheers. He begged the
leaders to stand by the doctrine of thx
democracy az laid down by its found.
ers. and proposed that the Chicago con
vention would follow the lead taken by
the Pertle Springs convention. ant
adopt an uneQuivocal silver platform
Whoever the nominee Of the Chicago
convention for president might be, he
said. II his platform be that of true de.
nocracy, there would not be a third
Larty candidate.
Mayor Hastings OF sedalia then vel.
coined the delegates to the city.
During the progress of temporary or.
%ganiEation the two Kansas City dele.
cations which up to this time had mol
been admitted to the hall, were allowed
to enter and take seats. The call OF
committees by congressional districts
to name their selection for delegates
and altsrnates was then proceeded
with.
A protracted fight over the recognl-
tton of the st. Louis delegates as mem
bers Of the resolution committee en-
sued. Judge Gibson. the Kansas City
subernAtordal candidate, and a member
of the Stone delegation, got the floor
aud made a speech In favor of silver,
and the white metal adherant was
drowned with cheers and bowls for
the gold men. Prospects Of an endless
wranxls soon became apparent. and at
2 o'clock speeches on the question at
point were limited TO i've minutes.
Somewhat Of = sensation was caused
shortly thersafter when State Chair
man Momtt leaned over the platform to
speak TO SOMEONE In the audience.
Delegate Nicholas Bell of st. Louis
dashed the dregs Of Z glass Of water he
was drinking into Months face. Ed
ward Butler Of St. Louis was Kissed
wten he spoke for recognition Of his
fellow gold deaegAte and declared that
the failure to recognise him wouh
mean the loss Of 5000 votss to the de-
mocracy Of Missouri.
Speeches on each side continued I'M
I'll 3:4s O'Clock when the question was
put to vote. The st. Louis gold dele
satss wers finally recognized, and re-
go taken till I .. N. to appoint COM