The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-18
TEE PLATFORM READ.
The Protection Plank Received With
Cheers-Sound Money Plank
Arouscs the Silveritcs.


The audience and delegates followed the
reading with the keenest interest.
Reference TO the administration OF Har-
rison evoked the first demonstration but,
louder gtill came the roar when words OF
the platform were read pledging the party
again TO the doctrine of protection in the
interest OF American labor and American
industry. The reference to the restoration
of the policy of reciprocity as the twin
brother of protection also came in for
round of applause.
Protection to the sugar industry aroused
the Louisiana delegation to cheers and
the merchant marine plank brought the
Maine. Maryland and Massachusetts dele
cations to their feet with cheers.
The first sentence OF the money plank
pledging the party to ''sound money" {"
started great uproar among the delega-
ties on the floor, but the galleries did
not participate until unal.erable opposi-
tion to the free coinage of silver was
read.
Then the delegates, led by Senator
Teller and Colonel w. A. Stone Of Penn
sylvania, rose Ell masse. Fans. canes,
hats waved wildly sntil the pit looked
like hurrican tossed sea, and the gall
lerjes roared their approval. For two
inmates the tuIlult continued.
The mention of the gold standard.
which was received enthusiastically by
the Maine, Massachusetts,. ConnecticrA
and New York delegations, did not arouse
such great enthusiasm otherwise.
Hawaii and the Monroe doctrine were
applauded, but the enthusiasm over the
Cuban plank was general disappoint-
ment. A very interesting incident oc-
CURED. however, in this connection. As
the plank was read, Colonel Fred Grant,
who sat on the platform, with the dis
tinguished guests, arose and wildly waved
about his head the flag OF the Cuban revo-
lut tionists.
The flag was that presented by the
Cuban junta to James Creolman, the
American correspondent, who was exiled
by General Weyler. There was sonnet hing
particularly appropriate in Colonel
Grants action, as it was largely owing to
the efforts OF his father, General Grant.
that Spain was compelled to make peace
with the revolutionists in the 10 years
war.
The invitation to the women OF the
country to help the Republican party re-
deem it from Democracy and Populism
was given n good natured cheer, and the
motion which Senator Foraker made to
adopt the D atform was also cheered.
One OF the crucial momen Is Of the con-
vention was at hand. The chairman an
nounced that he would recognize to move
n substitution tor the majority report,
the gentleman from Colorado, Mr.. ] eler.
III llttle sCplltIiHE equhus tne ndnOIuib
OF delegates who had been sitting unuer
the banners of Colorado, of Idaho, OF
Utah, of Nevada, California and Montana
and some of those from Tennessee and
ot her western and southern states were
on their feet waving hats, flags, umbrel-
las, fans and handkerchiefs and shrek ing
like msdmen. The ire spread TO tho gal
leries and swept across the hall until the
convention seemed to be almost upani-
mousIy carrying the cheer. It was an up-
usual division OF enthusiasm. Down in
the arena were little patches Of vocal fire
blazing in smal! spots here and there
from a broad, dead level, calm field of
silence. For two or three minutes the
uproar continued. Minutes are long at
such crisises, each second beat slowly, so
that the out burst seemed TO be n pro-
tracted one. Finally the Western dele
gates, secessionists they perhaps might
soon he called, tired OF their work and
sank back to their seats.