The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-28

The factional fight I'm the ranks OF the
hitherto united Massachusetts Democ-
tacy can be traced back to the Chicago
convention last July. when in the strug-
gle between gold and silver George Fred
Williams and a few others boldly left
the majority OF the Massachusetts dele
CATION and voted for the free und un-
limited coinage of silver. On the return
FROM Chicago, the silver element OF tho
delegatio I'D ratification meeting In
Faneull hail and endorsed the national
candidates and the platform adopted by
that convention.
But the majority of the delegation took
no active part In the affair, and let mat
ters take their course. This inaction
reused the energies of the silver leader,
and he openly claimed that the leaders
In the Democratic state committee were
willfully trying TO throw cold water on
the silver movement by their delin-
quency in taking action on either side.
Since that time the rift In the lutte" has
gradually become wider and wider, until
that portion who were in favor of the
position taken by MIR. Williams has
openly accused the hitherto trusted
leaders with being traitors to the ma
tional platform and nominees The fol-
lowers of the old d-time leaders resented
the snputation put upon their trusted
friends, and claimed that they were loyal
TO the Chicago nominees and platform.
and loyal to Williams himself. but re-
sented what they termed his dictator
ship"
The climax was reached Friday even
ing. when, in the big Bryan rally in
Music hall, Mr.. Williams accused the
leaders with wanting To control the state
convention, and requested all those who
were in favor of his nomination to stay
all night in their seats. so that no move
might be made which would deprive
them of fulfilling the program which
had been marked out by the silver lead
ers. This 500 of his followers obeyed to
the letter and throughout the long night
the vigil was kept. Every kind OF in
genuity was tried to make the men
vacate the hall. The police were called
upon to clear the hall, hut the clever
heads of the young lawyers in the silver
element made that move unsuccessful,
and, as a result, the doors were locked
and kept 80 until $3.50 Saturday after
noon. Bright and early Saturday thou
sands of men, scores OF whom were dele
gates from out OF town, assembled
around Music hall, expecting the doors
to be opened at any moment, that COM
promise might ensue. overtures were
made by the members of the state CEN
trail committee, but were rejected by the
men i'm possession OF the hall, who were
fearful OF treaohery.
The men on the outside then organized
I'm Hamilton place. In response TO the
suggestion of Timothy w. Coakley, the
locked in leader OF the silver men, and
whatever buslress was transacted In the
hall was endorsed. by the outside meet
ing.
The state committee then went 10
Faneuil hail, where a convention was
held. and the national candidates and
the Chicago platform were endorsed. and
George +. Williams was dominated for
gubernatorial honQrs. This action was
protested b. number of Cold STANDARD
Democrats who withdrew In a boay
and placed a ticket favorable TO Palmer
and Buckner in the field, on nomination
papers.
In Wesleyan hall the state convention
OF the Populist party was held. ana i'm.
mediately they heard that Williams hao
been nominated az the free silver candl.
date for governor, They Immediately fol.
lowed suit. and placed him at the heae
of their ticket.
The men who held their places n
Music hall were called 10 order by Tim.
othy w. Coakley, and after the cali hac
been read. James II. Melleaof Worcester
was made temporary chairman. Fol.
lowing Is an outline Of the platform
adopted:
The Democracy OF Massachusetts,. n
convention i.ss, i4.bled, plcQsrs its loyalty
ond earnest support To William J. Bryan
and Arthur Sewali, ard endorses th,
platform adopted at Chicago.
How TO regain permanent prosperity
for enterprise an industry is the su.
preme issue. To this end we demand the
sastoration Of silver to its full none;