The San Francisco call., 1896-04-16
SIXTEEN TO ONE.
Missouri Democrats Want Free SiEUer
and BIdnd for President.

ana BiGa0 IOf PTeS1deHt.
SEDALIA, Mo-, April 15.-Free silver
16 to 1. This tells the whole story of the
Democratic State Convention The ring
OF the white metal is the music to which
the Democrats of Missouri must march
this fall-free silver and ''Silver Dick"
Bland for President.
Never before was convention better or
ganized previous to being called to order,
never before was convention more of one
mind and never before did convention
follow more absolutely the lines marked
out for it by the managers.
Governor William ]. Stone proposed the
Endorsement of Richard Park Bland for
the Demo cratic nomination for President
and the convention indorsed him by ac-
clamation. The delegates did no know
until the last moment this would be done,
as Mr.. Bland has repeatedly said that he
would not allow it. but when they saw
that it was in the cards they acquiesced
with cheer.
There was no wild scene such as some
times marks such conventions, but never
theless, a strong sound of applause.
Everything went as every one knew it
would go. A handful of sound-money men
caused little ripple in the silvery stream
by announcing their position, but that
was all. The resolutions were adopted as
they came from the committee on resolu-
tions, and they are strong enough to satisfy
the most enthusiastic silver man who ever
shouted for 16 to l.
Fifteen hundred persons were crowded
into Woods Opera-house, with seating
capacity Of 800, when the Democratic State
Convention to elect delegates to the Ma
tional Convention at Chicago was called to
order by Chairman Matfitt at II :35 o'clock.
Hon. William NJ. Hatch was named as
Temporary chairman ana made a speech
in the interest OF free silver. His ref
erences to the services of ex-Congressman
Bland were received with tumultuous
cheers. The first business of the conven-
tion was the calling of delegates by Con-
gressional districts. The call showed that
the only "sound money" delegates were
from st. Louis and the convention began
an animated discussion as to whether
their credentials should be recognized
After the appointment of the usual COM
mittees the convention took a recess till
2:30 P. NJ.
While the committee on resolutions was
being appointed one of the most sensa-
tional scenes ever witnessed on a public
platform was enacted.
OF the fifteen members of the committee
Isaac H. Lion berger of st. Louis was found
to be goldbug. On motion that the
committee be ratified by investigation,
Delegates Lionberger, Dewey and Frost
pleaded for the formers recognition. Dele
gate Dewey read long instrument in be-
half of Lionberger. He warned the con-
vention that they could not afford to
trample on the minority. He warned
them that they could not afford to lose
many more Democratic votes.
A storm of Kisses followed this implied
threat. Catcalls echoed and re-echoed
all over the house. During this scene a
dozen men were on their feet. Colonel
Nicholas NJ. Bell was among them. He
demanded to be allowed to be heard.
Chairman Maffitt, who was sitting on the
stage during Bells efforts to be heard,
yelled, 'Sit down!'
"Oh, you keep COOL" Bell shouted back.
Maffitt shook his fist at the silver leader
and said, ''You turncoat, you"
In an impassioned speech Colonel Bell
explained the manner in which the free
silver delegations were elected in st. Louis.
From his view of the case Delegate Lion
berger had no right on the committee.
Just after Mr.. Bell finished speaking he
stepped up among the press tables to get a
glass of water. Maffitt walked over to the
edge OF the platform and, leaning over,
said something to him. Bell had the glass
in his hand, full of water. He let it 1y in
Maffitt's lace. The latter said nothing,
but wiped his face with his handkerchief
and moved back. Some of the water hit
Chairman Hatch and Secretary Pollard
and wet the records. After this scene Bell
left the hall.
The convention reassem bled at 4 :15 p NJ
number of resolutions of instruction to
the platform committee were offered, but
the chair ruled that they could not be Of
fered regularly until permanent organ
lzatlon was effected.
Short addresses were made by "silver-
tongued' orators, when Governor Stone
came forward with set of typewriter
resolutions indorsing Richard P. Bland
for President. The Governor was received
with tumultuous roars He said the
resolutions set forth Mr.. BANDS SER
vices TO the cause of free silver, the belief
that this will be the leading issue in the
National campaign, and the personal
qualities of Bland, which it is supposed fit
him for the Presidency. Governor Stone
said that as personal friend of Bland he
took pride in Offering the resolutions. He
hoped and believed free-silver delegates
would organize the Chicago convention
and nominate Bland, ''the foremost free
silver advocate in America, for President" ="
A rising vote was taken and every one
rose except Graham Frost of St. Louis and
one or two others. The applause which
greeted Bland's nomination was much