The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-07-24
WILL ENDORSE BRYAN
It Now Seems Certain That the Silver
Party Will Declare for Him.
MRS. HELEN sousAR CAUSES CONFUSION
BY Creating Exciting Debate on msr
ProPesftion for a Combination Of
the Forces Upon Subjects OF Pro.
hibision, Lnad Reform and Direct
LcgislatiOn-1tF Fails 10 Passs

st. Louis, July 2s.-The National Sill
yer Convention was called to order at
lQ:H by Chairman st. John.
Mr.. Gewlands, OF Nevada, stated that
he understood the expenses of the con-
vention had not been provided for and
moved that committee on ways and
means be appointed to provide the nee
essary funds. Agreed to.
Chairman st. John then introduced to
the convention Its vice chairman, Hon.
was received with great applause. He
said that the condition of the country
was most grave. 1t had been brought
ABOUT, he charged, in pursuance 10 n
pan which had for its purpose to make
It appear as the result of an orderly and
lawful evolution.
He stated that patriotism had been
almost forgotten; glory had been mar
rowed to success; money has become a
600. (Applause) But the day of re-
generation is at hand (Cheers) We
are In the very vortex Of events; we are
making American history to-day; the
american people are serving notice that
they are about to take charge of their
own own affairs. Great cheering.) Mr..
Iowne's allusioh to the grand old man
or Colorado set the convention OH its
legs I'm u tumult of applause A vast
majority of the Democratic convention
at Chicago. he said, was in favor of free
silver. Fortunate Democracy he said
to be an heir of this regeneration!
Mr.. Towne paid glowing tribute to
the worth, character and abilities of
MIR. Bryan, saying that his nomina-
tion demonstrated the truth of the
dence there are no accidents. bryan
represents an idea; he stands for a
cause.-the cause of humanity against
in1ustice-the cause of the masses
against the classes" (Applause.)
No rest in the campaign was to be
known by the cohorts of silver. Mr..
Towne said. until the bssaners OF victory
had been planted upon every outpost OF
the enemy.
He who three months ago had pre-
dlcted that victory for free silver was
possible in 1896. would have been set
down for an enthusiastic dreamer. now
II was not only possible. but absolutely
certain. Mr.. Towne pleaded with the
convention to make no mistake and
closed with an eloquent peroration
Calls were made for Governor Stone
of Missouri, and w. II. (Coin) Harvey
but neither was in the hall. EX-Gov-
ernor j. p. ST. John, of Kansas. respond
ed to the demands for IL speech and
greatly entertained the delegates. He
said no such political revolution had
even been known in America as that
which followed the adoption of the plat
form by the Republican Convention.
The victory was already won. he assur-
ed his hearers. There were but two
dangers to be feared. confidence
and the use of Doodle by the gold power.
Mrs. Helen M. Cougar. of Indiana ad-
dressed the convention, stating in open
ing she hoped that this was not the
first time the gentlemen present had
been talked to by a woman on the sub
iect of finance Uaughter)
Mrs. Cougar told story to illustrate
the money question from a woman's
standpoint. and charged that breweries
and distileries, nine-tenths of which
In this country were owned by British
capital, were doing more than all else
combined TO degrade American citizen
ship, homes and industries. She charged
that never since the days of BelshaZ-
zar's feast had their been more drunk
enness known than was displayed in ST.
Louis the night before the Republican
convention adopted its platform last
month. In closing Mrs. Gouger called
on the band to strike up America, asked
the audience 10 join in singing that
grand old hymn. There were but few i'm
the hall, however, who could sing more
than the first verse.
Vice-Chairman Towne took the chair
at this point. Chairman ST. John tenn
Dorarily retiring.
A delegate from Illinois moved that
at the next session of the convention the
delegations be polled to show what nro-
Republicans, the purpose being. he said.
to emphasize to the country the extent
of the revolt in that party against the
Infamous gold standard The motion
was agreed to with great unanimity.
Mr.. Towpe announced that Mrs Mary
p. Lease. 1.-The tribuness of the people"
would address the convention this even
ing; also that the subcommittee on
Resolutions had notified him that they
were not yet ready to report and that
a meeting Of the full committee would
he held one hour after taking recess.
The following resolution was proposed
by Judge Hillyer. of Washington, b. c.. :.
Resolved. That in the present situa-
tion. the organization, logically in the
coming compaign, must be the support
OF independent free silver Republicans.
and that the efforts of the National
Convention should be chiefly directed to
combining and augmenting this Repub-
lican element as an independent force.
cooperating with others for the cleo
tion Of the candidates which this con-
Vention shall name for President and
Vice-President and a free silver Con-
gress.
This was proposed for the considera
tion OF the delegates during recess
At the request of the Wisconsin dele
cation. r. D. Cole was given a few
minutes in which to address the con-
vention to protest against Mrs. Cougars
plea and proposition for a combination
of forces upon the subject OF Prohibit
tion. land reform and direct legislation.
The Silver party, Mr.. Cole said was
not an annex either to the Prohibi-
tionists or national party. He said Il he
Eept still he should be recreant to the