The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-02

everywhere to be in accord with their own
on the financial question. In that event
they would not insist on naming the indi-
vidual, as they were Indifferent on that
score They were only concerned that the
convention should be recognized from the
beginning as silver convention and they
felt confident that many would draw their
conclusions to the character of the con-
vention from the standing of the tempor-
ary presiding officer in the silver ranks.
Mr. HarTity and his associates listened
patientlN TO all this, but gave no sign OF
any inclination to yield to the request nor
indeed, any as to what course they would
pursue, further than that outlined in Mr..
Harrity's preliminary statement. All the
pressed desire to preserve the utmost har-
mony in the convention and among indi-
vfduals. In this expression they were heart
tai reservation, but the rule of the major
ity should be made manifest. Nothing was
said on either side to indicate prefer
ence as TO individuals for the chairman
ship.
Chairman Harrity's exact position was
that the full national committee would
have TO pass on the temporary chairman
ship and that he had no means of know
ing how the members of the committee
would regard the subject. He ventured
the opinion tht they would be controlled
by their convictions and their Judgment
If controlled by conviction alone they
would probably select a man holding the
dividually hold, whereas: il they consulted
their judgment, they might select a man
whose views would be iD harmony with
the sentiment of the majority of the con-
vention. He did not. he said, suppose that
the executive committee would feel called
on to make a recommendation. If not.
there would be no use for the silver COM
mittee to see the executive committee
again and they could call on the national
committee Monday. If the executive COM
mittee should, however, decide to act the
silver men would be notified. and they
would be heard again by the executive
committee.
NOT SATISFACTORY.
The silver delegates are far from satis-
fed with the result of the conference of
their committee with Chairman Harrity
and the members of the executive commit
tee of the national Democratic committee.
They had not counted much on securing
positive acquiscence in their demand to be
allowed to practically secure the tempor-
airy chairman of the convention, but they
had hoped to seciire more definite idea
of the programme of the national commit
tee than they succeeded In obtaining. The
result of the conference was almost nil
and the silver men left the committee room
feeling that their labor had been practical
ly in vain. They were also displeased with
the postponement OF the matter until so
late a date as next Monday. In the alb
sence of any definite assurance from Mr.
Harrity they are inclined to the opinion
that there is disposition, If not
determination, on Inc part OF the ndtlOnal
committee 10 select an anti-silver man for
chairman and TO postpone the announce
ment of the selection until the very eve
of the convention. This they regard o 8
trifiing with them TO degree. They are,
therefore, disposed TO proceed with their
plans pretty much as If Mr.. Harrity had
assured them that the committee would
name a gold chairman, so as TO be pre-
pared for the emergency, if this should
prove TO be the plan of the committee.
This plan would be. as heretofore outlined
TO have silver man agreed on in advance
by the silver forces and to elect him in
open convention over the. choice of the
committee. Chairman Harrity insists that
he acted in perfect good faith with the
silver committee and that. being only one
member of the national committee, he
could not give any further assurance than
he did give.
The silver people also feel that the as
surance in regard TO contests was very in
definite and they find that il will be nee
essary for them to continue their precau-
tions in this respect. They are quite de-
termined that the silver majority shall be
tains to the majority. The distribution of,
tickets which has been arranged for is not
altogether to their satisfaction. but they do
not see their way clear as yet to alter the
situation in this respect. 1t appears that
several States. wsich will be represented
advocates of the gold standard on the ma
tional committee Each national commit
teeman'will receive fifty tickets This ar
rangement will, 1t is claimed, give the gold
tion from those States. The distribution is
however, in accordance with precedents
and there will probably be no effort to dis
turb il.
On the whole the conference confirms
the silver people in the belief that their
early meeting and provision for cooper
alton is wise and that it is necessary TO
continue their precautions in the interest
of the majority. There has been consider
able discussion to-day of the availability
of Governor Altgeld as temporary chair
man, but IL is intimated that. believing he
can be of more service on the floor than
in the chair. he will not be candidate
The question of the selection of a man for
this place is, however still opcn