The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-27
FREE COINAGE FALLS FLAT.
THE STATE CONVENTION DEVOID
OF ENTHUSIASM.

Less Than Twenty Members OF the
Next Legislature Present - The
Candidates f0r Offices in the Leg
isIature's Gift Three Times ~ Nu-
merouS as thc Legislative Nomi-
nees-A scheme 10 Hold the Dele
gates in Town Another Day Falls
Through.
Atlanta, Ga, June s5.-Gov. Atkinson
and all the state house officers have re-
turned ffom the Macon convention. Con-
gresham Crisp is also here. and in the
wake OF the leaders many delegates and
candidates have been coming and going
during the day
Il turns out that the convention was a
water-haul for the candidates. whose mer-
its are to be passed on by the next legis-
lature. All told. there were less than a
score Of men present who viii have q
vote in the assembly. The candidates out
numbered the legislative nominees three
TO one, whereas they expected that the
state convention would draw at least a
quorum Of the next legislature, and thus
furnish fine grazing for them.
In looking back over the proceedings Of
the convention, even the most earnest free
silver men themselves agree that II was
q very tame affair, considering the fact
that the silver men refer to the spead of
that heresy as a great revolution among
the people. In such an uprising it would
naturally be expected that when the vic
tory was won there would be boat loa6s
of enthusiasm and that it would take no
end Of flags and fireworks to fittingly ex-
press their exultation. But. as a matter
OF fact there was none of this. There
was no cheering of the platform to speak
Of and Mr.. Crisp himself. when he APP
peared in the hail. failed to arouse even
q handicap, although he is to be the
standard bearer Of the silver men of the
state and may even be pressed for place
on the national ticket.
The managers explain this lack OF en-
thusiasm and the lack aof convention
scenes by saying it was because every
thing had been fixed before hand. and
there was nothing of that uncertainty
which always produces a hurrah. But
there was a deeper reason than this. As
expressed by one Of the most prominent
men in the state, who was one of those
who passed through Atlanta to-day on
his way home, il was because the politi-
clans who have been swept into prOmi-
hence by the silver wave are not really
sincere in their advocacy of 1t. They sim
ply took advantage of the prevalence of
this sentiment among the masses to fur
Their their personal political ambition, but
did not have the heart TO rejoice gen
timely.
Although the people Of Macon gave the
convention a most hospitable reception
and gave the delegates personally a great
deal more attention than they would re-
ceive in Atlanta, as a convention city
Macon was not success, and it is not
likely that another state convention will
be held there soon. The convention was
cramped for accommodations in spite of
the efforts of the citizens and the com pitt
tees, and the business had not yet been
finished before the convention was max
ing break for the trains.
In this connection a rather amusing
story Is told of the plans that the commits
tee Of arrangements had made to hold tbn
convention over until to-day, or at least
keep the delegates in town another night
A brass band had been employed and was
stationed on the stage with instructions
to play a long tune every time anybody
made speech, TO play long ana 10 LAY
often. This was expected to string out the
session until after the outgoing trains had
left and the crowds would be obliged to
stay Chairman Clay, however, caught on
to the arrangement very early in the play
He saw that il the band was allowed to
have its way, it would be night before the
work would be half finished. so he put an
official quietus on 1t. When the committee
saw that the band had abandoned the field
under the orders of the chairman there
was deep disgust among them and the mu-
slc,ans, II is said, were threatened with
everything but the payment of their mon
ey unless they carried out the programme
chairman Steve Clay had caused them to
lose their nerve, however, and rushed
things through in creased lightning style
so that nearly everybody got out Of town
last night.