The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-08

CHICAGO, July s-The second day Of
the convention opened sbright and cool,
with the continuance of that refreshing
breeze which has made the work by day
endurable and has given delegates a
chance to sleep with comfort under blan-
kets during the scant hours allotted to
rest. 1t has been ideal weather since the
advance guard arrived last week, and
the weather predictions give no indica-
tions of change. The crowd down town
and about this convention hall showed no
diminution, but there was less OF furore
and demonstration than there had been.
The personal element surrounding can
didates bad given place to tnat tense
leeling over the issue between the gold
and silver forces as ii neared its culmin-
ating point. Moreover. there appeared to
be the lack Of that personal magnetism
among candidates which inspires conven-
tion crowds to genuine enthusiasm. The
shouters seemed to rest content with the
showing already made, and are allowing
the workers TO settle down to serious
business.
The crowds were moving toward the
Coliseum early in the day, as the time OF
meeting was 10 O'Clock, and the expert
ence OF yesterday warned people that time
and patience were required I'm gaining
admission. Sergeant at arms Martin
promised an Improvement on yesterdays
arrangements. he has beon the most
abused man in Chicago since the wild
rush at the opening, and reports were
current that he would be superseded
when the permanent organization was
perfected. There was the prospect, also,
of a..coup d'main by the silver forces in
throwing open the convention doors to
the public. This was seriously discussed
at the meeting of the committee OH rules
last night, when IL was pointed out that
hundreds OF seats in the rear of the main
floor and the galleries were unoccupied
yesterday, although the silver leaders had
striven vainly to secure quote of tickets
commensurate with their strength in the
convention.
The committee appointed committee
to confer with Chairman Harrity early
today and the threat was made that II a
liberal distribution of tickets did not
follow the doors of the convention hall
would be thrown open to the Democ-
racy.
The day promised TO be one TO bring
the crisis on the floor OF the convention
which all have so long ANTICIPATED. All
of the events of last night and extending
far into the early hours today marked the
approach of the eliminating point. Ac-
cording to the program that was adopted
by the rules committee after the intro
duction OF the permanent presiding
officer, Stephen M. White of California,
the first business would be the report of
the credentials committee, embracing the
bitter contest over Michigan; then the
report of the platform, next the speeches
placing candidates in nomination and
finally the baloting. The choice of Sem
ator White gave universal satisfaction,
even the gold men conceoIng his illness
as a presiding officer. lie has a voice of
that vibrant timber wbicE carries without
the slightest effort. He is not demonsra-
tive or oratorical, but his diction is
choice and he has a command of parla-
meGtary procedure which gives lucidity
10 his decisions. He is in the vigor OF
middle life, with robust physique
which adds force to his other attain
ments. The report on the Michigan
case was To bc the signal for opening the
conflict today. Two reports were ready.
That from the majority seated eight OF
the silver contestants, thereby giving a
total OF twenty silver men out OF the %
in the Michigan delegation, and under
the unit rule swinging the entire 2S into
the silver column.
The minority report favored the reten-
ton OF the eight gold delegates who had
thus far held the balance OF power under
the unit rule in keeping tho 2S votes of
Michigan in the gold column. The is
sue on the two reports involved in
tense personal feeling In which charges
wcro made that federal Offices had been