The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-16
STORMY SCENES AT SEDALIA.
a GLASS OF WATER THROWN IN
THE CHAIRMAN'S FACE.

troll of the Convention.
Sedalia, No.. April 15-It was 12:35
O'Clock this afternoon when Chairman
Maffett's gavel called the democratic
state convention to order.
Hon. William NJ. Hatch was named as
temporary chairman and made a speech
in the interest of free silver. His refer
ence to the services OF ex-Congressman
Bland was received with tumultuous
cheers.
The first business of the convention was
the calling of delegates by congressional
districts. The call showed that the only
Sound money" delegates are from St.
Louis, and the convention began an ami
mated discussion as to whether their ere
dentials should be recognized. The con-
tested delegations were referred to the
committee on credentials.
After the appointment of the usual COM
mittees the convention took a recess un-
til 2:3O O'Clock.
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, only one
Isaac Lyonberger of st. Louis-was found
to be tainted with goldbugism. On a
motion that the committee be ratified by
Investigation, Delegates Lyonberger, De-
voy and Frost pleaded for the formers
recognition. Delegate Dewey read long
instrument in behalf of Mr.. Lyonberger.
He warned the convention that they could
not afford to trample upon the minority.
He warned them that they could not af-
ford to lose many more democratic votes.
A storm of Misses followed his implied
threat Cat calls echoed and re-ochoed
all over the house. During this scene
dozen men were on their feet. Col Mich
OILS NJ. Bell was among them. He demand
ed to be allowed TO be heard.
Chairman Maff1t, who was sitting on the
stage during Mr.. Bells efforts to be heard,
ION, you keep coolg' Mr.. Bell shouted
back.
Chairman Mamtt's blood was up. He
shook his fist at the silver leader, and
In an impassioned speech Mr.. Bell ex-
planned the manner in which the free silver
delegations were elected. From his view
of the case, Delegate Lyonberger had no
right on the committee.
Just after Mr.. Bell finished speaking, he
stepped up along the press tables to get a
Chairman NIamtt walked over to the
edge of the platform, and, leaning over
said something to him.
| Mr. Bell had the glass in his hand. 1t
was full of water. tie let II fly in Chair-
man Maffitts face. The latter said moth
| kerchief and moved back. Some OF the
water hit Chairman Hatch and Secretary
PuUarQ, and wet the RECORDS.
After this scene Mr.. Bell left the hail.
He was followed by some friends, who en-
deavored to smooth out the ruffied reel
ings of the colonel, while others endeay-
ored to perform similar offices with Chair
man Maffitt. Their efforts however,
were fruitlesS.
The convention reassembled at 415
o'clock. A number of resolutions of in
struction to the platform committee were
offered but the chair ruled that they could
not be offered regularly until perma-
Ion affanfa6 Short d.
dresses were made by "silver-tongued or
ators. At $50 o'clock the committee on
credentials had not agreed, and asked for
more time, and another recess was taken
until tonight at o'clock.
When the convention reassembled the
committee on credentials were reported
ready and DR.. Shields of Hannibal read
the report. The only contests were In
the Fifth and Tenth districts. These the
report settled in favor of the silver con-
testants and the convention promptly ap-
proved it, much to the disgust of the small,
but active gold contingent from st Louis.
NJ. E. Benton. was made permanent
chairman. On taking the gavel he scored
President Cleveland in a savage manner,
and put the free silverites in good
humor.
1t was $50 o'clock before the convention
got down to work, and the report of the
committee on resolutions was ready. Then
Thomas Shackleford, chairman of the
committee, appeared and said their re-
port had been signed by every member
but one-Mr. Lyonberger, a gold man of
St. Louis. The committee stood IA to I.
The, platform was read by the secretary
of the committee
Before the report could be adopted Ed
Devery of st. Louis offered the following
amendment which, after some discussion,
was referred to the committee on resolu-
tions, as the only means of killing 1t. The
amendment is: I'VE pledge ourselves and
instruct the delegation to be selected by
this convention to abide by and support
the platform and nominee of the demo-
cratic partly in national convention"
Gov. Stone came forward at his moment
with a set of resolutions endorsing Rich
ard p. Bland for President. The COVER
nor was received with tumultuous roars
He hoped and believed the free silver dele
gates would organize the Chicago conVen-
ton and nominate Mr.. Bland, the fore
most free silver advocate in America" for
President.
rising vote was taken and every one
rose except Graham Frost of st. Louis and
one or two others.
Mr.. ShoWalter of Lafayette offered a res
olution instructing the Missouri member
of the national committee to vote for no
man for temporary chairman of the Chi
cago convention not known to be a free
silver man. This was aimed at ex-Gov
d. r. Francis, who is said to have been
slated for the place named. There were
being from st. Louis.
When the chairman announced that the
order was the selection of four delegates
at large TO the national convention, Mr.
Bland came to the platform. He said that
the convention in its partiality had seen fl I
10 honOr MN with an Endorsement for the
nomination for President and that in yield
ing against his judgment to the will Of the
people of the state he would make the
fight for the nomination and that 1t would
therefore be impossible for him to serve a.
a national delegate.
Messrs. Vest, Cockrell and Stone were
then named as delegates-at-large by ac-
clamation, and George w. Allen, ex-n1ayor
of ST. Louis, was chosen the fourth dele
gate. The financial plank Of the platform
is as follows: We further believe the par
amount issue before the people Of the
United States, relates to the monetary sys-
tenn to be adopted by this country, and
upon that issue we declare that the federal
constitution names silver and gold to-
gether as the money metals of the United
States. Duty to the people requires that
the party of the people continue the bat
tie for bimetallism until its efforts are
crowned with success. Therefore, be It
Resolved, That we demand free and
unlimited coinage of silver and gold into
primary or redemption money, at the ratio
of 16 to I, without waiting for the action or
approval Of any other government.
"Resolved, That we are irrevocably op-
posed 10 the substitution for metallic
money of a panic-breeding corporation
credit currency based on a single metal