Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1896-07-23
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National Silver Convention.

fNONY YENIlON I1ALA<S %. A<VOAct OuAy
23rc. The national silver convention
was raped to order at 1927 O'Clock,
this morning, by Chairman st. John.
Congressman Francis G. Newlands,
republican, of Nevada, stated that he
understood that the expense OF the
convention had not been provided for
and be moved thata committee on ways
and means be appointed to provide the
necessary funds for this purpose.
1t was agreed to.
Chairman St. John then introduced
to the convention its vice-chairman,
Hon. Charles A. Towne, Of MINES 1ta.
He was received with applause, and
made fine speech, which was loudly
applauded. His allpsion tosthe grand,
old man, OF Colorado, SENATOR; Henry
NJ. Teller, set the convention on its
legs in tumultuous applause. He paid
q glowing tribute to the worth, char
acter and abiliues oftW. j. Bryan, say.
ing that his nomination demonstrated
the truth of the statement that ia af-
fairs OF Providence there are no &C.
cidents!
Mrs. Helen M. Cougar, Of Indiana,
briefly. addressed the convention. She
charged that never since the days Of
Belsbazzar's feast, had there been more
drunkenness known than was display
ed In St. Louis, the night before the
republican convention adopted its plat
form, last month. In closing, Mrs.
Cougar took charge Of the convention,
she calling upon the band to strike up
"America,'' and asking the audience
to Join in singing that grand old hymn.
There were but few In the nssemblage,
however, who could sing more than the
first verse.
Judge Joseph Sheldon, OF Connecti-
cut, one of the signers OF the silver
resolutions address, issued from WASH
ington, last winter. venerable gen.
tleman, next read prepared speech
upon the financial question to the con.
vention.
Vice-C Chairman Towne took the chair
at this point, Chairman st. John tenn
porarily retiring. Towne announced
that the subcommittee on resolutions
had notified him that they were not
yet ready to report. A meeting Of the
full committee would be held one hour
after taking recess: !,
The following resolution was pro-
posed by Judge Hillyer, Of Washing
ton, D. c., for the consideration Of the
delegates during recess.
Res0lved, That in the present situa-
ton this organization, logically, in the
coming campaign, must be peculiarly
of the independent, free
silver republicans, that the efforts Of
the national convention should be chief
ly directed to combining and augment
ing this republican element as an inde-
pendent force, cooperating with Others
for the election of the candidates whom
this convention shall name for presi.
dent and vice. president, and q free sill
yer congress.
AT the request Of the Wisconsin dele
cation, Ruble ID. Cole wassgiven few
minutes in which to address the convun-
ton, to protest against Mrs. Cougars
plea,-a proposition for combination
Of forces upon the subjects Of prohibi-
tion, and land reform, or direct legis-
lation.
"The silver party" Mr.. Cole said,
s.does not annex itself TO the prohibi-
tionists or the national party. Much
confusion in the hall, many delegates
being opposed to the speakers views
Mr.. Cole was compelled to suspend.
The convention at 12:45 took recess
until $3.50 p. m.
[Bulletin]. A poll OF the former
poll ical affiliations Of the delegations
to this convention, gives the following
results: Republicans, 626; demo-
Gratis, 1885; populists, AZ; prohibition
ls.s. g; greenbackers, i; independ.
ents, IS.
Convention adjourned until 10
O'Clock, to- morrow.