The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-07-07

press to the sessions of the committee, and
Its proceedings were entirely behind closed
doors. The committee decided to take up
the contested cases first. There was very
little interest in them, with the exception
| of the Michigan and Nebraska cases.
These, it was expected, would determine
the relative strength of the gold and silver
men on the committee.
The Nebraska case was settled in favor
of the gold men by vote Of rs to 20, which
was about u test vote, as was shown later
by the vote for the temporary chairman.
Members of the committee who were in
favor of the gold delegation and voted
with the majority said the case was very
peculiar, and it was very hard to tell
which side had the regularity, although it
was his opinion that the gold men had
long series of presidents and should be
seated. The contest, however, was de-
cided on straight vote as to preference Of
members of the committee as to the gold
or silver delegates. The probabilities are
that the convention will seat the silver
delegation.
Both the gold and silver delegations
from South Dakota were ordered placed
on the rolls by viva voce vote, each be-
ing given u half vote.
The action Of the committee in seating
the gold delegation from Michigan was
surprise to the silver men. But one vote
was cast against placing the gold delega-
ton on the temporary roll, and that was
cast by Mr.. Campeau, who Is one of the
silver leaders of Michigan, a most pro-
nounced silver man. and one who has been
emphatic in his denunciatfon of the pres
ent administration. Mr.. Thomas, of Col
orado, made the motion to seat the gold
delegation, and forty-seven members Of
the national committee voted to do so.
In view of the threats that have been
made by the silver men that the four dele
gates-at-large from Michigan would be un-
seated In order to cast the vote of that
state for silver, and secure two-thirds
majority in the convention, it remains to
be seen what action they will take, now
that the silver men on tho national COM
mittee, with one exception, voted to seat
the gold delegates. The other contests
were of minor Importance, and the de-
cision in each case was in no sense a test.
Of course the important feature Of the
meeting Of the committee was the selection
of temporary chairman for the conven-
ton. As has been generally predicted,
Senator Hill received u majority of the
votes Of the committee, and today, when
Chairman Harrity calls the convention to
order, he will present Mr.. Hill for tenn
porary chairman. The vote in the COM
mittee, ~ to 20, showed that the silver
men were not satisfied, and the announce
ment was Immediately made thata minor
ity report will be presented and that MIR.
Daniel who was defeated in committee,
will be made the choice of silver men for
temporary chairman. 1t means that there
will be fight in the convention as soon as
the chaplain finishes his prayer.
There was an interesting scene in the
committee after Mr.. Hills selection, when
Mr.. Thomas announced the determination
of the silver men to elect another man and
inquired of Chairman Harrity if silver
man would be recognized to place another
man in nomination, question which Mr.
Harrity resented as q reflection upon his
fairness.
When Mr.. Clayton, of Alabama, made
his speech asking for the selection of Sem
ator Daniel for temporary chairman he in
dictated very plainly that the purpose of the
silver men in appealing to the gold men of
tllt CUlillilltec HOU u ldlllC man IOf tenn
porary chairman who was unsatisfactory
to majority Of the convention was to
avert fight as soon as the convention is
called to order.
The committee completed its work by
selecting the minor officers, to which there
will be no objections. These are as fol-
lows Temporary secretary S. P. Sheer
ing of Indiana; sergeant-at-arms John r.
Martin of st. Louis; assistant sergeant-at-
arms James Oliver of New York.
After the adjournment of the national
committee Mr.. Clayton, Of Alabama,
stated that Immediately after Chairman
Harrity calls the convention to order he
will present the name of David B. Hill, of
New York, for temporary chairman, and
will then recognize either Mr.. Clayton or
Mr. Thomas, the committeeman from
Colorado, who will present on behalf of
the minority of the national committee
the name Of Senator John w. Daniel, of
Virginia.
The silver men were not prepared for
the announcement of the selection of SEN
Htor Hill. They had counted confidently
Upon securing the cooperation of q suffi-
tent number of gold members of the COM