Birmingham state herald., 1896-07-01
.GIRD|NG FOR THE FRAY The Silver Men Size Up the Situation. TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION Is the Only Point About Which They Are Con
 cerned-More About That Bland-
 AltgeId Deal.

naIlOnal cOnVentlOn the leaders or the silver element have donned their armor and girded themselves for the coming fray
 Today the Sherman house, where the white metal headquarters have been lo- cated, resounded with shouts and yells of it's advocates resplendent in 16 to badges, buttons and other insignia, while it's register bore more distinguished names than have been inscribed in the books of tho hostelry for a quarter of 8 century. So far none of the prominent advocates of the gold standard have put in an appearance, and consequently the silver people have undisputed possession of the field.
 About tomorrow, however, the former will begin to be in evidence, and from then on every day will witness some new phase of battle between the majority and the earnest, aggressive minority.
 The conspicuous features of the open ing of the war today were the conference between the binetallic democratic na- tional committee and the outside silver men, the meeting between Governor Stone of Missouri and Governor Aitgelo of Illinois, and the declaration of the 1lli- noiS delegation in favor of the abroga- tion of the two-thirdS rule.
 AS to the first 1t was much more largely attended than had been anticipated in view of the fact that it was simply a preliminary meeting. These were amongst those who responded to the roll call: United States Senators Harris Of Tennessee, Bate of Tennessee, Jones of Arkansas, Turpie of Indiana, Cockrell of Missouri, Daniel of Virginia, Senator elect Money of Mississippi, Governor Stone of Missouri, Governor Altgeld of Illinois, Secretary of State Heinrichsen of Illinois, John w. Tomlinson of Ala bama, Ex-Congressman George Fithian of Illinois, B. F. Shively of Indiana, s. B. Evans of Iowa, G. F. Hummer of Michi- gan, Judge Shackleford of Missouri, Ex- Congressman w. ]. Bryan and W. H. Thompson of Nebraska, John Wech and Judge w. Mullane of Oregon, o. W. Pow CTS of Salt. Lake City, Wiley E. Jones of Arizona.
 Among those expected, but who had not arrived in the city, were Ex-Con- gressman Casey Young of Tennessee Ex-Speaker Charles F. Crisp of Georgia and Allen w. Thurman of Ohio. These, however, were the only conspicuous ab- sentees from a total of sixty state com mitteemen and members of the central executive committee.
 The preliminary meeting lasted less than an hour. The situation was in formally discussed and it was agreed that the silver forces need only to work harmoniously in order to insure the adoption of an out and out 16 to 1 plat form.
 What gave the conferees most concern was the matter of the temporary organ ization of the convention. The fact was dwelt upon that the sentiment of the national committee was opposed to that of majority of the delegates, but on the other hand 1t was insisted that 1t did not necessarily follow that the commit tee would go so far as to attempt to get in any advantage or attempt to con- summate any strategy by authority vested in it. In order to be on the safe side It was finally determined to appoint committee of five to wait on the execu- tive committee of the national commit tee and as the resolution automatically put it, to confer with that body in refer ence to all questions and matters affect ing temporary Organization and pro- ceedings. This committee, as designated by Senator Harris, who presided over the conference, is composed of Senators Jones, Turpie. Daniels and Governors Stone and Altgeld.
 This committee repaired to the head quarters of the national committee at the Palmer house after dinner, but was informed by MT. Sheerin that Chair man Harrity would not arrive till to- morrow morning, and that a meeting of the executive committee had been called for noon. The delegates intimated their desire to be given an audience at 2 p. m
 The conference between Governor Stone, the leader of the Bland forces, and Governor Altgeld was held behind closed doors in the latters quarters at the Sherman house, Col. Charles H. Jones of St. Louis being the only outsider present within 100 yards of earshot. The confer ence was evidently prearranged, as Gov ernor Stone went to the Sherman house after registering at the Auditorium. Nearly an hour was consumed in the conference, and at it's conclusion not one of those present would say word or breathe a suggestion concerning it's inn port. Governor Stone, however, ap- peared to be in particularly exuberant spirits and insisted that Bland could not be kept out of the nomination. Sixteen to 1, he said, meant Bland; Bland meant 16 to 1; both meant free silver, and that was the issue of the day. The news of the conference spread quickly around town and was taken at once for granted that the Bland leaders had made some kind of an alliance with Governor Alt geld, at whose word the forty-eight votes of Illinois will be cast as he wills it and as unit on all questions. Governor Alt geld was asked point blank whether such an alliance had been formed, but he merely smiled and said that the time to talk had not rived
 The conference created uneasiness among the supporters of Governor Boies and some decidedly bitter talk was in- dulged in concerning the alleged antag onism of Governor Altgeld toward the grand old man of the Iowa democracy.