The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-03-05
,,rsso1rRI SOUND MONEY DENo-
Gratis HOLD A MEETING VI
PROTEST.
HUNTER WITHDREW FROM The RACt
For Kentucky acknowledgements
Have Not Decided on Another Can
didate Yet-Widest Excitement
Followed the Announcement.

St Louis. Feb. 29.-As the result Oh
call issued several days ago 5Uo prohii-
nent Democrats who are opposed 10 .n'
free coinage of silver at the ratlo OIL ~ "
assembled here today to protest, as thcs
form if against being read out OF the
party" ,,ans
Among the more prominent leaders
nresent were Chairman Chas. f. Malltt
of the Democratic State central comhii'-
| tee: Congressman Z. S. Hall, ex-GoVer-
nor David r. Francis and Hon. james
! o. Broadhead
A lengthy address to the Democrats OIL
Missouri was adopted unanimously.
1t starts out by declaring that the I'M
precedented action of calling the stare
convention to meet OH April to elect del
egates to the National convention three
months in advance of the meeting of the
convention, was done with the avoWeu
purpose of influencing the party in other
States and committing the Natlonai
Democracy TO the free and unlimited
coinage of silver at ratio of III to OF
gold, regardless of the relative CONNER
cal value of the two metals. and regard
| less of the action of the other CONNER
cal nations of the world.
| The address goes on to say:
"To make to the country at large
showing of strength they do not possess,
the advocates of this policy openly avow
their intention to secure the delegates
| from every district in the State, if need
be, by dcpriving voters of the right, never
before questioned, of choosing their dele
gates and electing them through the ac-
ton of the entire body of the State con-
vcntiOn.
and while these advocates of free sill
yer propose, if they find themselves in Il
majority in the State convention, to deny
all right of representation to the minority,
many of them at the same time avow
their purpose not to submit to the ma
/ jOrity in the National convention If that
ma jOrity shall be ayerSC to them, but to
array the Democracy of Missouri against
the platform and nominee of the National
Democracy.
1T is the highest duty of all Demo
Gratis to hold to the ancient faith of the
party. to no longer tamely submit to Il
policy which has brought upon the party
! nothing but humiliation and is fraught
| with menace to the best interests of the
| country.
1--WE therefore. loyal Democrats. call
| upon the voters of the party everywhere
| throughout the State to make an open,
active and organized opposition to the
effort to commit the party to policy
which can only end in disaster. and if all
who hold with us will assert themselves
by voice and by vote we may yet rescue
the State from the threatened misfor-
| tune of Republican rule"
A committee on organization composed
of two delegates from each congressional
district was appointed with Ex-Governor
| Francis as chairman.
DIR. HUNTER WITHDRAWS.
Frankfort, Ky, Feb. 29.-The call OF
the roll today showed 100 members pres
ent; necessary to Il choice, &C. 1t was
stated that Senator Blackburn's friends
intended to force the balloting and try
to elect that candidate. At the conclusion
of roll call Representative Lyons arose
and read a communication from DR.
Hunter in which he withdrew from the
race. He said, among other things, that
as the session was drawing to a close he
would dissolve the members of his party
from their pledge to vote for him as the
caucus nominee. The communication
was received with applause and hum OF
excitement at once went up.
The withdrawal of DR.. Hunter caused
the widest excitement. 1t was taken
to mean that he realized that further de.
sertions would occur and that rather
than prolong the agony he would get
off now and not wait until he was forced
The ballot was then ordered called. II
developed the fact that no one as yet had
been decided on by the Republicans as a
unit, although tonight Il caucus will be
held and some one nominated.
Because of the number of candidates
the announcement of the result of the
ballot was delayed for some time. al
though it was known at once that there
had been no election. The ballot result
ed as follows: Blackburn, 81; Bennett
4; Burnham. 6; Stone, s; Deboe, Z; Holt
8; Finley. Z; Pratt, 2; Dche. l; Hunter
4; Worthington. .; Blanford, 3; Buckner
); Carlisle, / rest scattering.
The Republicans have called a caucus
for Monday night to nominate II candi-
date for senator in the place of DR.. Hun.
ter.