The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-07-02
Democratic Executive Commit.
tee Held a Conference.
BUT MADE NO SELECTION
The Silver Men Ask to be Heard
on the Question.
CHAIRMAN HARRlTYs POSITION
The Committee is Called to Meet Again
Next Monday and Consider the
Question of Temporary
Organization.
Organization.

Chicago. Ills., July 1.-The Executive
committee of the National Democratic
committee convened at the Palmer
House promptly at IL o'clock to-day
with Chairman Harrity and Messrs.
Wall. Sheerin, Sherley, Prather and
Wallace present, Mr.. Cable being the
only absentee. The committee went
Immediately into executive session
with a Gordon of guards at the various
doors. :
The silver committee, consisting OF
Senators Jones, Daniel, Turple, ana
Governors Altgeld and Stone were
nromptlv admitted and were closeted
with the executive committee for some
time. The question of temporary or
panization was under discussion.
The two committees were together
for an hour and half when the silver
men withdrew. leaving the National
committeeman to continue their con-
ference.
The proceedings were informal in
character, and while there was no
aerimony displayed on either SIDE, the
conversation was very earnest IN char-
acter. There were no formal speeches,
hit the conference partook of the
character of general convocation-
log fire in the country" said one of
the participants after it had closed.
The silver men first asked that 1t
should be definitely understood that
they did not come as representatives
of the silver committee but as delegates
representing the majority view OF the
convention. They expressed desire
to have an understanding upon the va
rious questions of temporary organlza-
ton. chairman, seats for delegates and
alternates. procedure.in regard TO con-
testing delegations and the arrange
ment of the temporary roll call.
The principal part of the conference
was devoted to the selection of a tenn
porarv chairman: and upon this point
no understanding was reached. Chair
man Harrity stated that he had no OPP
portunity for conference with other
members of the National committee,
and he did not feel prepared to indicate
the policy of the committee. lie said
| lie would be pleased to confer with the
silver men again, and asked them to
meet the committee next Monday, il
not before, by which time he hoped to
be able to speak authoritativeiy. lie
said he had no candidate, but declined
to say whether the committee would be
disposed to act upon their own respon-
sibility, or accept the advice of the sill
yer men.
Chairman Harrity's exact position
was that the full National committee
would have to pass upon the temporary
chairmanship, and that he had no
means of knowing how the members
of the executive committee would re-
gard the subject. He ventured the
opinion that they would be controlled
by their convictions and their judg-
ment. If controlled by conviction
alone, they would probably select a
man holding the same financial views,
which they might individually hold,
whereas, if they consulted their judg-
ment, they might seat a man whose
views would be in harmony with the
sentiment of the majority of he conven-
ion. They did not, he said, suppose
that the executive committee would
feel called upon to make recommen-
dation. If not, there would be no use
for the silver committee to see the ex-
executive committee again, and
they could call upon the Ma
tional committee Monday. Ii
the executive committee should. how
ever, decide to act, the silver men would
be notified, and they would be heard
again by the executive committee.