The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-07-18
ROW In THE CAMP
SILVER CONVENTIONS VOTES DOWN
THE REPUBLICANS PLATFORM.


Mr.. Mcknight Introduces Series of keso-
lntions such a silver Republican
Could Ipdorse but the Convention Votes
Them Down and Goes Over With Its
baggage Irfo the Demo-Pop Camp
wschua's Hardware Merchant Makes q
Vigorous Fight for Republican Princi-
ps>s-Bryan is Iadorsed.
Joseph H Mcknight was met at his
store yesterday thoroughly engaged
With his business affairs and IL would
De hard TO imagine that one who was at
that moment so interested in the man
agerEent OF the many interests OF a
wholesale business was but a few
hours previous head over heels in poll
lies at the capital OF the state. and at
that time was the center of many eyes
and the wonder and admiration Of many
Df the old politicians of the state, but
1t was the same and only goes TO show
that the shrAwdest politicians of the
LAY are not found among the products
d. the ward heelers, but spring as II by
magic from the counting room, the shop,
the office or the field.
Notwithstanding the fact that during
the past few days while he had been
Earnestly engaged in the political in
terests of his old schoolmate, w. ].
Bryan, that a large amount Of business
mad accumulated on his hands and that
orders were waiting 10 be flied he con-
sented 10 tell the reporter, in answer 10
- -
during his visit at Topeka and among
pther things said:
Yes, 1 was at the state silver con-
vention, and i want TO say that l was
more than gratified to find that the con-
vention was composed largely not Of
Democrats and PopuliStS, but by men,
who, like myself, are true, honest Re
publicans at heart, but who can not
conScientiously support the gold plat
form Of the Republican party as adopt
ed at ST. Louis The conven ton was
composed of seven Republicans out of
every eight, and outside of Sedgwick
rounty the delegations were made UP
Of thorough Republicans
We stopped at the old Democrat tic
headquarters-the Throop. In the
morning began TO circulate among the
delegates who had arrived to attend
the convention and imagine my sur
prise and satisfaction TO find that the
men VINO were there were principally
not members Of either the Democratic
or Populist party. but were active, ear
nest, honest Republicans when the con-
vention met in St. Louis and adopted
got the platform as desired by the great
mass. but rather the dictation OF the
money lenders.
I'VE concluded to call a caucus Of IN.
Republicans and consequently a meet
Ing was called at $50 o'clock, which was
composed solely OF Republicans. It
was decided that no person who was
actively engaged n any of the existing
political parties should control or have
any part in the convention, aside from
acting as delegates. That this con-
Ventlon should re controlled solely in
the interest of the free coinage of sill
yer at the ratio OF Is to I. and not in the
interest of any party, and that persons
who were affiliating with other parties
could not correctly voice the true senti-
nents Of this uprising of the people,
and that no delegate to ST Louis should
be sent excepting that they should pub
sicly denounce all other connections
with existing political parties. In fact
the caucus decided that silver Repubif-
ton at st. Louis. BY some means a
Populist from Wyandotte county was
found in the caucus and he said that
this arrangement would he perfectly
satisfactory to both the PopulistS and
Democrats
1T was argued that the Populists had
party as did the Democrats, while
the silver Republicans like the Savior
rad not where to lay their head and
that this convention should make that
home for them and where they
would feel thoroughly prepared for
patriotic work for the cause of the white
metal.
The caucus agreed upon Edward Lit
tie. who was consul general 10 Cairo
under President Harrison. as TEMPORARY
chairman, and il was agreed that one
delegate from each congressional dis
trict should be chosen to confer with
the chairman upon the members Of the
various committees. The members
OF the committee were selected before
the convention assembled so as TO have
everything prepared and things would
run smooth In the Seventh congress
sional district Judge Caldwell OF Wich-
Sta county was selected as member of
the committee to confer with the chair
on resolutions. The caucus then ai-
journed and each congressional dis
trict met and selected delegates.
The Seventh district selected Colonel
Jooelyn, Amos AIcClain of Wichita, G..
", Finch OF Harper, Judge Ray OF Sum-
ner, Judge Caldwell OF Wichita county.
and Mr.. Porter Of Reno. and agreed
upon certain candidates for delega tes-
at-large
u then met ". r. Turner Of Deca tur
county in a conference on resolutions
and 10 him l submitted the resolution
which / had prepared, and which are
published below. The committee OBJ
Jected strongly 10 the paragraph in
which the resolutions Instructed for W
J. Bryan l informed the committee
that 1 would Introduce the resolution
in minority report and abide by the
decision of the convention.
The convention met at the National
hotel and marched double file to Ham
ifoon hall IL was two blocks long and
would impress any one as being COM
posed OF representative Republicans
and business men of Kansas.
Hon Edward Little was selected "a
temporary chairman, and one motion
was TO appoint the four committees as
agreed upon by the caucus. but for
some cause he suggested 4 recess to al
low congressional districts 20 name the
members Of the different committees
and for some cause I was not made a
member Of the committee on resolutions
When the resolutions were introduced
] moved a substitute and introduced the
following resolutions;
We, the free silver voters OF Kansas
Awarded