Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-08
Delegates Specializing on the Con-
vention's Action.
DISCUSSING WORK OF COMMITTEES
General Apprehension Of the Ap-
proach of Crisis.
LOOKING FOR A BOLT

work OF the day endurab1e, and has given
delegates a chance to sleep with comfort
under blankets during the scant hours al
lotted to rest
1t has been ideal weather since the adj
vance guards arrived last week. The
crowds down town and about the conven-
tion hall showed no diminution today, but
there was less of furore and demonstration
than there had been. The personal ele-
ment surrounding candidates had given
place to that tense feeling over the issue
between gold and silver forces as 1t
neared its eliminating point. Moreover,
there appeared to be the lack of that per-
sonal magnetism among candidates which
inspires convention crowds to genuine en-
thusiasm. The shouters seemed to rest
content with the showing already made
and are allowing the workers to settle
down to serious business.
The crowds were moving toward the
Coliseum early in the day. as the time of
meeting was 10 O'clock and the experience
of yesterday warned people that time and
patience were required In gaining admis-
sion.
Sergeant-at-arms Martin promised an i'm
provement on yesterdays arrangements.
He has been the most abused man in Chi
cago since the wild rush appeared at the
opening. and reports were current that he
you'd be superseded when the permanent
organization was perfected. There was the
prospect, also, Of coup dmain by the
silver forces in throwing open the conven-
tion doors to the public.
This had been seriously discussed at the
meeting Of the committee on rules last
night, when 1t was pointed out that hun
dreds OF seats in the rear of the main floor
and the galleries were unoccupied yester-
day, although the silver leaders had striven
vainly to secure a quota of tickets COM
mensurate with their strength in the con-
vention. The committee appointed Senator
Money and General ST. Clair to confer
with Chairman Harrity early today, and
the threat was made that if a liberal dis
tribution Of tickets did not follow the
doors of the convention hall would be
thrown open to the democracy.
Looking for the Crisis.
The day promised to be one to bring the
crisis on the floor Of the convention which
all have SO long anticipated All of the
events last night, and extending far into
the early hours today marked the near
approach Of the eliminating point. The
order of business adopted by the rules COM
mlttee was such that after the induction
OF the permanent presiding officer, Senator
White OF California, the first business
would be the report of the credentials
committee. embracing the bitter contest
over Michigan; then the report of the plat
form; next the speeches placing candidates
IN nomination, and, finally, the balloting,
The choice of Senator White gave uni
versal satisfaction, even the gold men con-
cedins his fitness as presiding officer. He
has q voice 0f that vi
carries without the slightest effort. He is
not demonstrative or oratorical hut hia
diction is choice, and he has a command of
parliamentary procedure which gives lu-
cidity to his decisions He is In the yisor
OF middle life, with the robust physique
which adds force to his other attachments.
The Michigan Case.
The report on the Michigan case was tn
be the signal for opening the conflict to-
day. Two reports were ready. That from
the majority seated eight of the silver
contestants, thereby giving a total of twen-
ty silver men out Of the twenty-eight in the
Michigan delegation, and under the unit
rule, swinging the entire twenty-eight into
the silver column.
The minority report favored the retention
of the eight gold delegates, who had thus
far held the balance of power under the
unit rule in keeping the twenty-eight votes
of Michigan in the gold column The issue
On the two reports involved intense Der
sonu feeling, in which charges were made
that federal offices had been bartered to
control the Michigan state convention.
There was every indication that this per-
sonal element would be aired on the floor
OF Inc convention, and that the question of
federal influences would be brought in for
that severe criticism which has thus far
proceeded behind closely guarded doors.
Such vas the feeling over this contest that
1t promised to take much time, and possibly
to crowd other business late into the day.
1t was also regarded by many as furnish
ing the opportunity to the gold men to
leave the convention, on the grounds that
the silver forces were riding over them
rough shod.
Contest Oh Platform.
The contest on platform also promised
another heated debate. There had neye,
been doubt that the silver men would in
ject 16 to 1 into the platform, but as the
result of the meeting Of the committee on
platform last night there was now added
several new personal elements. These in.
Guided the declaration against issue OF
bonds in time Of peace, and an arraignment
of selling bonds to foreign purchasers. The
national hank question was also involved
in the proposal of the majority to limit the
right of national banks to issue notes
Added to this was the PROPOSED for con.
stitutioral amendment which would permit
Congress to enact an income tax.
Outside of these economic features, the
plank commencing Senator Hills bill regu-
lating punishment in contempt cases offer.
ed field for debate, as it grew out of the
arrest of Eugene v. Debs and other labo,
organizers during the great Chicago strike
No doubt existed that the silver men would
adopt the majority report on platform VIXEN
vote was finally reached, and a majority
instead of two-thirds, was sufficient to
adopt. But before this vote was reached a
heated debate was expected, which would
present all of those contentious which have
thus far been urged outside the convention
hall.
With these contests over Michigan and
the platform ahead, the leaders felt much
doubt whether the balloting on candidates
would begin today, although there was q
slight prospect that some vf the nominal.
ing speeches might be male at O night ses.
sion.
Talk of o Bolt.
The talk of a bolt was renewed as a result,