The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-06-30

secretary of the national bimetaIie
Democratic committee was among
In convention he said thar proba-
bly, the nrst work Of the committee
would be the appointment or a sub
committee to confer with the Demo
cratic national committee with rhe
view of securing harmonious action in
the convention.
t-Cur committee" said Maj Towles,
referring to the bimetallic organiza-
ton, has done much Of the work which
has resulted in securing a majority for
silver in the convention, and we want
to make sure that the cause is protect
ed in the convention.
Whatever the predictions Of the
national committee, / suppose they VIII
show no disposition to deprive the sill
yer majority OF the convention OF its
right TO name the temporary chairman
and to exercise other rights belonging
to the majority, but if such q dlSposl-
tion should be manifested it would be
resented. and the silver men would I'M
d0ubtedly name a candidate of their
oHn for presiding officer Furthermore,
they would elect him.
TO prevent such a clash as this, or
clash upon any other point il viii be
necessary that our Organization should
have an understanding with the ma
tional committee"
Maj. TowIes has a high idea Of work
which has been performed by the BIZ
metallic committee
fore been done in the history Of the
country, % he said today we have re-
organized the party within the party
on an economic question. Heretofore
when a number OF men have found
themselves differing radically from the
leaders of their party on questions OF
principle, they have found II necessa-
~ to separate from the party Organ1-
zatiOn and to organize a new party.
We have reVolutiOnized the Demo
cratic party on the question Of the
That consider an VeIneTlt worthy
Of note.
AIr Towles thinks that when the test
comes the silver men win be found to
have the necessary tW0-thirds to nom
mate a presidential candidate. The BIZ
metallic committee has from the first
studiously eliminated the question of
can didates from its cOnSld r1onS, but
they win take the matter in hand later
if it appears necessary to secure the
domination of a desirable man
Senator Harris. who, by virtue of his
position as chairman of the national
Democratic committee will preside
over the conference. arrived last night
and took quarters at the Sherman
The meetings will not be open to the
public. Senator Jones of Arkansas who
VIII be prominent figure IN these
meetings. confirmed the statement of
Secretary Towles that the first work
of the conference win b. to confer with
the subcommittee of the national
Democratic committee as 20 the Se-AsC-
ton of temporary chairman, and as
to contests if necessary. E1e said there
was no apprehension that the national
committee would not be disposed TO
deal fairly with the silver majority,
but that it had been thought best in
the interest of effectiveness and secur-
ity to have an understanding
Senator Jones said also that the ques-
ton OF a temporary chairman had not
been canvassed and that he had no
idea of who would be selected for the
position. He also stated that he doubt
ed whether. under the circumstances
the contest which had been threatened
from Texas. Colorado. Nevada and Ne
braska would materialize, nOtV that it
was so evident that the silver men
would have an unQuestiOned majority
They may have thought originally
that they could gain something, in case
the convention should be close, by pre-
venting the representation Of those
states On the committee on CreQenI lalS,
bat the silver majority is now SO pat
ent to all that they must have sur
rendered this idea if they ever enter
tanned it, Mr.. Jones says that so far
as he has heard from the silver dele
gates they practically agree upon the
main features of the platform The
idea is to give first place to the 6nan-
clal plank and to make all other ques-
tons. including the tariff, subservient
to this. "
Asked what influence he expected
hIr. Whitney's coming to Chicago to
nave upon the conNenllons tne senator
replied; None whatever 1t win have
no more effect than would q very fine
spray on q ducks back. The people
have made UP their minds as to what
they want, and the delegates they have
sent here viii be here to do their bid
ding and no amount Of influence viii
change their purpose or turn the
course Of events"
III see" continued the senator. that
it is suggested that business influence
can be brought to bear to change the
votes of southern delegates. Never
was a greater mistake. We of the
south feel that we have already been
ground to powder and no amount of
pulverizing viii affect us. Mr.. Whit
ney will be treated courte0usly, but
this is not going to be Mr.. Whitneys
convention"