Evening star., 1896-09-10
Reconvening Of the Pennsylvania
Democratic Convention.
TO CHOOSE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS
Gold Men Protest Against Silver
ties Course.
THE CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS

cratic state convention, reconvened for the
purpose of filling vacancies OF the electoral
ticket created by the withdrawal after the
Chicago convention of about one-tnird of
the electors selected at the Allentown con-
vcntion on April ~. met In the Harrisburg
opera House shortly after noon today.
There was good attendance and the sl-
Yer men were in complete control.
Erior % the assembling of the convention
there were numerous cGucuSes and con-
tercnces of both elements of the party. AT
1850 o'clock the executive committee of the
state central committee met and decided
to recommend that a formal platform be
adopted. The preparation of this iE-
trusted to committee headed by ex-Con-
gresham James Kerr and Howard Mutch-
ler.
Next the full state committee met and
discussed the proposition of a fusion with
the populists. The populists agreed to sup
pert Bryan IL they We're given four Of the
thIrty-tT-o names on the electoral ticket.
This was vigorously opposed by the MEM
bors of the committee from Philadelphia
ard other eastern counties, on the ground
that 1t would be unwise to nominate any
thing but a straightout democratic ticket.
y majority of the committee favored fu-
sion. but there was no formal action up to
l. o'clock. when an adjournment was taken
10 allow a further conference with the sub
committee of the populist state committee.
Gold Mems Protest.
The leaders OF the gold element, includ-
Ing es-State Chairman Robert E. Wright,
who resigned because he could not support
Bryan; State Chairman Given of the gold
democrats, Collector of the Port John r.
Read of Philadelphia and Samuel Dickson
of Philadelphia. who was a leading delegate
10 the indianapolis. convention. met and
got into shape their protest against what
they declared the revolutionary proceed
inss of the silverites. This intrusted
to Robert Z. James of Northampton for
presentation TO the convention.
Chairman Keenan's Address.
At 123%J pm. the assemblage was called
to order. Secretary Matt Savage read the
call for the convention.
Capt. John B. Keenan, of Westmoreland
who had been agreed upon as temporary
and permanent chairman, assumed charge
of the gavel, and proceedings began. Mr..
Keenan, said:
In beginning / should perhaps apologize
to the convention for disobeying the orders
of the caucus at Chicago and voting for
Bryan. The Chicago convention not only
changed great many mems minds on the
currency question, but it also changed the
minds Of a great many men on other ques-
tions. We in the east believed that the
star of democracy was ascendant. But we
found at Chicago that the democrats of the
west and south were the courageous and
patriotic men of the country.
We found the eastern democrats assem-
bled for the purpose OF accomplishing the
election of Mckinley. There is a great diff
ference of opinion as 10 which Jefferson
the Jefersonian democracy of Pennsyl-
vania Is named after. Some think it Is
Thomas Jefferson, while others believe 1t
Is Jefferson Davis. CLaughter0 The re-
In favor Of International bimetallism. This
Is n fraudulent pretense. however, as no
speaker advocates bimetallism, and no date
is fixed when Dimetallism is TO take effect.
On the other hand. the democratic party
declares freely and frankly for the free
and unlimited coinage of silver and offers
TO the people a definite plan for the i'm
provement of the financial condition which
is worse today than at any time for fifty
years (Cheers.)
I'VE are criticised for abusing the Su-
preme Court Gentlemen, We do not un-
duly criticlse the Supreme Court. The Su-
preme Court criticise themselves"
Mr.. keenan, defended the income tax.
The law passed. he said, protected the
poor man, and the rich man, who gets his
wealth from the efforts of the working
man. surely has no cause to complain.
IF the populists of the south and west
are good enough for the republicans to
combine with 1 believe the popullsts of the
forth and east are good enough for the
democrats to combine with. / want to see
the common enemy fought with the most
effective weapons. and / therefore believe
the position of the democrats IN PennSyl-
Venia would he strengthened by the fusion
with the populists which is now offered us.
tCheers) Before election day comes the
gold men of Pennsylvania, irrespective of
party, Will be united on one ticket in every
close congressional district, and l therefore
urge that the silver men do likewise. This
will result. L know, in carrying many a
doubtful district for the cause of silver"
(Cheers)
Most Original Delegates Absent.
Roll of delegates was then called. Not
more than one-third of the original dele
gates to the Allentown convention answer
ed to their names. the subs stitutions in near
ly every instance being silver men,