Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-06-12
SILVER AND UNIT RULE.
Adopted by the Democratic State
Convention.
Ranator Martina Flop.


man Bigger called the Democratic state
convention to order at $3.50 yesterday
afternoon the committee on permanent
organization made its report. Micaiah
Woods. OF Albemarle. was made chair
man. j. Bell Bigger and Joseph Button
were named as secretaries, and Glare nee
Z. Young as assistant secretary. Mr..
Woods made a fine address.
The committee on credentials report
ed l 1862 delegates, and as the committee
on resolutions was not ready to report a
suggestion was made that pending the
receipt of tho platform the delegates
should be elected. Instantly the silver
men were alert in opposition and the
election Of delegates was abandoned.
AT this moment Senator Martin was
called for, IL am glad" he said as he
began ''to see such gathering of Viz
ginia Democrats, Sixty days ago there
was not a man in the State who was
giving any special thought to the cause
of Democracy who believed we had the
slightest hope of winning at the next
November election, now look forward
with hope, and may say with certainty,
especially, if the Democrats Of the other
States are filled with the same spirit
which enthuses you today, to the cleo
ton next November Of a Democratic
President who will be more satisfactory
| trust, than the one who now fills the
Executive chair"
The cheers of the anti Cleveland men
were followed by loud misses from the
friends Of the administration,
Senator Martin, apparently excited by
the tumult which he had created, waved
his arms In the air and shouted above
the din: IF the President OF the United
States, the Democrat who for three
years has been in the White House, has
earned a reputation for any one thing
more than another it is as wrecker OF
his party"
As soon As Martin uttered these words
at the top of his voice, confusion downed
the ,hrill Kisses Of Cleveland's friends
the silverites climbed upon chairs and
stridentlv howled with healthy lungs,
shouting and waving hats and canes in
the air
When quiet had been restored he
touched the spark to the gunpowder
again when he exclaimed: Despite
the crimes of the administration there Is
life in the Democratic party yet In
conclusion he declarec himself in favor
O; the free and unlimited coinage of sill
yer at the ratio of lG to /,
When the Senator had concluded
Congressman Tucker took the platform
and in stirring speech defended the
President from the attacks made upon
him.
The committee on resolutions then re-
ported and the majority platform was
read by Senator Daniel. The platform
maintains thyt no man should be eligible
for third term of the Presidential
office and instructs all OF the delegates
from Virginia to the National Democra-
tic Convention at Chicago to vote for
a platform declaring for freee and I'M
limited coinage OF silver and gold at the
ratio of lG to /. and for candidates fer
President and Vice President who
openly advocate that principle. The
minority report was read by Mr.. Mum
ford OF Richmond.
Judge Watts, of Portsmouth, then
arose and began to argue against inc
unit rule. and when he had concluded
Senator Daniel assembled the platform
and was given an ovation. He said that
the gold delegates from the Second
District did not represent the wishes
and views of the great majority OF Viz
ginia Democrats, aud they ought not TO
be allowed to attempt at Chicago the
thwartng OF the will of that majority
I'm conclusion Senator Daniel said that
lifthe silver Democrats were crazy there
would soon not be ensugh gold mento
act as constables for the lunatic asylums.
The gold men," lie exclaimed passion
atelv. may have the press the banks,
the corporations, and the millionalres'
but so help me God, believe we have
the right"
The minority report was then adopted
by vote of 1916 to 81. The announce
ment of the vote was greeted with great
applause. The adoption of the unit rule
was voted on, which resulted in the
adoption Of the plank by vote OF l,61'
to 542.
At the evening session the delegate
, adopted resolution presenting thu
name of Senator John w. Daniel TO
one of the places upon the natiOna
ticket. John w. Daniel, W. A. Jonei
c. A. Swanson and II. 5. X. Morrlso
were elected delegates at large and "
= 0. Hardway, OF Roanoke; George /
q Keesel, Of Rockingham; Frank HUME
Of Alexandria. and Judge Roger Grei
DRY, of Richmond, misunderstanding
and ex-Congressman j. W. Marshall,
Craig county, and w. B. McIlwaine'
q Petersburg. electors-at-large. Congress
Is man Utey was elected member OF Il
national committee. The selection OF
chairman of the State committee W
|" relegated to the action OF that col
10 mittee, owing to the doubt expressed
y the present chairman, ex-Mayor Ellyso
d as to whether he could serve.