Evening journal., 1896-07-02
plans Of tic siiver Men.

CHICAGO July 2.-The committee OF
five appointed on behalf of the silver dele.
gates to confer with the executive COM
mittee OF the national committee inado
its report to the silver delegates at a well
attended meeting held at the Sherman
House. The report was made by Senator
Jones, chairman of the committee. Tho
committee was continued in existence by
unanimous vote The report covered the
facts of the meeting as heretofore sent out.
In presenting the report Mr.. Jones stated
that the committee was courteously re-
ceived, and he expressed the opinion that
the executive committee was disposed to
deal fairly with the silverites. Some Of the
other members Of the committee were not
disposed to take so sanguine view Of the
situation, and at least one of them ex-
pressed the opinion that it was the pur-
pose of the national committee to attempt
to foist gold man on the convention for
temporary chairman. This brought ont
some very vigorous speeches, all very
much in the same line and all evincing
determination TO have the temporary
chairman at whatever cost Senator Elect
Money Of Mississippi was one of the most
outspoken of the speakers. He took the
position that the selection of a temporary
al committee at all, even though there
should be a promise to name q silver man,
but that the silver delegates should de-
mand the right to name the chairman.
Others advised more conservative course,
and st was informally decided to leave the
matter as the committee had presented IT,
agreeing to accept any silver delegate Of
recognized standing who might be chosen
by the national committee IN case one
such should be selected. There was no
abatement however in the demand for a
silver presiding officer, the delegates agree
ing that they did not propose 60 allow a
gold man to be put up to make the open
ing speech and have this speech sent
broadcast over the country as the first ex-
preston of the Democratic convention.
The plan of proceeding OF the silver men
IN case of the selection of a gold standard
advocate by the committee was developed
during the course of the meeting. They
consider that about one-third of the mem-
bcrs of the national committee are silver
mon. In tho event indicated these mem
bers will present . minority report, NAM
ing the choice OF the silver men for presid-
ing officer, whereupon the controversy
will be brought to an issue upon the floor
Of tho convention
1t was generally conceded that under
the precedents there could be no interior
ence with tho national committee in pro-
pairing the temporary roll of the conyen-
tion. This decision will leave to the ma
tional committee the duty of passing up
on the prima facio facts in the contests.
The silver men also discussed the advisa-
bility of abrogating the two-thirds rule in
accordance with the recommendations of
the Illinois delegation. No formal action
was taken, but the preponderanceo Of senti-
ment was SO strongly against change
that it was made practically certain that
1t will not be attempted. This is duo to
the fact that it is considered that such "a
course will be unnecessary. Several mem
beFs presented figures to show that the
change viii not be necessary. These fig
ures on the face of the returns received
place the silver strength at 59s as against
1892 gold delegates but assurances have
been received which lead to the conclusion
that the silver vote will reach 6ll, and it
is confidently believed that the display Of
SO much strength will bring the few other
votes necessary to give the required two
thirds. These figures are independent Of
contests. The states which are counted
upon to yield the increase are Maine,
Maryland Michigan and Florida.