The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-16
Latter Is Chairman Of the State Conn
mittee and Represents a Small
Minority of HIS Party.
COLORADO DENIS FOR SILVER
THEY WANT UNLIMITED DOLLARS
TO BE FULL LEGAL TENDER.
state Convention Adjourns. After
Electing Delegate, to See Senator
TflIman WELD HIS Pftchforlk.

.
missioner Nicholas NJ. Bell, free silver dele
gate from St. Louis. throwing a glass of
water in the face of Charles o. Msffitt.
chairman of the Democratic State central
committee was an exciting incident In to-
days State Democratic convention. The
act was done as Maffitt leaned over the
PLATFORM to address Bell. who had ad-
vanced toward him from the body of the
hall. Temporary Chairman Hatch stepped
between them and prevented a further show
Of hcstilities. and Maffitt retreated. with the
water dripping from his clothes and face.
The episode occurred to-day during the
heat OF fight for the recognition OF Lion-
berger, st. Louis gold delegate, as men,
ber Of the resolutions committee. Bel had
unavailingly sought recognition Of the
Chair, and finally advanced toward the plat
form. His discussion with Maffitt resulted
in the latter exclaiming: "I1l warm your
jacket in little While" Shortly thereafter,
Bell got the ear of the Chair and began
free silver speech. He had spoken a few
moments and reached for glass of water.
AS he did so Maffitt again leaned over the
platform, and, addressing Bell, said some
thing that ended with the word turn
coat" No sooner had the words left Maj
fitt's lips than Bell dashed the contents Of
the full glass In the chairman's face.
The convention was called for the purpose
OF nominating thirty-four delegates to the
Chicago national convention this morning
1t was the largest State party convention
held in the history of Missouri. Before the
convention convened the different congress
sional district delegations met in caucus
and selected two delegates and two elter-
mates each to the national convention.
These were later passed on by the conven-
tion- AS fully IS per cent. of all delegates
sent to the State convention were instructed
for free silver at 16 to !, practically no
opposition was made to the caucus selec-
tions. Chairman Maffitt raped the con-
yention to order at 1880. Ex-Congressman
William II. Hatch was announced as tenn
porary chairman When Mr.. Hatch step
ped forward TO make his speech he was
granted an ovation. He made a spirited ad-
dress throughout, and it's delivery was
cheered long and loud. The mention of Mr..
and faithful Democrats brought forth a
flood of applause and cheers.
During the progress of temporary organza-
1nd al9n the - two Kansas a 3 City delegations were
the recognition OF the st. Louis delegates as
members of the resolutions committee ensued
candidate and member of the Stone dele
| gation, got the floor and made spirited free
silver speech. and the white metal adherenI
| was drowned with cheers and howls for rec
| ognition OF gold men,. 1t was soon after this
that the water-throwing incident. mentioned
above, occurred. AT $50 recess was taken
but not until $40 did the convention recon.
| vene. The credentials committee then. afte,
hard fight of four hours, reported in favor
| egation, decided victory for Governor Stone
Tne faction commanded by Francis and Shell.
| ley were shut out.
Permanent organization was then effected
M. f. Bellon of Newton county being elected
| permanent chairman. The report of the com
mittes @ on resolutions was then read. The
| I've further hold that the paramount issue
now before the people of the United States
| by this country, and upon this issue we de
clare that the federal Constitution name.
silver and gold together as the money metal.
quires that the party of the people Continue
the battle for bimetallism until its efforts ar.
TSsf w be l.
unlimited coinage Of silver and gold into pri
m mary or redemption money at the ratio o.
rdSo 10 TO ! without waiting for the action or ap
provai OF any other gov vernment.
Of bonds Of the t9a Hate
States in times OF peace, and especially ar,
| we opposed to placing the treasury of th,
| government under the control of any syndi
cate Of bankers, and the issuance OF bonds K
purpose. of supplying the federal treastr,
with gold to maintain the policy of gold mon
OIIltldllSm.
| Senators Cockrell and Vest were indorsed
The convention was quite stormy at times
| and the speakers were several times hissed
The resolutions were signed by every mem.
Der of the committee save Ilonberger OF
st. Louis, the lone gold delegate. The silveI
plank was enthusiastically appauded as
were the references to Vest CockrelI and
| Stone. With but slight objection. the plat
| form was adopted amid howls of delight
| Governor Stone then set the Convention ffirt
| by presenting resolution nominating Rich
| ard p. Bland delegate at large to Chicago
| as the foremost advocate OF the white metal
| Continuing, he paid a glowing tribute tc
Band. mentioning him as the logical presi
| Dental candidate of the party Pandemon.
iurn reigned and the resolution was adopted
by rising vote. Bland immediate arose
| declared 1t would be impossible for him Il
serve as delegate at large and declined the
| honor. Nominations for delegates were ther
| in order. The rules were suspended anf
| Senator Vest and Cockrell and Goyernoq
| Stone were unanimously elected delegates at
| large. Ex-Mayor George w. Allen. ST
| Louis, was elected on the second ballot.
One OF the bitterest fights of the conven.
| tion came as the closing act of the gather.
| ing. 1t arose when G.. c. Maffitt of st
| Louis. the goldbug leader of the State was
nominated for delegate from the Twelfth
| district. The convention divided, Butler
sides, respectively. for and against Maffitd
and making the hottest speeches of the day
For a time a split seemed certain The
| roll was called Maffitt was turned down or
| the vote, and George r. Gregory OF ST
| Louis, was nominated In his stead. st
| Louis refused to vote on the question A,
| 1910 a. m. the convention adjourned sine