Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-24
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
The Convention Has Again to Do
without Prayer.


without Prayer.
ST. LOUIS. MO. July 2s.-The National
Silver Convention was called to order
at 12:27 O'Clock by Chairman st. John.
He stated that Rev. John Nichols, who
had been asked TO open the proceedings
with prayer, had been called from the
city, and therefore the convention would
not have the pleasure of listening to
him. II trust we are all in spirit Of
prayer" affirmative applauseD
Mr. Newlands. of Nevada, stated that
he understood the expenses OF the con-
yer tion had not been provided fcr and
moved that a Committee on Ways and
Means be appointed to provide the nee
essary funds Agreed to.
Chairman st. John then introduced to
the convention its vice-chairman, Hon
Charles A. Towne. Of Minnesota. He
was received with great applause. He
said that the condition OF the country
was most grave IL had been brought
about, he said. in pursuance of a plan
which had for its purpose 10 make II
appear as the result of an orderly and
lawful evolution. He stated that patriot
ism had been almost forgotten. Glory
had been narrowed to success; money had
become a god. (Applause.) 'Bpt the
day Of regeneration is at hand. (Chsers)
We are in the very vortex OF events.
We are making American history to-day.
The American people are serving notice
that they are about to take charge OF
their own affairs" Great applause.)
Mr. Towne's allusion TO the Grand Old
Man of Colorado set the convention On
its legs in a tumult of applause. A vast
majority OF the Democratic convention
at Chicago, he said. was in favor Of
free silver. Fortunate Democracy, thus
to become the heir Of this great regene-
ration. Happy Democrat, to find himself
thus in possession of the results OF the
great movement without having labored
for years in its behalf. and without being
compelled to forego the amiable preju-
dices of party affiliations" LApplause.)
TRIBUTE TO BRYAN.
Mr.. Towne paid a glowing tribute to
the worth, character, and abilities of Mr.
Bryan. saying that his nomination de-
monstrated the truth of the statement
that in the affairs of Providence there
are no accidents.
Bryan represents All idea: he stands
for a cause.-the cause Of humanity
against injustice-the cause OF the masses
against the classes" (Applausel
No rest in the campaign was TO be
known by the cohorts OF silver Mr.
Towne said, until the banners OF victory
had been planted upon every outpost OF
the enemy He VINO three months ago
had predicted that victory for free silver
was possible in 1896 would have been
set down for an enthusiastic dreamer
Now IL was not only possible. but abso-
lutely certain. Mr. Towne pleaded with
the convention TO make no mistake, bui
to ever hold the cause above all Things
else. and he closed with an eloquent
perOration.
Calls were made for Governor Stone
Of Missouri. and w. H. C"Coin) Harvey
hut neither was in the hall. Ex-Governor
J. p ST John, of Kansas. responded TO
the demands for a speech, ana greatly
entertained the delegates.
He said no such political revoluuon nae
eyer been known in America as thai
which followed the adoption OF the plat
form by the Republican convention. IhF
victory was already won. ne assured his
hearers. There were but two dangers 70
be feared-over-co and the use Oh
Doodle by the gold power.
MRS. COUGAR.
Mrs. Helen NJ Cougar. OF Indiana, al
dressed the convention. stating in opening
that she supposed this was not the nrs'
time the gentlemen present mad oeeh
talked 10 by woman on the subject o.
finance. Oaughter0
Mrs. Cougar told a story. to ILLUSTRATE
the money question from woman st"i,u
point. and charged that breweries and CHS
tileries. nine-tenths of which in TINS
country are owned by British capi'ai,
were doing more than all else combined
10 degrade American citizenship. homes
and industries. She maintained that never
since the day Of Belshazzars feast hai
there been more drunkenness known tnaH
- laA
fore the Republican convention adopted
its platform last month.
In closing, Mrs. Cougar took charge OF
the convention. and calling on the band
to strike up America" asked the audi
ence 20 join in singing that grand ola
hymn There were but few in the haii'
however. who could sing more than me
first verse.
Vice-Chairman Towne took the chair al
this point Chairman ST. John tempo
rarlly retiring. delegate from ILLINOIS
moved that at the next session OF the
convention the delegations be polled 10
show what proportion OF tpe delegates
were formerly Republicans. the purpose
being. ne said. to emphasize 10 those 70
the convention the extent OF the revolt IN
that Marty against the infamous gold
standard. The motion was agreed TO with
great unanimity.
"TRrBUNEss OF THE PEOPLE"
Mr.. Towne announced that Mrs. Mary
Lease that s'tribuness OF the people,
would address the convention this eve
ing: also. that the subcommittee on reso-
lutions had notified him that they We're
not yet ready 10 report. and that meet
ing OF the full committee would be neid
one hour after taking recess.
The following resolution was proposed
by Judge J. G. Hlllyer, OF Washington
ID. c., for the consideration Of the dele
gates during recess
Resolved, THAT in the present situation
this organization logically In the coming
campaign must be the peculiar representa-
tive OF independent free-silver Republic
CONCLUDED ON SIXTH PACED