The record-union., 1896-04-16

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by Congressional Districts. The call
showed that the only sound money"
delegates were from ST Louis, and the
convention began an animated discus
sion as to whether their credentials
should be recognized.
After the appointment of the usual
committees the convention took a recess
until 2:30 p. m.
While the Committee on Resolutions
was being appointed one of the most
sensational scenes ever witnessed on a
public platform was enacted. Of the
fifteen members of the committee, 1Saac
H. Lionberger of ST. Louis was found to
he a gold bug. On a motion that the
committee be ratified by investigation,
Delegates Lionberger, Dewey and Frost
pleaded for the formers recognition.
Delegate Dewey read a long instru-
ment in behalf of Lionberger. He
warned the convention that it could not
afford to trample upon the minority.
IIe warned them that they could not af-
ford to lose many more Democratic
votes.
A storm Of misses followed his implied
threat. Cat-calls echoed and re-echoed
all over the house.
During the scene a dozen men were on
their feet. Colonel Nicholas M. Bell was
among them. He demanded to be al
lowed to be heard.
Chairman Maffitt who was sitting
or the stage during Bells efforts to be
heard, yelled "Sit down."
''Oh, you keep COOL" Bell shouted
back.
Maflitt shook his fist at the silver
leader and said, You turncoat, you"
In an impassioned speech Colonel
Bell explained the manner in which the
free silver Democrats were elected in
st. Louis. From his view of the case
Delegate Lionberger had no right on
the committee.
Just after Mr. Bell finished speaking
he stepped up among the press tables
to get a glass of water. Maffitt walked
over to the edge of the platform and
leaning over said something to him.
Colonel Bell had the glass in his hand
full of water. He emptied it in Maffitt's 8
face. The latter said nothing, but
wiped his face with his handkerchief
and moved back. Some of the water
hit Chairman Hatch and Secretary Pol
scene Bell left the hall.
The convention reassembled at 4:1o
p. m. A number of resolutions of in
struction to the Platform Committee
were offered but the Chair ruled that
they could not be offered regularly until
a permanent organization was effected.
Short addresses were made by silver
tongued" orators.
At $50 O'Clock the Committee on Gre
dentials had not agreed and asked for
more time, and another recess was had
until Z p. m.
After waiting some time after that
hour the Committee on Credentials was
reported ready and DR.. Shields of Han
nibal read the report The only con-
tests were in the Fifth and Tenth dis
tricts. A division on the st. Louis con-
test was called for, the Eleventh and
Twelfth districts voting solidly against
the report, but the members of that del
egation had been denominated god
bugs" and that settled their fate.
The Committee on Organization and
Order of Business reported the following
permanent organization: Permanent
Chairman, NJ. E. Benton, Neosho; Sec
retary, S. B. Cook, Mexico; Reading
Secretary, J. w. Pollard; Assistants
W. II. Mansur, J. H. Kellaher, ]. *.
Boone, Thomas H. Whitaker, Charles
Norcutt, c. ]. Rallen; Sergeant-at-
Arms, T. o. Haley; Doorkeeper L. D..
Gordon.
1t was 1870 O'Clock before the con
vention got down to work and the re-
port of the Committee on Resolutions
roo1u Than Thomas Cha clS laf
Chairman of the committee, appeared
and said their report had been signe1
by every member but one, Lionberger of
st Louis.
The committee stood IA to l for the
platform. After treating Of State mat
ters and upholding the State admin
istration it took up the financial ques-
ton. That plank is as follows:
1--WE further hold that the paramount
issue now before the people of the
United States relates to the monetary
system to be adopted by this country
and upon that issue we declare that the
Federal Constitution names silver and
gold together as the money metal of the
United States. Duty to the people re-
quires that the party of the people con-
tinue the battle for bimetallism until
it's efforts are crowned with success;
therefore be it
Resolved, That we demand the free
and unlimited coinage Of silver and gold
into primary or redemption money at
the ratio of 16 to l, without waiting for
the action or approval of any other
Government.
Resolved, That we are irrevocab1y
opposed to the substitution for metallic
money of panic-breeding corporation,
credit currency based on single
metal the supply of which is so linn
tied that it can be cornered at any time
by a few banking institutions in Europe
and America.
Resolved, That we are opposed to the
policy and practice of surrendering to
the holders of the obligations of the
United States the option reserved by
law to the Government of redeeming
such obligation in either silver or
gold coin.
Resolved, That we are opposed to the
issuing of interest bearing bonds of the
United States in times of peace, and es-
pecially are we opposed to placing the
treasury of the Government under the
control of any syndicate of bankers,
and the issuance of bonds to be sold by
them at enormous profit for the pur-
pose of supplying the Federal treasury
with gold to maintain the policy of
gold monometallism."
Governor Stone came forward at this
moment with a set of typewriter
resolutions indorsing Richard P. Bland
for President. The Governor was re-
ceived with tumultuous applause. He
read the resolutions, which set forth Mr..
BANDS services to the cause of free sill
yer. the belief that this will be the
leading issue in the national campaign,
and the personal qualities which it is