Birmingham state herald., 1896-04-29
ing any convention on this occasion.

am, sir, very respectfully,
 "WM. c. OATES"
 There was not as much complaining as might have been, however. The fact is, both republican wings anticipated free fight at the door of the convention hall, or inside at any rate, and both were apparently glad of an opportunity to hold separate conventions After much searching around the McKinleyites se- cured a stuffy little place called Dor setts Coored Concert hall, the armory of the negro military company here. The anti i-McKinley contingent, after trying both theaters and being told that negroes were not permitted to enter the parquets or dress circles, and after Vainly endeav- bring to secure court room or other suitable place. adjourned to cotton warehouse.
 Mckinley Meeting.
 Judge Buckley of this city called the Mckinley meeting to order and two well groomed negroes and white man were made secretaries. A number of well known white republicans of the state were present, among them being Messrs. B. M. Long of Walker, Shields of Walker, McEniry, Hughes and Wilson of Jeffer- son, Steel of Colbert, Shields of Morgan, Guin of Lamar, Wickersham and Barker of Mobile, Fowler of St. Clair, Armstrong of Blount and Hayes of Cullman. Most of the gentlemen mentioned occupied honorary seats on the platform, where also sat full coterie of prominent black skinned delegates. damned miscellane- ously together throughout the house, some talking, some smoking and many perspiring, sat white and colored to- gether, shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart.
 MT. F. Y Fitzpatrick of Bridgeport was made temporary chairman and delivered himself of a very creditable republican speech. He roasted the Wilson bill, un- dertook to show how the republican was the poor mans party, demanded fair elections and finally reached mention of McKinley's name, when the strong lunged delegates yelled with wild delight. The chairman in concluding his speech read a telegram from Chairman Carter of the national committee saying that on- ly the majority of the state executive committee was authorized to pass on the prima facie rights of delegates to the con- yention, which was interpreted to mean that this convention was regularly called. This also was wildly applauded. Several colored delegates insisted on being all lowed to make speeches. but were promptly ruled out of order by the other colored delegates. The negroes evidently desired it understood, however, that this was their convention, and they insisted on doing most of the talking. After the appointment of committees on permanent organization, etc, the Mckinley conVen- tion adjourned for dinner.
 The McKinleyites consumed the entire afternoon and evening in passing on re- ports of the standing committees. com pleting their permanent organization at ' o'clock tonight by turning down the re- port of the committee on permanent or ganiZatio and retaining the temporary officers as permanent ones
 A voluminous platform was then.adopt- ed, containing the following salient points: It reaffirms allegiance to the car dinal principles of republicanism, protec- t,A Gnnn6 finance man liberty. It specifically opposes the free coinage of silver al the ratio of l6 to 1. It condemns the administration or Grover Cleveland and of the national gov ernment by the democratic party. as well as the issue of bonds in times of peace. It favors the early building Of the Nlca- raguan canal and it's control by this gov ernment. It condemns the democracy or Alabama for defrauding the people or their rights at the ballot box. It appeals to all people who favor reform in state matters to join in support of the ticket that change of party may be brought about in this state It favors the aboli- tion of the railroad commission; indorses and instructs the delegates to vote for William Mckinley and his interests In all matters: instructs the delegates to vote for H. Clay Evans of Tennessee for vice president. It opposes the holding in Ala ba ma of a constitutional convention.
 MT. Wells of Madison opposed the gold clause. and said the platform was exactly what Grover Cleveland and the present White House crowd would indorse. His voice was drowned, however, and the platform was adopted with practical una nimity. After several more hours wrang- ling the following four delegates at large to St Louis were selected: D. ID. shelby of Madison, c. W. Buckley of Montgom- cry, John w.. Jones (coloreD of Lowndes and Rev Pettiford (colored) of Jefferson.
 The convention is still in session at midnight not having adjourned since dinner. Gen. Joseph w. Burke of Cal houn will head the sound money state ticket, which will consist of Mckinley sound money nominee for every office.
 The Mckinley convention elected Will liam Vaughan chairman of the state com mittee The question of state ticket has not yet been taken up.
 The Anti-McKinley Convention.
 In the meantime the anti-McKinley- ties had not been idle. They got rather a late start, but their man Moseley is a great hustler, and shortly had his forces marshaled in big warehouse near the depot. There was no platform, no chairs nor tables, but dray soon brought goods box in and Chairman Moseley mounted it and called the meeting to or der. In this wing the blacks outnum- bered the whites seven to one, but the ventilation was better than in the other hall.
 Dr. Moseley roasted the governor heartily for disappointing him about se- curing the capitol and a the conclusion of his address introduced Col. c. C.. Sheets of Decatur as the temporary chairman. ColcneI Sheets is a first-class speaker He also abused the governor and this led him into abuse of the dem ocratic party generally. He said he was fo,. auyti,ino. to bpat the democratic par-