The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-07-09
SILVER CONFERENCE.
Dissatisfied With the Selection of Hill
for Temporary Chairman

Chicago, July 6.--The silver men were
not prepared for the announcement of
the selection of Senator Hill for the posi-
ton of temporary chairman by the ma
tional committee They had counted
confidently upon securing the co-opera-
ton of Il sufficient number of gold men
of the committee to secure the recon-
mendation of Senator Daniel The sill
Yer committee. consisting of representa-
tiyes of the various delegations. met at
the sherman House early in the day and
decided to leave the selection of tenn
porary chairman to the silver members
OF the national committee, with the
understanding that if they did not SUE
coed in securing the recommendation of
the committee for Il silver man the silver
members of the national committee were
TO make Il minority report suggesting Il
man to he supported by all silver dele
gates. There was also n canvass of the
position of the various silver delegations
on the subject of n general caucus. but
the fact appearing that the members of
the committee had not been sufficiently
instructed on the point, the committee
adjourned until night without taking ac-
ton in order to allow Il further canvass
of the various silver delegations on this
question.
1t appears from n vote taken that
there were 432 delegates represented in
the conference, but that only POS of them
had indicated their preference on the adj
visibility of Il caucus. OF these lbs
were for the caucus and so opposed TO il.
Governor Altgeld suggested that #
caucus should be held, there should be
an understanding that no speeches he
made.
Until the committee held its first meet
ing members We're congratulating them
selves upon the probability of the selee-
ton of Senator Daniel. When they met
again in the evening they showed plainly
that they were disappointed, but they
were not noticeably discouraged. They
asserted more positively than ever their
determination to secure control of tha
temporary organization, regardless of the
action of the committee. They took the
position that the result was secured by
open intimidation. The interview be-
tween Mr.. Whitney and Committeeman
Norris of the District of Columbia was
referred to as Il specimen of Jhe gold
mems tactics. and it was stated in the,
meeting that Mr. Whitney, had even
threatened to ruin Mr.. Norris in his
business if he should persist in his deter
mination to support Il silver man for
chairman.
The plan of the silver men will now be-
to have report prepared by the minority
of the committee presenting their choice.
for the position and to seat him ut ak
hazards, if it appears that Il majority
of the convention is with him. as they
are sure ii will be.
The meeting was attended by repre-.
sentatives from twenty-siX states, all of
whom reported that their delegations.
were prepared to follow the instructions
of the leaders designated by the com
mittee in every move they might make.
1t developed that it was the plan of
the committee to select men to make alb
the important motions which, it is con
templated, may he necessary in the con-,
vention. and none but those shall be o
supported by the silver men.
The night session was devoted almost
exclusively to the subject of the tempo
rary chairmanship. The spirit which
pervaded the meeting was decidedly pug
nacious and the silver men decided to
put forth their utmost endenvors to score
II signal winning.
On motion of Mr.. O'Donnell of Colo
RADIO. the roll was called to determine.
whether a majority of the delegates We're
represented at the meeting. The call de-
veloped the fact that those present had
authority to pledge 40 delegates. This
is bare majority, and the committee inn
mediately decided it was too close for
comfort. They therefore resolved that
the situation was such as to demand inn
mediate action to secure assurance of
prpn fer suDDort and nhout ona-third of
fbe members nresent wore ot 10 o'clocl,
onnointed n subcommittee In visit the
absent delepations and secure further
pledges. They Immediately started out
In carriages to scour the town
The silver mon did not ottomnt 10 oo,.
ceal the fact that tbev We're somewhnt
choprined over tbe fact tbat tbare ,, mas
NOT n better show Tbev wop, ,1 nnt , w"s
foss that thoir foroo mus M1a,u noa con
but they were inclinod 70 comnIa;n tha,
their committeeman had nor been as
1noiore and indmstriom. 20 tha' ',;,,h,
have benn W. '"'' '-''e"'
Tbo committoo onnointod 20 y;uit 70
coIcitront dnie"otionil n,aIo Ma, rn,,ndg
with craot disnotcb and ,ot,,rnnd IN iass
Than IN borr rannrt;n, tbat ~, - Id
nollod some of thn m,;ss;m% mo d LI t; nu
md Ind socurod tbn 9,,,n,,o ntoo "f
snfi;c;nnt nnohou 20 ~" s,,,om r., totai ="
no Tbov aiuo ototod d" ,G nt i H. ao,ns
co COS tbau Sod " m"t Ioa, i lna ~ r ~ so
octnol MN h,,t tha, aD'L w. ',"n s,,,an
bv nam pb Of da,ooo t;au oevm ''' 49,.
s Do ttat III VI ueieEa'iVns VINO were
last 5ao '" Th;. mo ,;. De vote or az
yas ont;rol,, H ;ma e9.'ri was s.ateuT
and d;d nnt I, o ln.epenuen. ~ cpntestse
They stiil c,n;,,, oo ,' enS o.ner ueieg"tes-
TIa fnll o,ni,, or roso IUH ro'eS' ,
monslv 'o odontnd. reSoiu'ioh was uhahi-