Evening journal., 1896-07-09
CONVENTION IN DETAIL.
Seating OF Michigan silver Delegates Gives
White Metal Two-thlrds Majority.

White Metal Two-thlrds Majority.
CHICAGO July 9-The second session
OF the Democratic national convention was
n scene Of intense excitement and at times
OF widest confusion. The convention was
called to order by Temporary Chairman
Daniel end routine announcements were
made. The report of the committee on Gre
dentials was called, but was not ready to
report During the time the convention
was waiting for the committees report
speeches were made by various delegates.
Ex-Governor Hogg Of Texas was the
first speaker to whom the convention lis
tened. He said that Republican oorrup-
ton fund is being formed TO carry Illi-
nois, Ohio and other states. He denounced
the Republican financial platform
When Hogg finished, there were loud
cries for Blackburn, for Hill and Altgeld
amid much confusion.
Senator Money moved TO recognize Sen.
ator Blackburn. Senator Blackburn went
TO the platform amid great cheering and
delivered q fiery free silver speech, in the
course of which he said:
"Christ drove from the temple better
set Of men than those who have ruled the
finances Of the country for 20 years. "
David OverInyer Of Kansas was called
TO the platform and told the convention
that by the action of this convention the
seat of empire was transferred from the
Atlantic seaboard to the Mississippi val
ley
Altgeld Addresses the Convention.
Governor Altgeld mounted chair and
moved that Senator Hill be permitted to
address the delegates, but the senator was
not In the ball A motion to adjourn for 30
minutes was defeated Altgeld said that
he did not come here to make speeches,
but TO help formulate policy for the ben
eft Of the American people. There was
such a demonstration, however, that he
got down from his chair and proceeded to
the platform. He said nearly everything
is under mortgage, from farms to the sew
ing machines Of seamstresses, and all In the
interest of English money lenders. Re
lief, he said, was expected from action in
this convention
Many persons, he declared professed TO
love their country and still are doing ov-
erything possible for the English capital
lists and helping to make our producers
mere vassals He referred to the gold Dem
oorats as wanting TO put halters on Amer
leans IN favor Of English money lenders,
and asked II they viii be allowed TO do It,
Cries Of mo, nor' came from all over
the convention.
His statement that the gold standard
has lowered prices Of farm products while
the farmer has had to pay more for what
he had to buy was loudly applauded.
Altgeld closed amid the widest onthu-
slasm, and George Fred Williams of Massa-
ohusetts recent convert 20 silver, fol
lowed. He was well received, and at the
conclusion OF his speech the partial report
OF the credentials committee. covering all
contests except those from Michigan was
presented TO the convention.
On motion Of Governor Altgeld the con-
yention then took recess, as the chair.
man had been informed that the commit
tee on credentials was not yet able to make
its full report
The Michigan Contest.
Upon the reassembling of the oonven-
tion Chairman Daniel announced that the
committee on credentials was ready to re-
port. The reading clerk then read the re-
port seating four silver district delegates
from Michigan, which changed the com,
plexion of the delegation under the rule
from gold to silver. There was considera-
bic applause among the silver men on the
floor Ex-Congressman John c. Crosby OF
Massachusetts,, on behalf of the MINORITY
OF the committee, took the stage and ear
nestly protested against the decision of the
majority. he spoke, he said, In behalf OF
10 states. He said:
representing lS states In this conven-
| tlon, desire to move an amendment to
| the report OF the committee which has
been submitted to this convention !
move, sir, that the delegation from the
Fourth district and the Ninth district be
entitled to keep the seats which they now
occupy"
In conclusion of vigorous speech he
said:
"Now, Mr. Chairman all we want is
fair and decent treatment at your hands.
We do not attempt OF desire TO overrule
the majority here, but we do wish to have
/ fair and just discussion and considera.
tion of this matter and so l move that
this amendment may be adopted and
trust that the honest sentiment Of the
convention will give to those sitting dele
gates the seats which they now occupy"
Whom Nj Crosby had completed a brief
review Of the merits Of the case, John II.
Brennan, Wisconsin gold delegate, fol-
lowed with another protest.
Mr.. Brennan had good stage presence
ohN a OAubhf ctLohH NuiCt anu was gwen y
respectful hearing. He warned the con
vontion OF the danger involved In this de
olsion. The gold men in the gallorie.
cheered him Justify when he appealed t
the honesty and fairness Of the silver dele
gates.
Delegate f. M Taylor Of Arkansas de
Tended the course OF the majority Of tn,
committed, and. his applause came nor,
from tho pit than the galleries He de
clared that the seating Of the gold delega
tion from Michigan was most outrage
Gus wrong, which the convention should
right
Convention In an Uproar.
Governor McLaurin Of Mississippi ais,
came to the defense of the committee II,
made a careful review of the facts to show
that the will Of the Democrats of Michigan
did not prevail in the state convention
-Four hundred and twenty-four of the IS;
delegates TO the convention, he said, wer,
instructed for free silver He described
the alleged methods pursued by the ad
ministration's agents TO override this ex
pressed Will Of the people and declared
that they were under Instructions TO carry
Michigan for gold and the administra
| ton. -
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