Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-08
THE SLATE IS A SURPRISE
Senator White of California to
Be Permanent Chairman.
C0GAN OF OHIO SECRETA
Thought Not Advisable to Have Both Chair
men From the South.
WHEREFORE Mr.. HARRIS WAS PASSED BY
sergeant-at-Arms Martin Comes IN for
Sharp Criticism, and Minority Re-
port May Recommend His
Removal.

CnicdBOs ILL.,, july line committee on
permanent organization met in the room
provided for them in the Coliseum build
ing after the adjournment of the conven-
tion.
Gen. E. B. Finley of Ohio was elected
/ chairman, J. p. Brown of Georgia secre-
tary and DR.. w. E. Webb of Missouri
sergeant-at-arms. After the organiza-
tion of the committee had been effected
1t was supposed that action would be
taken upon the selection of the perma-
nent officers of the convention. 1t was
the intention of the silver men to at once
act upon the permanent craftsmanship of
the convention, and they expected some
one representing the silver leaders to be
there to indicate what was desired to be
done. This did not turn out to be the
case, however, and some of the gold men
urged that the vote be at once taken. The
silver men feared that this was a case of
the Greeks bearing gifts, and moved a
recess of five minutes, during which they
retired to themselves and held a short
caucus. Senators Harris and White and
Ex-Congressman Bryan We're talked of.
A committee of five members, consisting
of Mr.. George c. Gilbert of Kentucky,
Mr. j. e. Fenton of Washington, Mr..
James V. Coleman of California, Mr.. e.
w. Carmack Of Tennessee and Mr.. John
M. Duncan of Texas, was appointed to
confer with the silver leaders and the bi-
metallic league for the purpose of select
ing the proper chairman and guiding the
silver men of the full committee.
IT was decided that recess until even
ing be taken. Accordingly when the COM
mittee resumed its session a motion to
adjourn until p m. was put and carried.
The subcommittee held a consultation
with the silver leaders, and slate was
res,fv when the full committee reassem-
bled at the Sherman house at O'clock.
When the committee reassembled at
o'clock the slate, which 1t was understood
had been prepared, was all ready and was
q surprise. Instead of the veteran, Isham
g. Harris of Tennessee, who had been
conceded to be the probable choice, Sena-
tor Stephen M. White of California was
substituted. The only reason mentioned
informally for the change was that men,
bers thought 1t undesirable to have both
the presiding officers from the southern
states
George C. Gilbert of Kentucky placed
Senator Whites name in nomination and
briefly presented his special qualifica-
tions for the office. -.-r
Gordon Wood Of New Hampshire NOV
ed to make Senator Hill of New York the
choice of the committee. A roll call was
taken and the vote resulted in the selec-
ton of Senator White-33 toe.
The six states which voted for Senator
w
Maryland, New Hampshire, Pennsylva-
mia and New Jersey.
A significant feature of the meeting
was the absence of Frederic r. Coudert,
representing New York, and James Adds
of Connecticut Four other states and
territories were not represented.
Hon. William j. Bryan of Nebraska
was in the committee room some time
and there was considerable talk in his
absence about making him the perma-
nent presiding officer of the convention
AT the suggestion of his friends, how
ever his name was not presented for the
reason that he might be a candidate for
president before the convention.
Thomas ]. Cogan of Cincinnati was
the choice of the committee for secretary
of the convention. This office was sup
posed to have been picked out for Major
Towles, the aged, but energetic, secre-
tary of the bimetallic committee but he
did not muster enough votes at the time
when they counted.
Sergeant-at-Arms Martin was the OBJ
ject Of some sharp criticism, and an eff
fort was made by half a dozen radical
silver members whose names were with
held, to turn him down and recommend
another person for permanent sergeant
atarms. The six men SO voted when the
question took the form of a resolution,
and when they were defeated 1t was an
nounced that they reserved the right to
bring in a minority report recommending
the removal of Colonel Martin.
The chief complaint is that Colonel Mar
tin did not prove himself capable of ham
ding the convention efficiently, either be-
fore or after the convention today, and
tha 5000 empty seats were partly the re-
suits of his peculiar methods and
theories.
X. F. Gordon of Iowa, James Adds of
Connecticut and James ". Coleman of
California were appointed committee to
notify Senator White of his selection.
The following were also chosen conven-
tion officers: L. D. Hirscheimer, Chicago,
first assistant secretary; Jeff Pollard of
Missouri, assistant reading secretary; q.
B. Wade of Tennessee, reading clerk; Nat
r. Walker of Florida, assistant reading
clerk