Kansas City daily journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1892-1897, 1897-01-09

sensation of the evening when he. Iii the
best speech SO far OF the meeting, nomi-
mated William J. Stone When he called
the name. mighty cheer went up from
the gallery. and many of the members
Joined in. Frost, c. Newton, seconded the
nomination.
Speaker Farris then took the floor and.
after a simple and splendid eulogy of both
Vest and Stone, stated that he was posi-
tive Stone was not a candidate He then
withdrew the governors name and moved
that Vests nomination be made unani-
nous.
In an instant. Senator Goodykoontz was
on his feet and told the caucus what he
thought.
II am not in full accord with Senator
Vest, he said. We have sufficiently hon
ored him. Twelve years ago I sat in this
hall and considered II an I.ouor TO vote
for him. II i'll becomes the gentleman from
Laclede iFarriS) to try ANA keep other men
from being nominated. l came mere Tor
fair play"
storm was brewing that by no means
suited either Vests or stones friends, and
Farris hastily withdrew his motion.
Spofford. of Jackson, asked by what au-
thority the member from Polk placed Gov
ernor Stone In nomination.
BY the authority OF the Democracy of
Polk county. came back the quick re-
sponEe. fApplause.D
Crisp of jackson, also insisted that Gov
ernor Stone was not a candidate Ihe
wordy colonel then INDUCED in Il beautiful
case Of erawfish by throwing large ana
wonderfully metaphoric bouquets at sen
ator Vest. After starting tight upon him
last Wednesday night, this change of front
looked a bit queer He begged Member
Washburn to withdraw stones name.
He was followed 10y Spofford, Of Kansas
City. who made the same plea. NashDurn
arose to speak. but was interrupted oy
Crisp. who again begged that Governor
Stones name be withdraw E-that the gov
ernor be not humiliated by appearing be
fore the world as a candidate NashDufh
The roll call was then ordered. to. vote
upon the only candidate. Senator vest.
When Member Washburn's name was
reached. there was a hush of expectancy.
The member. true 10 his countyS instruc-
tions, voted for Stone. The rollcall re-
suited:
Senators for Vest, Is; members for Vest,
81: for Stone, ].
caucus nominee to the hall. He was wait
ing in nearby ante room. Just as Sena-
tor Vest and the committee was entering
the room. Whitecotton. OF Monroe, moved
that the members of the caucus rise TO
their feet.
''Nor' cried Colonel Crisp "a Demo-
cratic caucus should not rise to its feet
for any man."
The motion was never put. for the little
giant" was among his countrymen. For
the first time since his arrival, Senator
Vest received something like a demonstra-
tion as he mounted the speakers platform.
Also for the first time there was smile
upon the senator's face since his arrival
in Jefferson City, several days ago The
senator spoke in rather clear voice. He
heard little enthusiasm until he began to
talk of the time honored subject, free sill
yer.
Senator Vest said, in part:
TO adequately express my thanks to
you, my friends, would bankrupt my com
nand Of language. / am not vain enough
10 suppose that this Is a personal tribute.
II is a recognition of the great principles
for which we fighting.
There has never been. in the history of
the country, crisis more emphatic than
the one now Not even during the civil
war was there greater tension and strain
on the sDirits of our institutions. All the
burdens and benefits of the country must
De equally distributed. There should be no
class legislation, where the few are en-
riched al the expense of many
There is to-day q most sublime oppor-
tuni.y TO make an adaptation of this great
truth. Within our shores there is strife
for self-goyernment. We are told now.
called (aDplauseJ, that the people of Cuba
shalt not be declared free. because they
name Of armies. II France had acted in In
that. way, we to-day would be British
province and / would be a subject of a
queen. Are we to forget the people of
Cuba. who are initiating us For myself.
] propose to give all the influence I can
COR mand for the recognition OF Cuba"
Senator Vest then spoke at extreme
length upon the money question, white the
free silver enthusiasts, shouted their APP
proval. He foretoId double standard vic
Il stand tonight for the last time he
said. receiving an office at the hands of
my countrymen. realize that the time
will soon COME when we older ones will
have TO stand aside for younger blood. In
this hall. surrounded by the memory of
dead friends. l can tell nothing but the
truth. When have discharged all the du-
ties that the present legislature has placed
upon me. / shall have done my duty. L
know of no assurance for the future but to
point to my career I'm the past. When the
shadows have gathered, my prayer is that
my last lingering glance shall be upon a
country great. united eternal in its free
institutions. and, in the great galaxy. the
star that shines most brightly is our great
Missouri" (Applause)
The caucus adjourned at 1920 D. m