The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-06-03
Ohio Valley Bimetallic League
Meets in Louisville.
IMPORTANT RESULTS ARE EXPECTED.
a Number Of States Represented
Mention of Bryan's Name Greeted
with Cheers-An Ovation
to Ex-Gov. Altgela.

suASy luedteT, the scene OF tue gain.
ering of the white metal hosts, was
profusely decorated when the conven-
ton was called to order at 2: 80 o'clock
Wednesday afternoon. Prominent
among the delegates and visitors were
men whose words have been of national
significance, and what was lacking
numerically was seemingly supplied
by the augmented enthusiasm of those
In attendance, for when President Tar
YIN, of the Bimetallic league, began his
annual address the lower floor was only
comfortably filled, while the balcony
was only partially occupied, and the
gallery entirely deserted. The boxes
were occupied by ladies, wives and
daughters of the delegates. But as the
convention progressed the crowd in
creased until perhaps 1000 people were
In the theater.
AS to any political significance the
convention may possess or may develop
nothing can be said now, though it is
The opinion of the bimetallists that the
presence of so many of the leaders of
the cause in Louisville cannot fail to
be attended with important results.
The Opening.
The convention was called to order at
e:3o o'clock by Chairman Semonin, of
the local committee. who introduced
Mayor Weaver, of Louisville. He ex-
tended hearty welcome to the visit
Ing delegates, told them that the key
TO the city was in their possession, and
that their work would be well done if
they Endorsed Bryan for president in
1900. At the conclusion of his address,
Judge j. p. Tarvin, of Covington, KY,
president of the Bimetallic league was
introduced, and spoke at considerable
length.
a Significant Address.
His remarks were at times received
with the greatest enthusiasm, any ref
erence to a reaffirmation of the Chi
cago platform or an Endorsement of
William Jennings Bryan as the presi-
Dental nominee, being the signal for
vociferous applause. President Tar
wins speech was of more than a passing
national significance, as it presaged
what is to happen if the tenor of the
delegates assembled is a fair criterion
of the sentiment prevailing in their re-
spective districts, for when he de-
clared that bimetallism and the free
coinage of silver at the ratio of SIX
teen to one, as was enuncated in the
Chicago platform of 1896, would be the
paramount issue in the presidential
campaign of 1900, regardless of the eff
forts to have the question of trusts sup
plant it, it met with an outburst of APP
plause that indicated an overwhelming
approval of the utterances of the speak
er. 1t was evident, too, from the re-
ception of all references to the Ne
braska statesman, that resolutions
would be adopted indorsing his can
didacy for the presidential nomination,
and that incorporated in the resolution
will be reaffirmation of the principles
as outlined in the Chicago platform.
! Following Judge Tarvin, Congress-
man James NJ. Robinson, of Indiana,
made an impromptu speech. In refer
ence to the coming campaign of 1900,
the speaker said that it lay with the
democratic party to name the victor,
and that they would make great mis-
take if they did not select Bryan. The
votes which Bryan got in 1896, he said,
were only pledges on the part of the
voters to carry the standard of bimetal-
ism to triumphant finish in our next
national election. These pledges, he
said, were still fresh in the hearts of all
champions of the silver cause, and
needed no reiteration.
The convention then adjourned until
1880 p. m.
The Evening Session.
The delegates were late in reassem-
bling for the evening session and it was
after eight o'clock before the conven-
ton got down to business. President
Tarvin introduced Hon. Flavius j. Van
Vorhis. of Indianapolis, whom he said
had given 40 years of his life in defend
ing the principles as enunciated by the
republican party. The Indiana states
man was heartily cheered when he
arose to address the convention. The
speaker at once entered into discus
sion of the financial question, saying
It was the problem Of progress and of
liberty. 1t is question of the greatest
moment, he said, to the people of this
republic. He reviewed the question
from its inception, touching upon the
events which, he continued, followed
concentration of wealth. In conclu-
sion he said that the great trusts of the
country were the outgrowth of an or
ganization of shameless men who are
the greatest enemies of society. BIZ
metallism as opposed to monometal-
lism is the true salvation and the basis
on which the great political and eco
nomic questions must be settled.
r AltEeld Warmly Received.
AT the conclusion of his speech, Mr..
Van Vorhis was heartily congratulated
by many on the platform. President
Tarvin then introduced Hon. D. S. Oil
yer, of Cincinnati, who presented ex-
Gov. John P. Altgeld, of Illinois. The
greatest enthusiasm prevailed when the
Illinois statesman arose to address the
convention, the delegates rising to their
feet, waving hats and cheering Justify
until the ex-governor had to acknowl.
edge the compliment. He spoke at con-
siderable length.
While Gov. Altgeld was in the midst
Of his discourse Mr.. Bryan, who had ar
rived in the city earlier in the even
ing, reached the theater. He was adj
mitted to the stage by rear entrance
and took seat behind the flies, where
he awaited the conclusion of Mr.. Alt