The Elbert County tribune., 1900-07-12

Kansas City, July 4--AnlH sceheS Va
tumultous enthusiasm betting such an
event and such day, the Democratic
national convention began its sessions
to-day. But after sitting until late
hour tonight, the expected climax of
the day-the nomination OF William ).
Bryan ns the Democratic candidate for
President-has failed of realization,
and all of the large business or tue
convention awaits the completion OF
the platform.
As spectacular event, however, the
convention has fulfilled the hopes OF
the most fervld party man, for the vast
assemblage of spectators and delegates
has twice been swept with whlrlwlnu
demonstrations, first for the leader VINO
is about to be placed in nomination,
and then for that other champion OIL
Democracy, David B. Hill. But in ac-
tual accomplishment the days work Is
confined TO organization, with the
speeches of the temporary chairman
Governor Thomas of Colorado, and the
permanent chairman, Hon. james ID.
Richardson. the appointment of the va
rious committees and the detailed pre-
parations for the more serious work
yet in store.
The contest over the question OF the
monetary ratio. which has been brew
ing ever since the delegates to the CON
ventlon began to assemble, founu eA-
preston in the committee on resoiu-
tons when II assembled to-day. Sen
ator Jones of Arkansas was unanl-
mously chosen chairman and Mr.. Met
calf of Nebraska secretary.
Mr.. Metcalf presented the draft OF Il
platform, covering all questions OF pup
lie Interest, which draft all the mem
bers accepted as Mr., Rryan's express
sion upon this questics- Mr Glrard OF
Georgia also presented platform as
did Mr. Van Wyck of New York. All
took practically the same ground on
all questions except that of the
finances
Mr.. Metcalfs declaration was for the
rcaflirmation of the Chicago platform
In letter and spirit and 1t emphasized
and reiterated. specifically the declara-
tion for the free coinage of silver at
the ratio of 10 to ]. Both the other
drafts simply reaffirmed the Chicago
platform, without reference to Che ra-
to-
The reading of Mr. Van Wyck's doc
ument brought MI. Ball of Texas to
his feet with the suggestion that the
financial question should be immedi-
ately taken up ana passed upon. He
said 1t was apparent to all there was
no division upon any other platform
question and that with the financial
the remainder of She platform would
be merely n matter of clerical work.
This suggestion sas adopted. and the
committee lmme ,llately entered upon
the effort to settle the question Of ratio.
Mr.. Van WycS led Off with a brief
statement saying that while in his plat
form he had referred to four issues
as prominent. namely, those of imper-
ialism, militar' sm, trusts and the fl
nances. he considered that only three
of these Were Df current consequence,
believing the n oney question had been
crowded into the background by other
subjects which bad pressed 10 the front
during the last four years.
Senator Daniel of Virginia, some
what to the surprise of some members
of the committee. followed Mr.. Van
Wyck In support of his views of the
question. The renator said that no man
who knew him would doubt for n min
ute that he nDw stood where he had
stood on the silver question in '96, and
he entertained precisely the same
views on this subject which then con-
trolled him. lie was, however, anx-
ious to bring back into the fold of the
party those WHO had left 1t four years
ago on accoUnt Of the position taken
ON the silver Question. and If this could
be accomplished. as he believed it
could be. by pmitting all reference
whatever to the ratio. he, for one, was
content to pursue that course, simply
reaffirming tire Chicago platform.
Mr.. Fitzgerald of Colorado followed
in warm sIeech. denounclng in most
.t...
mize the inaheial question. He assert
ed that the omission of declaration
on ratio of the two metals would be n
mere evasion and concealment; that
such evasion would not get any one or
catch any OF the gold-standard people
whom ii war meant to eutrap. Ii was
only meant TO be construed as a silver
plank in one section of the country, and
an anti-sllvtr plank in another. Such
n course as thls would fail to satisfy
the people OF all sections.
If" he slid. "Mr. Bryan is good
enough platform, then the platform ap-
proved by HIM should be good enough"
He declared it was essential that
there should be a declaration for the
ratio in cle5r and unmistakable terms,
and he followed this up with the asser-
ton that II such declaration was not
as n doubtful state. with prospect of
not only cesting its electoral vote for
Mckinley IS president. but of sending
Mr.. Wolcott back to the United States
Senate.
George Fred Williams of Massachu-
sets also made spirited argument for
a specific declaration on the question
of ratio.
He asserted that the Democratic par
ty had become new party since 1t had
Incorporated the financial question In
its declara lion OF principles. 1t had be-
come n virlle and live party since 1896.
and this fact was due solely to the cir
cumstancts that the money question,
which was the question of the people,
had been made the paramount issue.
Representative Newlands of Nevada
declared in favor of a specific declara-
ton for 10 to l. Ex-Governor Stone of
Missouri Indicated that his judgment
was opposed TO specific declaration
for 10 to |, but he said IL was evident
that Mr.. Bryan was favorable to such
a declara don and he would. therefore,
support the proposition. Mr.. Bald
representative Of Sc-ator German of
Maryland, esp0used she silver cause,
He said he hoped Maryland would be
found in the Democratic column this
fall under any circum stances. bu' that
with 10 to l eliminated he was sure
1t would be there.
Senator Rawiins OF Utah was favor
able to 10 to ] pronofincement, but did
not contend for II as absolutely essen
tial. Gibbons of Florida and BlaclSman
of Louisiana supported the conserya.
tive view.
Finally at $50 a. m. the platform
committee. by vote of &c to %, agreed
upon the financial plank. sub
stituting a 1G to l declaration for Il
simple reaifirmation of the Chicago
platform: