The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-07
THE SILVER REPUBLICANS
The Delegates Much Disappointed
Over The Defeat of Towne.
Many Persistent Attempts to Place
Him in Nomination In Spite of the
Action of the Democratic COn'en-
ten The Matter Finally Left
With the National Committee.

| KANSAS CITY, July 6-The Silver Re-
publican Convention this afternoon voted
to leave the matter of filling second place
to the National Committee of the party
with plenary power to act in the premises.
| This action was taken against the wishes
OF majority OF the delegates, who wanted
to nominate Charles A. Towne. of Minne-
sota and 1t was only because of the
strenuous efforts of Senator Teller, Mr..
friends Of Mr.. Towne that they were pre-
vented from carrying their desires into ef-
! feet.
The Silver Republicans throughout the
week have had the utmost confidence in
! the success OF Townes convass for the
! Democratic nomination. They were bit-
| terly chagrined when It failed. Then they
/ urged them not to, and finally succeeded
/ in having the whole matter placed in the
| hands OF the National Committee.
Mr.. Towne was notified today of his
| nomination by the Fusionists at Sioux
Falls. He asked the Fusionist National
Committee to give few days to him 10
| prepare his answer and they agreed to.
He will decline the nomination and go on
the stump for Bryan and Stevenson. The
! Silver Republican delegates had held three
sessions Of their Convention when they
began to assemble this morning at the Au
ditorium, and they did not feel very
lively.
Chairman Brown called for the report OF
the Committee ON Resolutions. which had
the platform ready to report. The plat
form had been held back partly because
the committee could not agree easily in
itself upon all the planks and partly be-
cause 1t was desired that it should be as
like the Democratic as was possible. The
platform also had the approval of Senator
Pettigrew and other enthusiastic POpu-
lists before the Convention got chance to
hear It.
The California delegation offered an
amendment to the canal plank, calling for
the construction of the canal by the Amer
lean Government in the interests of the
people. The Convention adopted the reso-
luton. The platform was adopted unani-
mously and by acclamation.
The delegates had been kept pretty busy
up to this time, but they were growing i'm
patient to get down to business.
Senator Teller had been around among
the Democrats and Fusionists working for
Towne. and he was very busy. but he came
In in time to place Colonel Bryan in nomi-
nation for the Presidency. Senator Teller
got round of applause as he began his
remarks. He spoke first OF the conference
which had been going on between the
Democrats, the Populists. and Silver Re-
publicans. Senator Teller then delivered
a eulogy Of Bryan, saying he was nearer
to Lincoln than any other American since
Lincoln's time. calling him the most pow
erful. able, honest, and representative
American.
There was a fine outburst at the end Of
Senator Teller's speech. Then the Sec
onding speeches began with Fl. S. Hazard
of California, Senator Frank D. Ransom of
Nebraska, Joseph Hutchinson, Lieutenant
Governor of Idaho; H. p. Lason of South
Dakota, and a number of others.
Then Bryan was nominated by acclama-
ton amid din of cheers, stamping of
feet. clapping of hands, and similar dem
onstrations of approval. Senator Teller
was then appointed chairman OF COM
mittee to inform the Democratic Conven-
tion OF the nomination.
This being done. Webster Davis was
called to the platform to make a speech.
The delegates liked IL. Then they ad-
journed until $3.50 p. m. While they were
at lunch they learned that the Democrats
were nominating Stevenson and were much
disappointed when they returned to the
convention hall. They did not conceal
their belief that Towne should be nomi-
mated anyhow and an Independent fight
made for him.
Chairman Brown. Senator Teller. Sem
ator Pettigrew ex-senator Dubois and the
other men interested in the Towne candi-
dacy sent for Towne, knowing that nothing
except speech from him would quiet the
crowd.
Towne was late in arriving. At $3.50 the
delegates began to cry for Chairman
Brown to call the Convention 10 or
der. Mr.. Brown would not do it until
he saw his way clear to keep order FL
nally Chairman Brown raped for order.
Before he had chance to say word half
a dozen delegates were on their feet NOV
ing the nomination OF Towne by accIama-
tion. Mr.. Brown got Mr.. Lewis of Ne
braska to make speech urging the dele
gates to restrain themselves until Mr..
Towne could get there and speak to them.
Other speeches of similar character were
made. Senator Teller said:
I'VE have been grievously disappointed.
We are aggrieved, but we have duties
which We cannot perform in an excited
manner. The last speaker wants you to
nominate Charles A. Towsne whether he
wants 1t or not He does not care for
Charley Towne's feelings. But You do. Tor
you are men of thought and men OF prin-
ciple. You understand ii better than they.
No man living can stand in the way OF the
cause for which we are fighting. II is not
Democratic fight we are entering on. 1T
is contest for liberty"
A diversion was caused by the entrance
OF Mr.. Towne- He was greeted with an en-
thusiastic outburst OF applause.
5. VI. Chead1e. of Indiana. got up 10 make
a report for the Committee on Conference. .
He said one FusiOnist and one Silver Re-
publican were to have appeared before he
Democratic Convention and urge Towne's
nomination, but they got TO opportunity to
do so. Therefore he said the question was
how to preserve the Silver Republican .
party. In his Judgment the only way was
to complete the ticket by making uonina- .
ton for Vice President. The delegates saw
Towne the platform, and they had not
much patience with Mr. Cheadle. The de- |
mands for speech from Towne became so !
loud that Chairman Brown had to Pound
again and again for order.
Mr. Towne, worn and tired, stepped for |
ward and was received with another roar
OF applause. He said:
You ought not to nominate me at this |
Convention. l must support the Demo- |
cratic nominee. This Convention is in
spired by a high sense OF patriotic duty
which will cause you to overlook all sense |
of failure. all sense OF disappointment |
You should support in this campaign the |
ticket Of Bryan and Stevenson. | do not
think it wise for you to name me. for it
means divided effort and n divided vote. |
do not mistake my motive There is |
no room among us for doubling motives / |
ask you not TO nominate me- but TO con- |
verge all OF our intelligence TO the defeat |
of Mr.. Mckinley. | am clear on this sub
ject. My determination has been reached |
| am convinced that the best interests Of |