Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-07-05
BRYAN UNYIELDING
NEBRASKAN FIRM IN HIS STAND
FOR SILVER.
DOMINATES CONVENTION
Eastern Delegations Preparing to AC-
cept the Inevitable-Hill Makes 4
Fruitless Visit to Lincoln in Hopes
Of Obtaining a Compromise-Notes
on Big Meeting.


OF the convention began yesterday with
the meeting of the national committees
to determine contests and select tenn
porary officers. Last night the nation
al committee had a private dinner, a
sort Of family conference, while greaJ
crowds Of delegates and spectators cen
tered at the convention hall, which was
formally opened with band concert
There is no doubt it will be complete
| " ready for the convention tomorrow
morning. The Monetary League also
began its sessions yesterday, with
Coin Harvey and Towne as attra-
tons, but this is quite too academic to
attract much attention. Aside from
formal proceedings, the day brought
many Developments and some sur
prises, in the general situation. The
dominating influence Of Bryan over the
convention has been made perfectly
manifest, causing some concern and
just little rebellion in some quarters.
! The arrival Of the Nebraska delega-
tiOOn, fresh frorl the conference with
| their leader, was mainly instrumental
| in showing Bryan's attitude. They
were hardly off the cars before they
met in caucus and formally put for
ward declaration of principles. This
expressed ''una!terable opposition to
| any surrender Of the principles of BIZ
inetallism, and demand for a fnan-
cial plank making specific a pledge for
| free and unlimited coinage of gold and
| silver at ratio Of 16 to l independent
ly Of what any other nation may do"
The return Of Senator Hill without
tangible results which he is willing to
disclose, made it plain his conference
with Bryan at Lincoln had come to
naught. 1t served also to emphasize
the general feeling that Bryan would
not tolerate any temporizing on the
platform.
But the development of Bryan's in
fiuence over the convention, his I'M
Wayering insistence on 16 to has ere
ated curious counter movement
Practical politicians, leaders who run
campaigns to secure votes, want no
surrender of silver, neither are they
seeking immOlation at this one altar
They seek compromise, a concession,
such harmOnizing that all sections can
be brought together. AS a result of
this strong growing sentiment, def
mite and urgent representations
have been made to Bryan in the inter
est of harmony and moderation on the
platform. The bearer of these over
lures is James Kerr, secretary OF the
congressional national committee, VINO
is with Bryan in Lincoln after conferr-
ing with the leaders here.
From what developed, however, the
mission is likely to prove unproductive
Indeed, this feeling is so universal that
the eastern delegations have reached
a practical determination to accept the
inevitable.
Quite Independent Of Bryan influence
several vice presidential movements
had varying fortunes. during the day
Shiveley of Indiana retired finally and
imperatively. The Hill movement on
the other hand, showed decided prog
ress, Notwithstanding the chill of the
Lincoln conference.
Towne Much in Favor.
Kansas City, Mo, July 3-The
Towne managers say very emphatically
that their man will win the vice-Dres-
idential sweepstakes. They have.
reached a point where they offer the
democrats certain terms and insist up
on being heard. Their program is this:
The men authorized to speak for the
populists and silver republicans will
agree with democratic managers that
both conventions shall go ahead and
nominate Bryan on the first day, July
i, but that no effort shall be made to
nominate a presidential candidate.
Committees Of conference shall be ap-
pointed with a view of agreeing upon a
candidate to unite the forces of the
three fusion parties. If the democratic
| leaders do not agree TO this program
| the silver republican convention will
make no nomination of either president
or vice-president, but will appoint
| committee Of conference on both offices
| to confer with like committees Of the
democrats and populists. Some of the
| democratic leaders have agreed that
| this is a fair proposition, and have as
sured the Towne managers that they
! will do what they can to carry it out
Another card the Towne men are
| playing is that Bryan is for the Mime
! sofa man. The position said to be TAX
en- by Mr. Bryan is that the democrats
are in honor bound to treat the allies
| of 1896 fairly and with due cOnsidera-
| ton. He thinks that the populists ard
silver republicans hold the balance OF
| power in several states and when unit
ed with the democrats make those
states sure for the allied forces. Bryan
does not want a double-tailed ticket il
this campaign and many Of the leaders
share his wishes. There is a possibiI-
ity that the populists and silver repub-
licans may object to withdrawing the
man they have nominated. So tbs
Towne men think they are in a very
good position.
Another thing which makes tho
Towne men so confident is the loyalty
Of Sulzer to Bryan. They believe tina
if Sulzer is convinced that Bryan want:
Towne he will not only step out OF thu
! way. but take the platform and nom
mate or second Towne's nomination
Of course, this may require a stron:
intimation from Bryan, an intimatiol
that is scarcely probable, as Mr.. Bryai
does not want 20 appear in the role 0
debating to the convention