Gilpin observer., 1900-07-12

Kansas City, July 4-Amid scenes of
tumultous enthusiasm betittng 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 j.
Bryan as the Democratic candidate for
President-has failed of realization,
and all of the large business of the
convention awaits the completion of
the platform.
AS spectacular event, however, the
convention has fulfilled the hopes of
the most fervid party man, for the vast
aSsemblage of spectators and delegates
has twice been swept with whirlwind
demonstrations, first for the leader who
is about to be placed in nomination.
and then for that other champion of
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-
DarationS 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-
vention began to assemble, found eX-
preston in the committee on resolu-
tions when it assembled to-day. Sen
ator Jones of Arkansas was unani-
mously chosen chairman and Mr.. Met
calf of Nebraska secretary.
Mr.. Metcalf's declaration was for the
reaffirmation of the Chicago platform
in 1attnr and Snirit and II nmnhlSiZ
and reiterated. specifically the declara-
ton for the free coinage of silver at
the ratio of 16 to 1. Both the other
drafts simply reaffirmed the Chicago
platform, without reference to the ra-
ito.
The reading of Mr.. Van Wyck's doc
ument brought Mr.. Ball of Texas to
his feet with the suggestion that the
financial question should be immedi-
ately taken up and passed upon. He
said it was apparent to all there was
no division upon any other platform
question and that with the financial
plank disposed of the preparation of
the remainder of the platform would
be merely matter of clerical work.
This suggestion was adopted. and the
committee Immediately entered upon
the effort to settle the question of ratio.
Mr.. Fitzgerald of Colorado followed
in a warm speech, denouncing in most
emphatic language any effort to mini
miZe the financial question. He assert
ed that the omission of a 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 1t was meant to entrap. 1t was
only meant to be construed as n silver
L. ion. .,f tl.a ntpxv M
an anti-silver plank in another. Such
a course as this would fail to satisfy
the people of all sections.
"If," he said, MIR. 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 n declaration for the
ratio in clear and unmistakable terms,
and he followed this up with the asser-
ton that If such declaration was not
made even Colorado could be counted
as doubtful state, with prospect of
not only casting its electoral vote for
Mckinley as president, but Of sending
Mr.. Wolcott back to the United States
Senate.
George Fred Williams of Massachu-
sets also made spirited argument for
n 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
it's declaration of principles. II had be
come virile and live party since 1896,
and this fact was due solely to the cir
cumstances 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 n specific declara-
Ton for 10 to 1. Ex-Governor Stone of
Missouri indicated that his judgment
was opposed to II specific declaration
for 10 to I. but he said ii was evident
that Mr. Bryan was favorable to such
n declaration and he would, therefore,
support the proposition. Mr.. Bald,
representative of Senator German OF
Maryland. espoused the silver cause,
He said he hoped Maryland would be
found in the Democratic column this
fall under any circumstances, but that
with 10 to eliminated he was sure
It would be there.
Senator Rawlins of Utah was favor
able to 10 to l prOnouncement, but did
not contend for II as absolutely essen.
tial. Gibbons of Florida and Blackman
of Louisiana supported the conserva-
tive view
Finally at $50 n. m. the platform
committee, by n vote OF 20 to 90, agreed
upon the financial plank, sub
stituting III to l declaration for a
simple reaiiirmntlon OF the Chicago
platform:
1--WE reiternte the demand Of the plat
form of 1906 for an American financial
system made by the American people
for themselves. which shall restore and
maintain bimetalllc price level; and