The Holly chieftain., 1900-07-13

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 a 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
a specific declaration on the question
Of ratio.
He asserted that the Democratic par
ty had become Il new party since 1t had
Incorporated the financial question in
its declaration of principles. 1t 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 16 to 1. Ex-Governor Stone Of
Missouri indicated that his Judgment
was opposed to specific declaration
for 10 to 1, but he said 1t was evident
that Mr.. Bryan was favorable to such
a 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
1t would be there.
Senator Rawlins of Utah was favor
able to 16 to announcement, but did
not contend for 1t as absolutely essen.
tial. Gibbons Of Florida and Blackman
Of Louisiana supported the conserva-
tive view.
Finally at $50 a. m. the platform
committee, by vote of 26 to %, agreed
upon the financial plank, sub
stituting 16 to 1 declaration for a
simple reaffirmatiOn of the Chicago
platform:
1--WE reiterate the demand of the plat
form of 1896 for an American financial
system made by the American people
for themselves. which shall restore and
maintain bimetallio price level; and
as part of such system the immediate
restoration of the free and unlimited
coinage of silver and gold at the pres
ent legal ratio of 16 to /, without wait
Ing for the aid or consent of any other
nation"
Kansas City, July Sit was late this
afternoon when the convention was at
last face to face with the presidential
nomination. Earlier in the day there
had been tedious delays, due to the
inability of the platform committee
to reconcile differences and present n
report. Until this was ready the con-
vention beguiled the time by putting
forward speakers of more or less prom
inence to keep the vast audience from
becoming too restless.
The first session, beginning Mt 10
O'Clock this morning, was entirely fruit
less of results. and it was not until
late In the afternoon when the second
session had begun, that the platform
committee was at last able to report an
agreement. Already its main features,
embodying the 16 to l principle, had be-
come known to the delegates, and there
was little delay in giving 1t unanimous
approval. This removed the last
chance for an open rupture on ques-
tions Of principle, and left the way
clear for the supreme event of the day
the nomination of the presidential
candidate. The vast auditorium was
filled to Its utmost capacity when the
moment arrived for the nomination to
be made.
When the call of states began for the
purpose of placing candidates in nomi-
nation, Alabama yielded its place at
the head of the list to Nebraska, and
Mr.. Oldham of that state made his
way to the platform for the initial
speech placing Mr.. Bryan in nomina-
tion for the presidency. The orator
was strong voiced and entertaining,
yet to the waiting delegates and specta-
tors there was but one point to his
speech, and that was the stirring pero-
ration which closed with the name Of
William Jennings Bryan.
This was the signal for the demon
stration of the day, and the great con-
course Joined In tribute of enthusias-
tic devotion to the leader. When the
demonstration had spent itself the
speeches seconding the nomination of
Mr.. Bryan were in order. Senator
White spoke for California.