The state herald., 1900-07-13

tuInultOuS enthusiasm DellttlnS Sucn an
event and such day, the Democratic
national convention began its sessions
to-day. But after sitting until A 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 n spectacular event, however, the
convention has fulfilled the hopes of
the most fervid party man. for the vast
nssemblage 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
rlous committees and the detailed pre-
paratlons 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 1t assembled today, Sen
ator Jones OF Arkansas was unani-
mOusly chosen chairman and Mr.. Met
calf OF Nebraska secretary.
Mr.. Metcalf presented the draft of n
platform, covering all questions of pub
lie interest, which draft all the MEM
bers accepted as Mr.. Bryan's express
sion upon this question. Mr.. Girard 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
reafiirmation of the Chicago platform
IN letter and spirit. and II emphasized
and reiterated. specifically the declara-
!ion for the free coinage Of silver at
the ratio of 10 to I. Both the other
drafts simply rcaiiirmed the Chicago
platform, without reference TO the ra-
Ito.
The reading OF Mr.. Van Wyck's doc
ument brought Mr.. Ball OF Texas to
ittt WIN thN NuEEfNii'h
financial question should be immedl-
ately taken mp and passed upon. He
said II 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.. Van wyck led on with n brief
statement. saying that while In his pint
form he had referred to four issues
as prominent. namely, those OF imper-
ialism. mllitnrlsm. trusts and the H.
nances, he considered that only three
OF these We're OF current consequence,
believing the money question had been
crowded Into the background by other
subjects which had pressed to 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 senator said that no man
who knew him would doubt for a min
ute that he now 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 II four years
ago on account Of the position taken
ON the silver question, and II this could
bc accomplished. ms he believed II
could be. by omliting all reference
whatever TO the ratio. he. for one. was
content TO pursue that course. simply
rcnfiirmlng the Chicago platform.
Mr.. Fitzgerald OF Colorado followed
In n warm speech, dcnouncing In most
emphatic language amy effort TO mini.
miza the financial question. lie assert
al that the omission OF declaration
on ratio OF the two metals would be II
mere evasion and conecnlmcnt: that
sucl evasion would not get amy one or
catch nny OF the goid.stnndnrd people
whom II wns mcnnt TO cptrap. II was
only meant to bc construed ms n silver
plank In one section OF the country. and
nm anii.sllvcr plank In another. Such
n course as this would fail TO satisfy
the people OF all sections,
"lf." he sDid. mir. bryan II a good
'HouEh iiH'lbrHi, tn'H ttt pin'tpfUl Hp-
proved by him should he good enough. -
lie declared II was essential that
there should bc n declaration for the
ratio In clear and unmis,nknbic terms.
and he followed this mp with the nsscr.
tion that II such declaration was not
made even Colorado could bc counted
ns n doubtful state, with n prospect Of
not only cnstine Its electoral vote for
Mckinley ms president. but OF sending
Mr.. Wolco,t back 10 the United States
SENATE.
George Fred Williams of Mnsanchu.
sets ALSO mndc spirited argument for
n specific declaration ON the question
OF rniio.
II. asserted that the Democratic par.
~ Ind become n new party since II had
Incorporated the financial question In
It's declaration " principles, II Ind bo.
com. willie nnd live party since 1900,
md this fact WINS due solely 10 the cir.
ctimsinnccs that the money question.
which wnH the question OF the people.
Ind been made The paramount issue,
Representative Newinnds ~ Ncyndn
declared IN fnyor of n specific declnfn,
ton for III 10 I. Ex-Governor Htone of
Missouri indicated that his judgment
was opposed 10 specific declaration
for ~ 10 4 hut ln said II WINS evident
TINT Mr.. Brynn was favorable 10 such
declaration ard he would. therefore.
support the proposition. Mr. Bald,