, 1900-07-12

Kansas City, July Amid scenes of
tumultous enthusiasm BETTING such an
event and such n 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 a 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 whiriwind
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-
parations 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-
tons when II assembled to-day. Sen
atOr Jones of Arkansas was unanl-
mously chosen chairman and Mr.. Met
calf of Nebraska secretary.
Mr.. Metcalf presented h draft of n
platform, covering all questions of pub
lin fptnrn.f (which draft oil rho NOM
bers accepted as Mr.. Bryan's express
sion upon this question. Mr.. Girard of
Georgia also presented n platform as
did Mr.. Van Wyck of New York. All
took practically the same ground ON
all questions except that of the
finances.
Mr.. Metcalf's declaration was for the
reatfirmation of the Chicago platform
in letter and spirit, and 1t emphasized
and reiterated, specifically the declara-
ton for the free coinage of silver at
the ratio of 16 TO l. 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 II passed upon. He
said II was apparent TO all there was
no division upon any other platform
question and hat with the financial
plank disposed of the preparation of
the remainder of the platform would
be merely a natter of clerical work.
This suggestion vas adopted, and the
committee Immediately entered upon
the effort to settle the question of ratio.
Mr.. Van Wyck led off with a brief
statement, saying that while in his plat
form he had referred to four issues
as prominent, namely, those of imper-
ialism, militarism, rusts II the fl
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 10 the surprise of some members
of the committee. followed Mr.. Van
Wyck in support of his views of the
question. The senator said that nc nan
who knew him would doubt for n 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-
AluhNu INN. ~ "dSi hoNtNtls lila
ious TO bring back into the fold of the
party those who had left 1t four years
ago on account of the position taken
on the silver question, and If this could
be accomplished, as he believed it
could be, by emitting all reference
whatever TO the ratio, he, for one, was
content to pursue that course, simply
reatfirming the Chicago platform.
Mr.. Fitzgerald of Colorado followed
In n warm speech, d~enOuncing in most
emphatic language any effort to mini
mize the financial question. He assert
ed that the omission of n declaration
on ratio of the two metals would be II
mere evasion and concealment; that
such evasion would not get any one or
catch n of the gOld-standard people
whom 1t was meant to entrap. 1t was
only meant to b. construed as a silver
plank in one section of the country, and
an anti-silver plank in another. Such
a course as this would fail to satisfy
the people of all sections.
If" he said, "Mr. Bryan is a good
enough platform, then the platform APP
proved by him should be good enough"
He declared 1t was essential that
there Should be a 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 n 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 madea spirited argument for
n specific declaration on the question
of ratio.
He asserted that the Democratic par
~ had become n new party since II had
incorporated the financial question in
its declaration of principles. 1t had be
come n vlrile and live party since 1896,
and this fact was due solely TO the cir
cumstances that the money question.
which vas the question of the people,
had been made the paramount issue.
Representative Newlnnds of Nevada
declared in favor of n specific declara-
ton for 10 To l. Ex-Governor Stone of
Missouri indicated that his Judgment
was opposed to n specific declaration
for 10 to !, but he said II was evident
that Mr.. Bryan was favorable to such