The Springfield herald., 1900-07-13

Kansas City, July 4.-Amid scenes Of
tumultous enthusiasm befitting such an
event and such Il day, the Democratic
national convention began its sessions
to-day. But after sitting until n 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 whrlwind
demonstrations, first for the leader VINO
is about to he 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 eN-
preston in the committee on resolu-
tions when it assembled to-day. Sen
ator Jones of Arkansas was unanl-
mously chosen chairman and Mr. Met
calf of Nebraska secretary.
Mr.. MetcaIf's declaration was for the
A.. yl,t. rNIu
in letter and spirit. and it emphasized
and reiterated. specifically the declara-
ton for the free coinage of silver at
the ratio of 1G to l. Both the other
drafts simply reaffirmed the Chicago
platform. without reference to the IA
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 immeul-
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 IL matter of clerical work.
This suggestion was adopted. and the
committee Immediately entered upon
Mr.. Fitzgerald of Colorado followed
in warm speech denouncing in most
emphatic language any effort to mini
mize the financial question. He assert
ed that the omission of declaration
on ratio of the two metals would be a
mere evasion and concealment; that
such evasion would not get any one OF
catch any of the gold-standard people
whom it was meant to entrap. 1t was
only meant to be construed as silver
plank in one section of the country. and
an anti-silver plank in another. Such
n course as this would fail to satisfy
the people of all sections.
If" lie said, "Mr. 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 n doubtful state. with n prospect of
not only casting its electoral vote for
Mckinley rs 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 n new party since it 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,
ha. 4 do hn Dpr t,ln
Representative Newlands of Nevada
declared in favor of n specific declarn-
ton for 16 to !. Ex-Governor Stone of
Missouri indicated that his Judgment
was opposed to specific declaration
for 16 to 1. but he said it 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 16 to / eliminated he was sure
it would be there.
Senator Rawlins of Utah was favor
| able to 16 to l pronouncement, but did
not contend for it as absolutely essen
tiaI. Gibbons of Florida and Blackman
of Louisiana supported the conserva-
| tive view.
Finally at $50 a. m. the platform
| committee, by vote of 90 to 90, agreed
upon the financial plank, sub
stituting 16 to l declaration for a
simple reaiiirmation of the Chicago
| platform:
I'VE reiterate the demand of the plat
I form of 1896 for an American financial
| system made by the American people
| for themselves. which shall restore and
maintain bimetallic price level; and