The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-07
Senator Overpowered BY Vice
Presidential Situation.
Pleads With Silver Republican
Convention For Moderation.
TONNES OWN PARTY
Finally Prevailed Upon Not to
Nominate Him.
Whole Matter is Turned Over
to the Committee.

Kansas City, July Two minutes
| after Chairman Brown called the Silver
Republican convention to order at $3.50
yesterday afternoon the convention
vented its feeling concerning the nom
ination of Stevenson by bowling down
| Delegate Lewis of Nebraska. IT be-
Heyed this morning it was our plain
duty to nominate Bryan and Towne' -
he said. but I believe now it is our
plain duty to endorse Bryan and Steven
| SON" a perfect storm of groans and
protests arose from the delegates many
of them standing on their chairs
NO, never sit down. rats" they
shouted and Mr.. Lewis was finally COM
PEELED to take his seat.
Senator Ransom of Nebraska gained
| the floor, and in an eloquent speech
pleaded for moderation. We came here
as patriots" he said, while we have
met with great disappointment yet we
must be sober. sensible and must act
| wisely
length in this strain, but finally he, too,
was interrupted by the impatient dele
gates
what do you favor?'' asked one del
egate. Tell US now
Il favor the nomination of Towne,"
said Senator Ransom, but let US not
act until We hear from him He will be
here SOOn.''
Webb McNaI of Kansas was then
recognized 1t is not necessary to go
outside OF our party for a vice presi-
dent" said he amid shouts of approval
lido you gentlemen want the tail of the
Cleveland administration? Do you be-
Heve it good judgment?'' The hall fair
ly trembled from the storm of noes
Nominate Charley Towne," yelled a
delegate. Amid much confusion and
the pounding of the chairman's gavel
Mr. McNan shouted, Il move that
Charles A Towne be declared the uu-
If ar1r7 ff<7r7s
Il second the motion - shouted a dozen
delegates at once
Wait, gentlemen" exclaimed Senator
Teller springing to his feet I'VE want
some calm elaboration"
I'VE have had it for three days" in
terrupted a delegate.
No man living should stand in the
way of this cause" continued Senator
Teller. I believe this contest involves
the life OF the republic, a contest for
liberty, for the existence of free govern
ment- Let US wait; let us wait until we
hear from Mr.. ToWne."
Senator Teller, I would as soon vote
for black snake as for Stevenson" in
terrupted a Nebraska delegate. Cheers
and Kisses greeted this remark
Don't, gentlemen" pleaded Senator
Teller. BE moderate"
With his voice betraying deep emo
ton Senator Teller said: 4 am going
to support Mr.. Bryan and the ticket in
every way / can, not for Mr. Bryan,
but for the country which I so love"
streaming from his eyes took his seat
w II Foster gained the floor and in
sisted upon the chair putting the ques-
ton. During the confusion resulting
Charles A. ToWne entered the hall and
in an instant the hall was in an up
roar. Cheer after cheer went up and
flags and handkerchiefs were waved by
the excited delegates. Towne was i'm
mediately surrounded by those on the
stage.
Mr.. Towne. we want to nominate
you" said an Indiana delegate.
Il don't want you to do it, said Mr..
Towne- Il understand what my duty
is in this matter"
we must insist on it," put in an
other delegate lou have no right to
refuse. You will break US to pieces"
Mr.. Towne, pale-faced, but deter
mined. shook his head emphatically.
Please give him a chance to be
heard shouted Chairman Brown and |
the delegates one by one took their |
seats
Mr.. Fleming. a delegate from New
Jersey, mounted the platform and de- |
say that the proposed conference be- I
tween a representative from the Popu- |
list party and one from the Silver Re |
publican party with a representative of i
the Denocrat tic national convention had |
not been held, and for himself he be- |
1ieved that it was the duty of the con-
vention to go on and complete the I
ticket by nominating Charles A Towne |
for vice president Mr.. Fleming then /
gave way to Mr.. Towne.
THE Silver Republicans have made |
a good fight" said Mr.. Towne. They /
have been defeated But he said, 1T |
is your duty to support the ticket nomi-
mated by the national Democratic con-
vention.' He Insisted that there was
an issue In the coming election which |
towers above men, and he implored the
convention to look at it as he did. He
begged them to remember that Bryan
was still at the head The platform of
the Democratic party was almost iden-
teal at least in principle, with the
platform of the Silver Republican
party While Mr.. Towne was speak
ing several attempts were made to in
terrupt him with questions. The con-
ventiDn howled down these attempts
until Mr. Towne yielded to the Ques-
tions, after which Mr.. Towne again in
sisted that It was his wish that the
should not Nominate him.
The convention gave Mr.. Towne most
consideration, and while he
was speaking it was evident that the
was disposed to follow Mr..
Towne's advice and wishes.
BY a practically unanimous vote the
referred the vice presiden-
tia1 nomination to the national COM
rnittee with pIenary power, and at SIG
ion :. nod civ