The silver star., 1900-07-13

/ Kansas City. July Amid scenes OF
tumulious enthusiasm beiiitng such an
event and such a 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
assemblage 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 10 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-
I 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 IL assembled to-day. Sen
ator Jones of Arkansas was unani-
mously chosen chairman and Mr.. Met
calf Of Nebraska secretary.
! Mr.. Metcalf's declaration was for the
reaffirmation of the Chicago platform
in letter and spirit, and II emphasized
and reiterated. specifically the declara-
ton for the free coinage of silver at
the ratio of IL to /. 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 and passed upon. He
said 1t 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 n matter of clerical work.
This suggestion was adopted. and the
committee Immediately entered upon
the effort 10 settle the question of ratio
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 n declaration
on ratio of the two metals would be q
mere evasion and concealment; that
such evasion would not get any one oil
catch any Of the gold-standard people
whom In N n
only meant 10 be construed as silver
plank In one section of the country. and
an anti-silver plank In another. Sucl
course ns this would fail to satisfy
the people Of all sections.
II" he said. Mr.. Bryan Is n good
enough platform. then the platform ap
proved by him should be good enough.
He declared II was essential that
there should he declaration for til,
ratio In clear and unmistakablc terms
and he followed this up with the asscr
ton that If such declaration was no,
made even Colorado could be counted
as doubtful state. with u prospect OF
not only casting It's electoral vote fol
Mckinley as president. but Of sending
Mr.. Wolcott back to the United States
Senate.
George Fred williams OF Massachu
sets also made n spirited argument fol
specific declaration on the question
OF ratio.
He asserted that the Democratic par
ty Ind become n new party since 1t had
Incorporated the financial question In
Its declaration of principles. 1t had be-
come virile and live party since 1896
ana this fact was due solely to the cir
clmstances that the money question
which was the question Of the people
had been made the paramount issue.
Representative Ncwlands Of Nevada
declared In favor Of n specific declara.
tion for III to ]. Ex-Governor Stone OF
Missouri Indicated that his Judgment
was opposed TO "a specific declaration
for 10 TO I. but he said II was evident
TINT Mr. Bryan wns favorable TO such
n declaration and he would. therefore
support the proposition. Mr.. Bald
representative Of senator German OF
Maryland. cspoused the silver cause,
lie snld he hoped Maryland would bt
found In the Democratic column this
fnil under any circumstances. but that
with 10 TO ] eliminated he wns sure
II would bc there.
Senator ltawlIns Of Utah was favor.
nOie 10 lU 10 ] pronouncemcnt. but did
not contend for II ns absolutely essen,
tinl. Gibbons Of Florldn AMI Binckmnu n
OF Louisiana supported the conseryu.
tive view.
Finally Mt $40 n. IN. tho platform
committee. by n vote Of 20 TO %, agreed
upon the financial plank. xul..
stltuting n III TO I declaration for n
simple rcntilrmntion Of tho Chlenrc
platform.
I'VE relternte the dcmnnd of tho Mat.
form Of 1900 for nm American tlnai,cIsI
system made by the American n,onie
for themselves. which slinll restore mi
maintain u bimetsllIc price level; and