Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-07-14
FOR A GOLD PLANK.
Democratic Convention Forced intG
Unprecedented Attitude.
silence on the Financial Plank
Brought Letter from the Nomi-
nee for President Threaten
ing to Resign.

Ing to Resign.
st. Louis, July 11.-Here Is Judge
Alton B. Parker's letter to William
F. Sheehan:
II regard the gold standard as firm
ly and irrevocably established and shall
act accordingly II the action of the con-
vention Of to-day shall be ratified by
the people. AS the platform is silent
on the subject my views should be.
made known to the convention. and If
1t proves to be unsatisfactory to the,
majority I request you to decline the.
nomination for me at once so that an
other may be nominated before adj
journment. A. B. PARKER"
Conventions Reply.
1.-THE platform adopted by this con-
vention is silent on the question of the
monetary standard because 1t is not
regarded by us as possible issue in
this campaign and only campaign is
sues were mentioned in the platform.
Therefore, there is nothing in the views
expressed by you in the telegram just
received which would preclude q man
entertaining them from accepting q
nomination on said platform"
St. Louis, July Incomplete con-
sternation seized the democratic con-
vention when a report reached the
Coliseum late Saturday afternoon that
Parker had declined to stand on the
platform adopted because Il omitted the
gold plank. The report spread like
wildfire and the convention hurriedly
adjourned while listening to vice presi-
dental nominating speeches. There
was quiet conference at Hills head
quarters.
The convention reassembled at eight
o'clock. Gov. VardaLan, of Mississip-
pi, asked that the Parker telegram be
read. After some delay. John Sharp
Williams, fresh from the Hill confer
ence, mounted the platform and I'D
dressed the convention. He read re-
ply which had been carefully framed.
expires sing the disposition Of the con-
vention, which he asked the convcn-
ton to send to the candidate. This
precipitated debate which continued
until long after midnight. Daniel, Car
mack and other prominent delegates
were called to the platform to urge
the adoption of the proposed telegram
to Parker. While Tillman was adj
dressing the audience, Bryan. his jaws
set with grim determination. pushed
his way through the delegates and
made his way to the platform. AS soon
as Tillman gave him an opening he
began one of his characteristic
harangues. He began in low voice
which showed wear. Gradually he
grew louder. He recited in detail the
Of the committee meet
ing at which the platform was adopted.
He had asked Hill, he said, whether
he knew Mr.. Parker to be gold man
and Hill had replied that he did not
know.
The delegates maintained an unusual
calm. In concluding an unusually
specious plea, in which he showed the
full mastery of his argumentative pow
ers and observed apparent moderation
Of views, he said 1t would have been
more honorable for Judge Parker to
declare his views on the money ques-
ton before the convention than just
before it closed. Throughout he twit-
ted Parker on his silence and plainly
was trying, in magnificent effort, to
turn the minds of the delegates to q
sense of their mistake in having chosen
Parker.
In a reply John Sharp Williams dealt
Bryan some severe blows. arraigning
him without mercy for his attitude.
He referred to him as the party scold
and said he had raised the only note Of
discord in the convention. In third
appearance before the convention Bry-
m withdrew his amendment. Some Of
the other speakers were frequently in
terrupted by cries for Bryan. The pro-
were orderly and no hyster-
cal scenes occurred. At 1890 o'clock
the chairman submitted the question:
Of sending the telegram to the candi-
late. A roll call was demanded end
resulted in vote Of TIA for sending
the proposed reply to 1874 against it.
Kansas cast its 20 votes against send
ing the telegram. Missouri also cast
,6 votes against. Indian territory cast
for and l against: Oklahoma for
md A aOaiuef