The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-07-12
Committee.
Z Fight That Was Made on Different
Planks-DanieIs Severely Criticizes
-Bryan-An AIl-Night Session.

on resolutions perfected the platform
and adjourned just before noon, in
structing its subcommittee to arrange
the draft for submission to the general
committee at 6 o'clock this evening. for
report to the convention two hours
later.
The platform is a compromise ac-
ceptable to all Of the interests involved
and was adopted unanimously by the
committee. 1t may be said in genera!
to AVE been a concession TO the Bryan
wing OF the party, without in any way
stultifying the declarations OF the con-
~servatives. The absence OF any pro-
nouncement upon the financial ques-
ton is most significant and discloses
the utter impossiblity of finding n
declaration upon this subject accepta-
bic to all.
In the committee room there were
many dramatic scenes, not the least
striking of which was the verbal en-
counter between Senator Hill and Nj.
Bryan. 1t occurred while Mr.. Bryan
was in making one of his
many attacks upon the gold standar
plank, as framed by the subcommittee.
He was wrought up to high tension,
when approaching the New York lead
1er and shaking his finger dangerously
NEAR the nose of that gentleman, he
exclaimed: You ought to nave a gold
platform to go with the gold candidate
you are forcing upon the country"
Mr.. Hill replied hat he knew nothing
as to Mr.. ark monetary views,
DO you mean to say" demanded
the Nebraskan, that you don't know
| Judge Parker's financial views?"
81 man iYrC4 fhnr - rQcnan6n1 Mr.
Hill.
You have no knowledge on that sub
ject?"
None"
Have never asked him?"
Il have not. I have never sought to
secure an expression of his views and
he has never sought to convey them
to me. / only know that he is a Dem
ocrat and a high minded and patriotic
man and 1 believe that he can be trust
ed implicitly on this, as upon other
matters of public policy
Mr. Bryan then demanded to know
when the gold plank had been decided
upon and why it had not been incor-
porated in the New York platform.
Mr.. Hill replied that the matter had
first been discussed at the meeting of
the delegation about ten days ago and
that the declaration was the result of
insistence 10y other members of the
delegation than himself.
Committee on ResOluti0aAL
st. Louis, July Sat 4:40 o'clock this
morning the committee on resolutions
voted the gold standard plank out of
the Democratic platform by q vote of
25 to 10. This was the third victory
for William j. Bryan during the all
night session of the committee. He
had made two successful efforts early
in the evening and secured modifica-
fiOnS of the tariff nlank on rwO soma "a 70
votes.
The contest was one Of the most in
Seresting features of he convention.
The main fight was upnn a proposed
income-tax plank, providing for an
amendment to the constitution to meet
the adverse decision of the Supreme
BcOurt on the Wilson law. 1t was upon
y this amendment and the gold plank-the
two propositions having been brought
in conjunction-that ME-. Bryan made
his strong fight.
Mr.. Williams, of Mississippi first or
fered the income-tax amendment, and
it was Immediately ~goniZed by
former Senator Hill, who stated that
with such a plank in the platform,
New York could not be carried for
the Democratic nominees. He urged
the adoption of a plank which would
enable the Democrats to win in doubt
full states and elect their candidates..
Mr.. Williams withdrew the amendment,
saying that he, with nan other Demo-
Gratis, were seeking harmony and an
adjustment of all differences with a
view of succeeding on a Democratic
platform.
Mr.. Bryan then offered an income-
tax amendment and made a speech in
favor of It. He asserted that, while
votes might be lost among the very
rich, the Democratic party ought to
consider the great mass of the people, |
who bear the burdens of taxation and
the expenses of the government.
Senator Daniel replied to Bryan, and
was very vigorous in his d~enunciation |
Of the course the Nebraska man was
pursuing. He said that he wanted TO
win, and desired a platform which
would bring back to the Democratic
party the voters who left it when pur-
suing a course which MI. Bryan had
shaped and advocated. He was tired CT
being forever in the minority and in
sisted that it would be absurd for DEM
ocrats. facing victory to take any ac>
2tion which would mean defeat. To
lose New York meant defeat.
= Senator Bailey n Senator Tillman,
= while believing in an income-tax, said
hat in view of the statement of the
New York member of the committee 1t
yNuld be unwise to insist upon the
ihcome-tax plan.
Senator Bailey then asked unanimous
consent to have both the income-tax
amendment and the gold standard
plank dropped, but to this Mr.. Hill OBJ
jeeted, and there was a prolonged dis
c~ussion, Mr.. Hill taking a leading part
in it.
Mr.. Hill was opposed to the insertion
of an income-tax plank, because he
saw no necessity for making this new
issue.
II believe" he said, cit will hurt US,
il will weaken your platform, but if the
members of this committee think 9TH
erwise, it should go in; but the Ques-
ton OF the gold standar is of far more
Importance"
Speaking directly to n Southern
members of the committee, Mr.. Hill
rocallad tho TINA Of rennn Sfrnnfinn and