Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 June 1895 — SILVER BABE IS BORN [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SILVER BABE IS BORN

ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS SPONSORS FOR THE CHILD. Demand the ie to 1 Ratio, and Ask the National Committee to Call a Currency Convention—Policy of the Administration Criticised. Silver in the Saddle. Springfield correspondence: Illinois Democrats in convention declared unqualifiedly in favor of the free coinage of silver at a ratio of 16 to 1 with gold. This declaration was adopted without one dissenting voice from the 850 delegates who composed the convention. The delegates also went on record as being in favor of the holding of a national Democratic convention, to take action on the money question. John P. Hopkins, of Chicago; W. H. Hinrichsen, of Jacksonville; George W. Fithian, of Newton, and L. B. Parsons, of Flora, were named as delegates-at-large from this State to attend such convention if one shall be called by the properly constituted Democratic authorities. By 10 o’clock in the morning the streets were thronged with silverites who had

come from all parts of the State. Blue badges heralding the war cry of “16 to 1” were as numerous as snowflakes in December. Many delegations carried banners proclaiming their belief in free coin-

age of silver and altogether no small degree of enthusiasm prevailed. As early as 9 o’clock the different congressional delegations began holding caucuses in the rooms of the capitol building for the purpose of selecting committees on credentials, rules, permanent organization and resolutions. It was after 11 o’clock when the committees concluded their work and then a stampede was made to get desirable seats. The hall was arranged in regulation gala attire, bunting and flags being draped in reckless profusion. Over the entrance two immense flags were draped. The galleries were filled as soon as the doors were thrown open, a majority of the occupants being ladies. The very first evidence of any enthusiasm by the delegates was when Mr. Hinrichsen walked to the platform. Then a few men near the center aisle clapped their hands. “Billy” O’Brien, of Chicago, jumped on a chair to see what was np. “That’s Hinrichsen,” he shouted. The Cook County delegation began to ap-

plaud, and kept it up until the contagion spread to the country members. Hinrichsen shook his curly head, hut never slackened his pace until he reached the platform. When he took up the gavel the applause drowned the rapping which called the convention to order. This time the secretary bowed right and left. When the noise finally died down the invocation was pronounced by the Rev. F. W. Taylor. Reads Palmer Out of the Party. Then came Mr. Hinrichsen’s speech, which was one of the great sensations of the convention, s Chairman Hinrichsen read the opponents of silver out of the Democratic party in his gpening address. He struck particularly at Senator John when he declared that any man who opposed the State committee had not a drop of Democratic blood in his reins. He appealed all through his speech to the radical element of the convention. He delighted those who are strong in their disapproval of President Cleveland by

mentioning his name in connection with the assertion that the president was neither in accord with the people nor with his party. Bat the telling stroke by the Secretary of State was made when, with

gavel uplifted and head thrown back, he declared that the delegates had the authority to take whatever action they saw fit. The delegates showed their gratification by prolonged cheers. After this incident the convention was with Mr. Hinrichsen at every point. At every remark made by the chairman of the State ebmmittee the delegates let loose an installment of the enthusiasm which had been so judiciously secreted prior to the appearance of Mr. Hinrichsen. Ex-Congressman William J. Bryan, of Nebraska, took tip the denunciation where Hinrichsen left off and drove the convention into a frenzy of enthusiasm by heaping criticism on the head of the national administration. Nor did he stop there, for he went down the line of President Cleveland’s supporters. Gov. Altgeld followed in the, same course, as did exCongressman Andrew J. Hunter. This was the means taken to arouse the enthusiasm of the delegates’,' and it was successful. Crawford for Temporary Chairman. At the close of the address Chairman Hinrichsen introduced as temporary chairman Monroe C. Crawtord, of Union County, who had been recommended by the State committee. Judge Crawford made no remarks except to impress upon the delegates that their action was being watched by every person in the State. He told the delegates that if they wanted free silver to say so, and then announced that he was ready for business. Judge Kramer moved that .the various congressional districts be called that the chairman might name the delegations’ selections for the various committees. It

was carried. Thompson W. McNealy, of Menard County, wanted all resolutions of a political nature referred to the committee on resolutions without reading. Thomas Merritt, of Marion County, protested. He declared that 6uch a move would be gag law and that gag law should have no place in such a convention. Upon this show of opposition Mr. McNealy withdrew his motion. Secretary Bentley then read the list of committees as appointed by the congressional delegations. By unanimous consent Judge Henry S. Miller, of Chicago, and Andrew J. Hunter, of Paris, were added to the committee on resolutions. The convention then adjourned for dinner. The afternoon session began work with little delay. The committee on credentials reported no contests and recommended that the sitting delegates be declared the delegates of the convention. The report was adopted. The committee on rules favored those used by last summer’s convention. This report was also adopted. When the committee on permanent organization reported £*-Judge S. P. McConnell as the permanent chairman, Cook County broke loose. The delegates shouted for the president of the Iroquois Club all the time that Judge Crawford was putting the motion to concur in the report of the committee. Ex-Congressman Nicholas E. Worthington, of Peoria County, Free P. Morris, of Iroquois, and Judge Bell, of Hamilton County, were appointed a committee to escort Judge McConnell to the chair. When he ascended the platform the umbrellas and silk hats of the Cook County men again went into the air. When the applause the Chicago lawyer had died away Mr. Crawford introduced Mr. McConnell. Without delay he began his address to the convention. It was warmly, even enthusiastically, received. He was applauded frequently, and at times so long that the delegates lost the thread of the silver argiment which Mr. McConnell made.

The convention was full of political sensations. The greatest excitement came just before the adjournment of the convention. The passionate speeches had all been made, and the Democrats, who filled every chair and the aisles of the convention hall, were ripe to indorse the action of the resolutions committee. Ex-Con-gressman George W. Fithian was chairman of the committee on resolutions. Resolutions Adopted. Mr. Fithian in a clear voice read the platform. Several times during the reading of the declaration for free coinage he was interrupted while the convention went into transports of enthusiasm. When finally he pronounced the words 16 to 1 the delegates jumped from their seats and threw their hats into the air. For fully five minutes the jiproar lasted. The first outburst died away only to make way for another. The resolutions adopted by the convention and read by Mr. Fithian were as follows: Whereas, Sliver and gold have been the principal money metals of the world for thousands of years, and sliver money Is recognized and used as bonest money between Individuals and between nations not-

withstanding the varying ratio* between ail. ver aDd gold; and. Whereas, The demonetisation of (liver s«« deprived the people of free use and benefits of au Invaluable and original money metal and has Increased debts and added to the burden* of the people by lowering the value of labor and labor products; and. Whereas, The Constitution of the United States prohibits any State from using anything but gold and silver coin as a legal tender for the payment of debts, thereby recognizing that coin composed of allver or of gold Is honest money and fit to be used as a legal tender, therefore, be It Resolved. By the Democrat* of Illinois, In convention assembled, that we are In favor of the use of both gold and silver as the standard money of the United States, and demand the free and unlimited coinage of both metals at the ratio of 16 to 1, without waiting for the action of any other nation, and that such coins shall be a legal tender for all debts, both public and private, and that all contracts hereafter executed for the payment of money, whether In gold, silver or coin, may be discharged by any money which is by law legal tender. Resolved, That we hereby Indorse the action of the Democratic State Central Committee in calling this convention, and we Instruct the committee to carry out the will of this convention as expressed In Its platform by Inaugurating and carrying on a campaign of education In this State and to thoroughly organize the Democracy of the State on the lines as laid down in the platform of this convention. Resolved, That the Democratic members of Congress and members of the Senate from the State be and they are hereby Instructed to use all honorable means to carry out the priuciples above’ enunciated. Resolved. That we request the Democratic Xatloual Committee to call a Democratic national convention to consider the money question not later than August, 1895. If the committee refuses to call such a convention, then we Invite the Democratic State Committees of other States "to take concurrent action with the Democratic State Committee of this State lu calling such convention. Free Silver Delegates. Following are the men appointed by the Illinois Democrats to represent the State

in the proposed national monetary conference: First District—Thomas Gahan, Chicago; F. J. Gaulter, Chicago. Second—P. Kern, Chicago; Thomas Byrne. Third—J. J. Coughlin, Chicago; W. ,T.

O’Brlen, Chicago. Fourth—Thomas E. Gallagher, Chicago; James McAndrews, Chicago. Fifth—John Clancy, Chicago; J. J. Brennan, Chicago. Sixth—H. C. Bartling, Chicago; Frank Agncw, Chicago. Seventh—D. G. Moore, Chicago; J. W. Lanehnrt, Chicago. liranen, Sycamore; Phil Freiler, Elgin. Ninth—M. H. Cleary, Galena; Charles Nleman, Freeport. Tenth—C. K. Ladd, Kewanee; M. J. Daugherty, Galesburg. Eleventh—D. Heenan, Streator; C. S. B.vdla, Falrbury. Twelfth—J. W. Downey, Joliet; G. N. McDowell, Danville. Thirteenth—W. H. Purcell, Champaign; Baird Feltney, Normal. Fourteenth—Charles Fosbender, Lacon; Lute C. Breeden, Lewiston. Fifteenth—C. S. Hearn, Quincy; N. P. Kennedy, Browning. Sixteenth—H. T. Rainey, Carrollton; Sylvester Allen, Bluffs. Seventeenth—W. S. Nelson, Decatur; T. W. McNealy, Petersburg. Eighteenth—Rufus Huff, Sullivan; W. H. Dowdy. Greenville. Nineteenth—George M. Lecrone, Effingham; J. W. Graham, Marshall. Twentieth—W S. Cantrell, Benton; J. R. Creighton, Fairchild. Twenty-first—N. B. Norrison, Odin; E. C. Pace, Ashley. Twenty-second—H. N. Deltrlch, Anna; F. M. Youngblood, Carbondale. Then the list of the delegates-at-large was adopted. The delegates-at-large elect-

ed were: John P. Hopkins, Chicago; Geo. W. Fithian, W. H. Hinrichsen and L. E. Parsons, of Clay County. The alternates chosen were: John Warner, Peoria; John Watson, Galesburg; Gen. Alfred Orendorff, Springfield, and G. C. Whitnell, of Johnson County. After this was done motion was made to adjourn, which was carried. A report originating in Cincinnati, 0., that Minister Edwin Dun, of Ohio, who has represented the United States at Tokio in one capacity or another since ISS4, is to be removed and that J. F. Connelly, late comptroller of Newark, N. J., is to succeed him, is denied at the State Department. The pension of the late Secretary Gresham remained unclaimed for a little over three years and technically has lapsed, but it can be recovered by application and proof that for the three years the disability continued. The amount due is sl.100.

W. H. HINRICHSEN, The moving spirit of the convention.

GOVERNOR ALTGELD.

SENATOR PALMER ON THE STREET.

THE ILLINOIS SILVER CONVENTION IN SESSION AT SPRINGFIELD.

TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN CRAWFORD.

JUDGE NELSON IN AN ARGUMENT.