The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-14


Montana, j. A. Normoyle, OF Michigan and
Il. a. ON, of Ohio.
Sergeant -at-Arms- Samuel Alexander,
Official stenographer--J. II. McGurrip, of
Utah.
The committee recommends that eanh
state appoint delegate aa vics- president
TO act ~ permanent member OF the exscu-
tive committee.
CHAIRMAN NEwLANDs' ADDRESS,
A Speech In Which He Tells What tk~
silver states May do.
After the adoption Of the report Of ths
committee. the temporary chairman ~.
pointed committee to escort the newly
elected presiding officer TO the platform,
Mr.. Newlands, on taking the chair, accepted
the duties Of the office in tho following
speech:
1t is difficult for me TO express my apnre-
citation of the honor which you havs con.
ferred upon me. When the unexpected
announcement was made to me yesterday
afternoon that might be selected aa the
presiding officer of this congress, at Arst
declined. stating that would prefer to bo
| on the floor in the contest which mipht
arise. rather than in position OF !
quasi judicial character, and preferred that
this position should be given to ths distin-
Rulshed gentleman from Colorado whose
great labola in the cause OF silver entitled
him to it. That gentleman, however, saw
ut to Htrenuonaly decline it as myself and
in the dilemma there Was nothing for me tr
do but to accept. must say that my ac-
ceptance was rather strengthened this morn
ing BY reading over the speech Of Mr..
Ssarles of California. who was selected
to preside at the first session
of the mining congress, held last
year in Denver, Col. He also was afflicted
with similar modasty. and when the an
nouncement was made to him, he dsclinsd,
One of the representatives from his state,
however, said to him, 10 ne declares In his
speech: 'You old bald headed man, do
you think that this is personal compli-
ment TO your No. II is compliment to
the great commonwealth waicit you repre-
sent" And in that view. accent this po-
sition as a compliment to the state Of
Nevada, which has produced a stewart and
Jones. Applause.
Now, my friends, We are hsre for busi-
ness. and We are here at q Iaoat critical
time, to consider question which not only
involves the mining states of tho union, but
the entire country and the world at large
For we have the satisfaction OF knowing
that the agitation which we urge is franghi
with benefit not only TO tho section which
We represent. but is laden with continued
benefcenoe to mankind and to tho world,
You all know the history of the silver aRi-
tation in this country. You know how the
silver dollar was surreptitiously dropped
from the mint act in 1873. You know how
long it WAS before the country woke 10 the
consciousness of the fatal act, and how de-
termined the agitation was which arose Ii
favor of the restoration OF that time hon
ored dollar. You know that this agitation
has existed for nearly twenty years. snd
that it has found expression repeatedly In
the action OF congress. the senate and the
house alternately voting for froo coinage.
and free coinage bill only beaten by tho
use of executive power.
You know that Nj. Cleveland, slacted
upon platform which called for the use of
gold and silver. had not taken his seat bs-
fore he addressed letter to congress, ad-
visinQ congress to repeal the only Law then
in existence for the coinage OF the silver
dollar-the Bland act of 1873. You remam-
ber that four years later Harrison was
the uss Of gold and silver, the democratic
platform OF that campaign, in obedi-
ence to the will of its master, be-
ing entirely silent on the subject. You
remember the attempts that were InAda
by the republican administration partially
remember the famous bullion redemption
law which made silver mere commodity,
which was favored by Secretary Windom.
as the weak friend Of silver but which was
finally amended so a. to relieve silver In i
large degree OF it's quality az mere con,.-
modify, and restore II in part to an On
larged monetary use.
You are familiar with the history Of ths
which have recently met both
Of which have been obliged to yield 10 the
sentiment OF tho country, and
70 express their will in favor OF bi-mstalliu
coinage a thin. which has not besn o.
plicitly dons III any convention for years,
and yet which studiously avoided TO de-
STARE themselves in favor Of free coinage.
though free coinage Is not inconsistent with
the declaration in either platform. You
Snow that aa matters now stand. judging
~ tina past, and by experisnee. that i
either Mr.. Harrison or MIR. Cleveland 10
slected, and FREQ coinage bill 10 passed. u
veto will bs interpossd. Yon
snow that partially as 4 result OF this ac-
ion upon the part Of the two national con-
'entions, a third party's convention has
'een called. known ~ the peoples party
which has declared itself In un-
terms for silver, but which has
to the country candidate who
lGs been presented in races before and
md beaten whose name does NOS carry with
the prestige OF victory.
Now. this IL an embarrassing position for
he friends of silver. We know the ssnSi-
nent of this section. We know the ssnti-
nent Of the country. We know that ws
ian Garry congress RRninat the powers and
he blandishments Of Wall street. but 10
ear that the ono candidate who IL une-
lutvocally pledged to silysr oannot b0
lected. and we fear that IL either OF Aha
'ther two Ia elected u presidential veto will
~ intsrposed.
Now, what u the duty OF ths friends Of
liver, the representatives Of tho mining
tates, who not only have the interests of
he producing olassss bat also the interests
lpon which their states are founded, 10
,reserye2 This has been matter Of ssri-
'us reflection to me. aa ! presums It has
'aen to every earnest friend of silver. fou
re familiar with the methods OF sfsoting
'reaidsnta. You know thai WHEN the con-
titution WAS adopted il was ths intsntion
hat the electoral college should bs a0in-
'ossd of tho best representative men 1f
he various atatss, who should mset in = ds-
lucrative assembly and thera vote for ths
nan for president irrespective OF party,
nd without party organization, who
fonld best serye tho interests Of the
onntry. In that wsy. II ! Ssc0lltcs Siatt.
ieor9s Washington wss slected, ard u uaA
OF until souie ysAgo eubee0Qane - ~