The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-08-02
The Chicago Convention Opened by
the Advocates of Bimetal.
ism.
Carter Harrison welcomes the Dele.
gates and Thomas w. Patterson
Makes Response.
General Warmers Address Upon TAX.
ing His Place MS Temporary
Chairman.

SVi SOuSeht1oA. d StttiCIauS Which,, az
cording to one of the prime movers of
the affair. Is to sound the first gun for
financial independence from British
dictation," were slow in getting to-
gether at the First Methodist church.
The Iowa delegation, with General j. b.
Weaver marching at its head. was one
of the earliest to put in an appearance.
and the Colorado contingent came close
behind. General Warner, Governor
Waite. Chairman Kolb OF the Alabama
Populists, and Congressman Allan
w. Thurman. Jr., dropped in al-
most unnoticed and hunted up
their respective delegations. While
the convention was getting together
there was an utter lack of enthusiasm.
Not solitary hand clap greeted any Of
the distinguished men when they were
recognized, and even Mayor Harrison
came In to deliver an address of well
come without single token of recog-
n,tion.
Called to Order.
At quarter past 10 o'clock General
A. j. Warner. as president Of the BIZ
metallic league, called the convention
to order. At this time every seat in
the gallery and ON the ground floor had
its occupant and the aisles In the rear
of the house were packed with people.
Hearty applause greeted Mayor Har-
rison when he was introduced to the
delegates.
He said the men before him were cer-
tainly in earnest. Some said they were
wild, that they were silver lunatics. He
was glad TO welcome such lunatics
There had been such lunatics since the
beginning Of history. Mayor Harrison
proceeded to deal Mt length with the
silver question, incidentally paying his
respects to the New York plutocrats.
He urged the delegates not to go wild,
not to create any new ''isms," not to go
In for fat money; let them have but one
cry, but one platform, that the money
of the country should be placed side by
side, gold and silver doing their work
as it was given them to do.
Patterson's Speech.
Mayor Harrison concluded amid pro-
longed applause and 1t was renewed
when Thomas w. Patterson OF Denver
was presented to respond in behalf of
the delegates.
He said that most extraordinary
condition of affairs meets the assem-
blage of the convention. Most pro-
found peace prevailed over the world,
the earth had yielded her fruits in
abundance, and the rich harvest was
being gathered under favoring circum-
stances. There was enough and to
spare and yet never before in the his
tory Of the country had there been such
widespread fear and distrust; never be-
fore such loss of confidence and de-
struction Of credit. Industries every
where were breaking down; laborers by
tens Of thousands were being
thrown on the street with
want staring them In the facs.
Trade was stagnant, business OF all
kinds in state Of semi-suspension.
Scores of banks, most of them prudently
managed, and showing, as they closed
their doors, assets which under ordi-
nary circumstances would place them
above suspicion, were driven into sus-
pension. There was also shrin kage In
the prices OF stocks Of q, 900, ,O00, 900, ex-
tending to all gold countries. Alto
gether the financial situation was un.
paralleled. There must be some ade.
quate cause for such general depres.
sion in the financial condition. To
attribute this condition Of affairs to the
silver purchase law Of the United States
was to magnify a mole hill into a
mountain, even If the law were not in
itself beneficial.
Mr.. Patterson spoke I'M an energetic
strain and was repeatedly applauded.
He said that Chicago and the country
needed conservative council and con.
servative advice. They could get il
from the bi-metallists, for they were
the conservatives. The present situa.
tion could only bs arrested by placing
on the statute books the legislation
recommended by the conservative men
of the country. The real anarchists
were the bankers. They were turning
the people ont Of their homes; they
were dragging down prices and robbing
everybody OF their property. The
American people had the right and they
would ultimately triumph. A year
from now they would be singing
psalms of their triumph.
Mr.. Patterson concluded amid tor.
rent of applause. and General A. j.
Warner then began his address as tenn
porary chairman. He said in snb
stance:
Chairman Warmers Address
To attribute present financial condi
tions to SO called Sherman law implied
state of ignorance that existed M
where outside of banks. chanLers oil
commerce and boards of trade that re
1terate pro torma such deciayations