The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-08-02
THE COHORTS OF SILVER
Largest Assem- blage Of Like Char
acter in the History Of FL
nancial Legislation.
Veterans in the Cause OF the Peo-
pies Money Are In Com
mand.
Permanent Chnirman--H Ii rrIson's
Welcome.

CHICAGO. Aug. 1.-The national oonven-
hon OF the American Bimetsllie league met
At 10 O'Clock this morning In the First
Methodist church auditory. II was the
largest assembly of like character In the
history Of financial agitation. The features
Of many SCARED veterans OF financial aai-
eatton were visible In the Heterogeneous
assembly. Gen. A. j. Warner. Of Ohio.
Of the Bimetallio league; Con-
gressman Bartine. OF Nevada; Congress.
man W. J. Bryan. OF Nebraska; Gov.
Nevada; Senator Shoup. of Idaho;
I. III. Patterson, of Colorado; Gov.
Kolb. poDulist leader of Alabama:
Editor Goodwin. Of Salt Lake; Hss-
man g. Taubensck. OF the executive COM
mittee Of the peoples party; and Senator
Duboise. of Idaho. we're conspicuous among
these.
When Chsirman!W w arner, of the Bimetal-
lilo league. called the convention to order
many Of the delegates wore obliged to stand
In the aisles on account of the smallness of
the hall. Chairman Warner opened the
proceedings BY introducing Mayor Carter
Harrison. Of Chicago. who welcomed the
delegates TO the oity.
II welcome you warmly" said Mayor
Harrison. because believe you have the
good of the country at heart. Some of you
may be rather wild. 1t 10 said that you are
silver !unatics. look down upon you, and
am rather glad 10 welcome such lunatics.
1t il azy men that march the world for
ward and make progress q possibility.
They say that though you believe in bi-
metalism you are ornzy. II the action OF
1873 should be blotted from the annals of
American political action. l believe that
silver would be worth $1.29 an ounce. BE
wise IN your deliberations. but fearless.
Congress 10 about to meet Give the benefit
Of your deliberasion TO congress and tell
Grover Cleveland what the people of the
United States want"
Hon. Thomas Patterson, ohai man Of the
Colorado delegation. responded to the
mayor.
Chairman Warner, Of the Bimetallio
league. then delivered his opening address.
"Ihs Eaost extraordinary oonuition of af-
fairs" said he, meets the assembling Of
this convention. The earth is yielding her
fruitsiA unusual abundance and rich hsr-
vests are being gathered under favoring
the country has there been such
widesI read fear and distress. never
before such q loss Of confidence
and destruction to credit Industries are
everywhere breaking down and laborers by
the tens of thousands are thrown workless
on the streets with want staring them In
the face. Scores Of banks arc driven to
suspension. There has been n shrinkaRe of
hundred millions in the value Of stocks
''To attribute ali this condition 10 the
silver purchasing law is absurd. Under
this law, since $780, $3.50 100000 has been
added TO our cur r'enoy. Does anybody be-
liax,n thok thA ,f 10
makes money scarce and dear :? The real
yely diffsrent from that which
the gold oonspirators intend. II
enables as TO see the beginning Of the
shrnkags in prices, that must take place
trouble 10 in the change in the money
standard. The value OF money may be
doubled either by doubling the weights Of
| standard coins or BY destroying half Of the
metal out of which coins are made. The
establishment of q single gold standard is
equivalent to putting The value of two dollars
into one. II isdoub!ing the unit and putting
property down one-half. This is what 10
going on. To do this and still require the
same number of dollars in payment of
debts and taxes 10 to sanction the spolla-
tion Of Quo class by another"
The afternoon session was held In Central
Music hall. tho auditorium Of which IL
comfort The committee on psrlnansn,
organization reportsd. for permanent
chairman. Allan w. Thurman, OF Ohio; fol
secretary, Joseph Hutchinson. Of Colorado,
with two assistants; also that vice. prssi-
dent be appointed from each state, selection
to be made by each state delegation.
When IL WAS suggested that the roll be
called for the appointment of a COMMITTEES
on resolutions. G. s. Thomas. of Colo ado,
urged that each state name three members
of this committee. one from each OF the
three parties. Paul Vandervoort, OF
Neb aska. objected. He hoped, he sail.
that rarty differences would not
be recognized in this convention.
Fletcher. OF Colorado. said that when the
convention adjourned it would be charge
that ii was under ths domination Of one OF
the three great parties. II WAS for this ren.
son that the Colorado delegation thought
il wise to have one committeeman from
each party. Vanderyoort still objected,
aud was sustained by many others.
1--WE are not here" said he. referring tc
the populist delegates. ITO form new
party or form party on the single silver
issue. Ii that 10 the object or purpose OF
this convention there will be good many
vacant ssRSs."
Ex-senator Reagan OF Texas was called
TO the stage and said In part: "We are
here for The purpose Of trying to relieve the
country from its present embarrassment
and plaoe 10 on footing of prosperity.
We are here as bimetallists. without refer
encs to any distinction OF political parties.
The moment va introduce partisan
; questions into this convention, We throw
J before IL matters which will cause ssrifs
! and impair its work. appeal to the con
vention 10 60 on with Its duties and de-
olsro its purpose of restoring to this ooun.
Try gold and silver coinage. a. II existed
before 1879, and restore the prosperity o
the country, and atterward take care o
party Affiliations"
The sense of the convention was SO over
whelmingly with Regan that Thomas with
I. drew his motion. The committee was thst
I appointed. including: Colorado Ihoma
Z NJ. Patterson; Idaho. G. v. Bryant; Nevada
II. 4. Battine; Montana. Il. ID. Matts; Utah
G. G. Goodwin; Wyoming J. ]. Hunt.
Tho committee on credentials showed
forty-two states and territories represented
=, and $40 dslsuatss entitlsd to seats.
T. V. Powderly, general master workman
knights of Labor. addressed tho convsn
Q tion briefly. ''rwenty-ave thousant
0 knights OF Labor" said he. stand to-da,
! on the verge OF ruin In our western states
Ten Thousand are already idle. and hO,0O
have advised me 10 come here and say tha
the west II In danger from those who woul
!, ds,nouetixe silvs. aud drive It from th
', country Being an American, l belicv
We are capable of managing our owl
. affaira Honorina the flxR and institution