The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-08-10
last national platform of all pOlitica


parties.
Your committee further recommend
| that this convention Immediately APP
point committee composed OF one
member from each state and territory,
to be selected by respective delega-
tions to act in conjunction with the
American National Bimetalic League,
Jointly, to devise plan and provide
ways and means for impressing ON con-
gress and the people the impending
perils from financial characterization OF
Silver aud the adoption of a single gold
standard.
The platform was briefly explained
by Chairman Reagan, who then
moved It's adoption, but there were
luuI protests from picturesque Carl
Bro Tn of California who objected to
the second clause of the resolution
wherein he alleged the committee de-
clared gold and silver to be the basis
OF all money. He thought land should
also be regarded as basis OF money.
! his met the unanimous approval OF
the populists and for a moment 1t
seemed that the amendment would
sweep the convention. Donnelly oh
tanned the floor and said the gentle
man had made mistake. The reso-
buttons only state that the constitu-
ton OF the United States declares gold
and silver 10 be the basis of money.
He is offering an amendment to
the constitution of the United
States great laughter. We
are Il great body OF men, but
we cannoC amend the constitution of
the United States. Il YIELD" s6i1
Brown gracefully, Ito the gentleman
who cotnpels us TO believe by force OF
his genius that Shakespeare did not
write his immortal works." Uproarous
laughter.
Il would simply say" retorted DON
nelly quickly, as the audience reared at
Mr.. Browns sally, that this scene re-
minds me of the time when all fools in
Spain laughed at Columbus for want
ing to go discover America" Great
laughter.
II YIELD" said Brown once more, Ito
the man who, greater than Columbus,
has discovered a lost continent in the
Atlaptic.' The laughter which greeted
this graceful rejoinher of the Califor
man was SO great that Donnelly also
joined in the merriment over the allu-
sion to his remarkable book.
Brown withdrew the amendment,
but Scott OF Kansas demanded that
Donnelly quote the section of the con-
stitution that declared gold and silver
the only basis of money. Great con.
fusion ensued, many delegates en-
deavoriDg to howl Scott down, but
that gentleman persisted. Donnelly
quoted in justification of the interpre-
tation of the restrictive section of the
constitution which prohibitsany state
from making anything but gold and
silver legal tender tor payment of
debts.
Cyclone Davis of Texas finally
proposed an amendment to the clause
III question which was accepted as sat
isfactory to all. 1t struck out OF the
second clause of the platform
the word "basis" and inserted in
lieu thereof the words STANDARD of
Value" Hon. A. j. Warner favored
the amendment and it was finally ac-
cepted by committee and unani-
adopted to the great triumph
of the original DIRECTORS, Scott of Kan
sas and Brown OF California.
On motion of Mr.. Reagan the reso-
buttons were adopted by reclamation.
Onmotion of Mr.. Bryan of Nebraska
the address of Chairman Warner yes
terday was adopted as the address of
the convention to the American peo-
pie.
On motion of Mr.. Warner the COL
vention adjourned sine die.