The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1893-08-04
FRIENDS
The Chicago Convention Opened by
the AlsOcates of Bimetal.
ism.
Carter Harrison Welcomes the Dele.
gates and Thomas w. Patterson
Makes Response.
General Warmers Address Upon TAX.
ing His Place as Temporary
Chairman.

CHICAGO, Aug. 2.-The delegates to
the opening session of the national sill
yer convention, a gathering which, ac-
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
camein to deliver an address of well
come without single token of recog-
nition.
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 We're packed with people.
Hearty applause greeted Mayor Har-
rison when he was introduced to the
delegates.
He said the men before him were GER
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 at 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 ''is1ns," not to go
in for fiat 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 it was renewed
when Thomas w. Patterson of Denver
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 shrinkage in
the prices Of stocks of 81, O00, 1000, 900, ex-
tending to all geld 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. Tt
attribute this condition of affairs to the
silver purchase law of the United States
was to magnify mole hill into {
mountain, even if the law were not il
itself beneficial.
Mr.. Patterson spoke in 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 wer,
the conservatives. The present situa
tion could only be arrested by placing
on the statute books the Legislation
recommended by the conservative mel
of the country. The real anarchist
were the bankers. They were turning
the people out of their homes; the,
were dragging down prices and robbin!
everybody of their property. TIL
: American people had the right and the,
would ultimately triumph. A yea
from now they would be singin,
psalms of their triumph.
Mr. Patterson concluded amid tor
rent of applause, and General A.
Warner then began his address as TEN
Y porary chairman. He said in sui
stance:
S Chairman Warmers Address.
: To attribute present financial cond
tions to so called Sherman law implie
y state of ignorance that existed n
where outside of banks, chambers Q