The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-09-05
MR. Pr SON EXPLAINS
rs ,L--4- .-l "
HE WAS A DELEGATE TO THE
LAST NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC
CONVENTION.
COMMITTEES ACTION ON THE
MONETARY PLANK.
He Gives a Full Account of How the
Word "Flree" Got Left Out of 1t.
Villas, Bayard and Nc
.... Pherson Blamed.

Denver, Colo, Sept. l. The Rocky
Mountain News today published an edito-
rial in which Mr. Thomas M. Patterson
gives full account of the action of the
subcommittee of the resolutions at the
last Democratic National convention. The
subcommittee, composed of Mr. Bayard,
Senators MCPHERSON, Villas and Daniels,
John Atkins of Tennessee, L. Il. Gerard
of Georgia, Mr.. Jones of Missouri and
Mr. Patterson of Colorado.
Mr.. Patterson says:
when the monetary plank was first
read and analysed l asserted that it was
uncertain and gave reason to cavil at it's
meaning. 10 remove this uncertainty,
requested that the word free be inserted
before THE words coinage of gold and sill
ver,' etc.
II distinctly stated that we would be
content TO omit the ratio for such coinage
leaving that to congress. What | did
want was to have the Democratic party
clearly and unequivocally committed tic
TRUE bimetallism.
"Senators Villas and Mcpherson opposed
this and SO did Mr.. Bayard. Each gave
his reasons. 1t was not that they were
, opposed to free coinage, on the contrary
they favored it; but the word free as
applied Ito coinage, was SO liable to be mis-
understood in the East and Northeast that
it would, through this Ignorance, lose the
party many votes which should not be
allowed.
'1Mr Bayard was particularly in ear.
nest in asserting his fealty to silver and
told in graphic and pathetic language the
services he had performed for the white
metal"
Mr.. Patterson says THAT after considerh
BILE discussion Mr.. Atkins, professed BIZ
metalist, offered the following substitute
for the money plank:
eve hold to the use of both gold and
silver for the owners thereof without
discriminating against either metal OF
charge for mintage."
Il perceived in moment" continued
Mr. Patterson, that it was declaration
for free coinage as clear as though the
word free was used a dozen times, but
before committing myself turned to Sen
ators Villas and Mcpherson and Mr.. Bay
ard and asked, What do you think Of it,
gentlemen
'"They indicated that they wished to
consider it."
He then conferred with Mr.. Daniels,
who approved of the substitute and who
said in response to the asseruUn that the
other side would not accept: Yes, they
will; they are honorable gentlemen and
when they say they favor free coinage
the word free is dangerous and will
lose the party many votes in the East and
Northeast, they mean it. This amend
ment avoids their only objection and we
should adopt it,"
MIR. Daniels then urged the adoption of
the substitute and was much surprised
when Senator Villas announced against
accepting it, claiming that the Original
Tplank was a defamation for free silver.
"Mr. Atkins also voted against the
substitute"
MIR. Patterson said that Mr.. Whitney
came to the committee and in answer to
a question was told Ito have the word
"free" inserted in the monetary plank.
MIR. Patterson continues: "He studied
Hhe proposition a moment or two and in
very decided tones eXclaimed: That's
a vote-getter.' They did not object tC
that. They let me talk to them about it
He called senators Was aInd Mcpherson
aside and talked with them earnestly fol
five minutes. He returned apparently
quite disappointed and said: It's M
use; they object to the word Stree" be
cause it is very Objectionable in cOnnec
ton with money and they add it would
lose the Democracy some votes.
81 then explained the Atkins amend
ment, whereupon he again said: "Ihey
Will cerCalnly CONSENT w Unut, Ihliin
they will. That's a vote-getter. l will
talk to them about it.
"Again he had am earnest conversa'
ton with Senator Villas, when, returning
looking more crestfallen than at first he
remarked: It's mo use; they will consent
DO no change
"The fight before the full committee
was reported in the press at the time.
advocated the amendment inserting the
word free in the plank. Mr. Bayard and
Senator Villas made several earnest
speeches against it. The amendment was
host. ! CARRIED the amendment into the
convention. 1t was again defeated:
became convinced that Senators Villas
and Mcpherson. with ex-Secretary OF
State Bayard, represented Mr.. Cleve4
lands views and that they fully under
stood each other. The money plank was
a trap to catch free coinage votes foII
Cleveland. 1 made up my mind that
would not walk into the trap with my
eyes open and 90, as soon as possible !
repudiated Mr.. Cleveland and did what
ao.,l1 c., n on, aral Weaver. ~