The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-08
AGAINST FREE SILVER
SENATOR PALMER WILL NOT M
DORsE THE ILLINOIS CALL.
State Committee Had No Authority
to Issue Such "a Paper, and DEM
ocrats VIII Not Back 1t.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, April ~7.-Senator
John NJ. Palmer does not approve of the
action of the Democratic State central COM
mittee in calling a monetary convention to,
meet here June A. He says it was an UNI
wise move and does not represent the sem
timent of Illinois Democracy. In an inter-
view to-day he said:
Even if the authority of the committee
to call a convention for the purpose in
Dictated was admitted the present call is
highly injudicious. This is an off year in
politics and no immediate party action is
possible. The Congress elected in 1892 by
the Democrats repealed the purchasing
clause of the Sherman act and did other
work in harmony with Democratic opin-
ion, including a call for an international
monetary conference. The President and
Secretary of the Treasury by a wise and
discreet exercise of lawful powers have
maintained the public credit and the re-
ceipts of the treasury, under the opera
ton of Democratic legislation, are largely
increasing. Nothing more is necessary to
the return of prosperity to the country
to accomplish their beneficial results. 1t is
true the people are suffering under condi-
ocratic party, yet they held it responsible
and the result has been astounding defeat
in the late election.
The most humiliating fact is that the
gentlemen who lately assembled here,
claiming to be representatives of the DEM
ocratic party, refused to await the result
the country. They proceeded to call a con
~vention, which will meet at least a year
any occasion to act effectively for the pur-
pose as they avow. Of committing the party
to free and unlimited coinage of silver
at the ratio of is to /. In other words, the
Z so-called Democratic State pre-
pared to call a convention to commit the
party to silver monometallism and make
that disturbing, dangerous dogma the sin
gle article in the political creed of the
Democracy of Illinois.
You ask if the Democracy of the State
will acquieSce in the action of the state
convention which declares free and uniim-
tied coinage at the ratio of 16 TO l an ar
ticle of Democratic faith. l answer 1t Will
not. All Democrats, so far as L know their
views, are anxious to extend the useful
lieve free coinage on the present ratio
would bring about this result. Another
class do not believe it. They want a dollar
of silver to be made the standard of value
and the legal tender. If they believed free
coinage of silver would produce a dollar of
equal usefulness as a gold dollar they
would not object to the free coinage of
disturbance in values which free coinage
would certainly produce; they will take
part in the convention, but the great Dody
party still represents, in the highest de-
gree. devotion to constitutional liberty and
protection of individual rights under just
and equal laws; maintenance of public and
private credit on the basis of existing val
ues, or as values may be affected by bust
ness changes and conditions. will take no
part in the convention called by the State
committee. These men. will unite and pre-
serve Democratic organization in the State.
They will neither be transferred by chattels
the Democratic party by the action of a
convention called by the State committee
priucip1eSo