The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-08-28
A SILVER CONVENTION
MIR. SMITH SAYS THE CALL Is
MEETING WITH A HEARTY
RESPONSE.
THE OBJECT OFF is TO CONFER

And to Get All Advocates of Bi-met'
alIism and Opponents of Gold Mono.
metalIism Together so That They
Nav Consult as to the Best Method:
to Secure the Reconciliation of Sill.
ver--u Will be Composed of Men o.
All Political Parties.
A NEWS AND OBSERVER reporter called
yesterday to see Mr.. Ed. Chambers
Smith to ascertain the facts in regard tt
the proposed silver conference. The
young silver leader, whose hair is sill
yered at the ratio of IS to 1, was read
ing a pile of letters from silver men who
were in favor of the proposed confer
ence.
'sMr. Smith, how is the call for sill
yer convention progressing?" asked the
News AND OBSERVER reporter.
''The tentative call is meeting with a
hearty response all over the State.
am informed that in several towns no
bank officers are signing, and that among
all classes the idea of a gathering of BIZ
metallists is meeting with hearty appro-
val. The truth is that our people are so
monetization of silver as it existed prior
to 1873, when Senator Sherman, at the in
stigatlon of his British clients, got in his
blighting work, that they grasp the OPP
portunity of indicating openly their
desire"
What is the object of the Conven-
tom"
1.-THE object is to get all advocates of
bi-metallism aid opponents of gold
monometalism together, so that they
may consult as to the best methods
to be adopted to secure the re-
monitization of silver; and so
while the convention is called by Dem
ocrats and under Democratic auspices,
the doors are opened for all advocates of
free silver coinage to gather together
and deliberate about the fate of the
white metal. The action of the conven
ton will not bind any one; it will not
sunder any old ties, or forge any new
ones; but it will in no uncertain tones
demonstrate to those politicians, who
propose to throttle the peoples will, the
futility of their efforts. 1t will be a
negativing object lesson to those who de-
clare that our State can be held for gold
monometallism.
when do you think the Convention
will be called ?"
'That has not been decided. /, you
know, am not leading this movement,
but am simply sending out the call at
the instence of leading Democrats here
and elsewhere; who think it wise to have
the meeting.
'The convention will be convention of
the people, with no boss or leader, and
called for the purpose of full discussion.
Such men as Gov. Carr, Sup't. Scar
borough, Judge McRae, s. A. Ashe, W.
81. Day, Armistead Jones, N. B. Brough-
ton, W. N. Jones, F. S. Spruill, B. @.
Beckwith, s. G.. Ryan, s. F. Mordecai,
E B. Barbee, W. @. Stronach and many
other prominent Democrats are leading
this movement here in Raleigh, and un-
less all signs fail, in a short time
a large majority of the leading
Democrats of the State will be heard
from in advocacy of the movement. 1t
is pretty well understood that those who
have connection with the administra-
ton, or for other reasons are goldites,
will do all in their power to deter silver
men from advocating the movement,
but they will not deceive the people, who
will feel sure that those who are not dis
posed to openly express their views in
gathering of this sort, are not at least
warm supporters of the white metal.
They will argue that by their fruits ye
shall know them.
''Do you expect any persons other than
Democrats to attend the Convention ~
'Yes; we expect all friends of bi metal
lism, irrespective of party, to attend.
1t is not to be partizan meeting, but
rather an economic gathering, and all
persons who are opposed to the single
gold standard and who believe in the
free, independent, unlimited coinage of
gold and silver at the ratio of 16 to 1, ,
are included in the call. We expect a
large crowd. What the people want is
some evidence of sincerity on this ques-
ton. Platforms, as made by parties,
are regarded as only made to be broken,
and the earnestness of those who favor
bi-metallism can be shown to great ad-
vantage in this convention. The people
are in earnest in this matter; they are
tired of paying five bales of cotton in
settlement of debt that two bales would
have settled when the debt was made;
they are tired of paying they British
bondholders five days of labor
where they promised to pay two. They
think that it will be better to pay two
days OF labor or two bales of cotton
where three of each was promised than
to have to pay five where two of each
was promised. The people will be at
this convention, and the various party
leaders will also be there, because they
wish to benefit the masses, and they
know that the best means of helping
them is to restore silver to its ancient
place as the peoples money / have
had applications from various parts of
the State for the bill to be
signed, from those to whom none
were sent, and / think you can
safely say that there is as great
unanimity of sentiment in favor of this
movement as OF any that has started in
the State in many a year.