Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-02
CALL TO DEMOCRATS.
Bryan's Proposed Conference Of Free.
SilTehteS Abandoned.
BrMErALLIsM AT PRESENT RATIO.
The Rank and File Of the Demo-
cratic Party should Assert Them
.e,ve-The single Gold standard
Dissstrous-The Recent Defeat.

WASHINGTON. March 1.--Representa-
tive Bryan, Of Nebraska, abandoned a, a
late hour this afternoon his intention OF
securing a conference OF the free-silver
Representatives and senator's with view
to Issuing a call to the Democrats OF the
country. laying down the proposition that
a majority OF the Democrats favor the
free and unlimited coinage of silver. and
calling upon this majority TO take control
OF the party organization. lie decided In
stead to circulate the call among such OF
the House Democrats as favor the free
coinage OF silver, with a view to securing
their endorsement.
About twenty gentlemen had signed at
tn. hour OF adjournment. These were
representatives OF fifteen States. Mr.
Bryan's purpose being to widen interest
in the call as much as possible. A num-
ber OF Democrats declined TO sign for one
reason or another but AIR. Bryan believes
that In the END n very considerable num-
Der will affix their signatures to the pa
per-
copy OF the call will be circulated In
the Senate tomorrow. IL Is presented
only to Democrats, and not TO Populists
or TO free-silver Republicans. Mr.. Bryan
believes that IL this matter be squarely
presented to the Democratic voters OF the
country the effect will be- seen In the party
organizations in future campaigns, and
that II will result In Swing the control OF
the party machinery 10 the men who real
ly represent the majority, NANNY the
free-silver element.
THE CALL.
The call is addressed. ITO the Democrats
OF the United States" and reads as fol-
lows:
1--WE, the undersigned Democrats. pre-
sent for your consideration the following
statement:
I'VE believe that the establishment of
gold as the only money standard and the
elimination of silver as full legal-teh-
der money win increase the purchasing
power OF each dollar add to the burden
of all debts. decrease the market value
of all other forms OF property, continue
and intensity business depression. and.
finally, reduce the majority OF the peo-
pie to financial bondage.
I'VE believe that no party can hope for
enduring success In the United states
so long as IL advocates single gold
standard, and that the advocacy OF such
financial policy would be especially
fatal to party which, like the Democratic
party, derives its voting strength from
those who may without reproach be called
the common people; and we point TO the
overwhelming defeat OF the party In 1891
to the opposition aroused by the veto or
the seigniorage BILL and to the still more
unanimous protest against the issue or
gold bonds as proof that the Democratic
party cannot be brought to the support
OF the gold-standard policy.
"We believe that the money question
win be the paramount issue In 1876. ana
will so remain until It is settled by the in
tellgence and patriotism Of the American
voters
1--WE believe that a large majority or
the Democrats OF the United states FAVOR
bimetallism. and realize that 1t can only
be secured by the restoration of the free
and unlimited coinage OF gold and silver
at the present ratio, and we assert that
the majority have. and should exercise.
the right to control the policy OF the
party and retain the party name.
DEMOCRATIC DUTY.
1--WE believe that II II the duty or the
majority, and within their power, to take
charge OF the party organization. and
make the Democratic party an effective
needed reforms II is not necessary that
the Democrats should surrender their
convictions on other questions In order
10 take an active part In the settlement
OF the question which at this time sur
passes all others In importance.
1--WE believe that the rank and file or
the Democratic party should at once
assert themselves In the Demo-
cratic party and place the party
on record in favor OF the immediate re-
storation OF the free and unlimited COIN
age OF gold and silver at the present
ratio OF l6 to /. as such coinage existed
prior to 1873. without waiting for the
aid or consent OF any other nation. such
gold and silver coin TO be a full legal
tender for all debts. public and private.
we urge all Democrats who favor the
financial policy above set forth to asso-
ciate themselves and impress their views
upon the party organization; we urge
all newspapers In harmony with the above
financial policy to place IL at the head
OF the editorial column and assist I'm the
immediate restoration OF bimetallism."
NEWSPAPER ENDORSEMENT.
THE signatures to the call were not
made public. but II can be stated that
Evan y. Howell. editor OF the Atlanta
Constitution, while in the city tonight.
signed the document, and said the Con-
stitution would take up the fight on the
lines laid down In the call. The Omaha
World Herald, OF which Congressman
Bryan Is editor. will also endorse IL.