The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-06-12
THE SILVER BALL
ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS START 1T
ROLLING.

ROLLING.
Proceedings Of the Great Free Silver Con-
yention in SprinSfield--A Row Narrowly
Averted--Wiu Democracy Unfurl the
Banner.
SPRINGFIELD. ILLS, June Had 1t
not been for the timely action of Secre-
tarv of State W. II. Hinrichsen, who
issued the call for the Illinois Demo
cratic silver convention. the event
would have ended in a row. 1t all
caule about because of plank in the
resolution endorsing Governor Altgeld
It had been expressly agreed before
the convention was called to order that
there was to be no action taken outside
of that for which the call provided
the placing of the seal Of approval on
free coinage and the election of dele
gates to a national convention to be
held some time in the near future.
The trouble began in the committee
room, where the platform was being
prepared. Ten members voted for
the Altgeld plank and none against
the insertion. The plank was put IN.
The platform had been read by ex-Con-
gresham Fithian, chairman of the
resolutions committee, firm friend of
the Altgeld plank. A storm of protests
had arisen all over the hall and 1t
looked as if the peacemaking silver
convention of the West would end in
a row, which would be fatal to the fu-
ture of silver. At this juncture, Rim
richsen arose and waved his hand and
instantly the uproar was hushed.
"Gentlemen, he said Il have a per
sonal request to make of you. do
not believe there is anybody in this
hall who has any more right to make
such request than / have. It is this:
That the part OF the resolutions endors-
ing Governor Altgeld be stricken out
and for tbs I ask unanimous consent.
The men bels of the State administra-
ton did no. expect to be endorsed by
this convention. either as individuals
or as whole. If such endorsements
were made, the object of this conven-
ton would be nullifed.
Judge SamuelH. Mcconnell, the per-
manent chairman of the convention,
Joined his request to that of Mr.. Hen
richsen, and Chairman F'ithian without
even waiting for the convention to rat
ify the request, read the resolutions
over again, this time leaving out the
Objectionable paragraph. Then the
delegates adopted them with yell.
There was full representation and
abundant enthusiasm. Ex-Congress-
man Bryan's speech was the feature
of the day and he with difficulty con-
tinued on account of the applause.
The platform follows:
Whereas, silverand gold have been
the principal money metals Of the
world for thousands of years, and sill
yer money recognized and used as
honest money, between nations not
withstandilg the VARYING ratios be-
tween silver and gold, and, whereas
the demonstration of silver has de-
prived the people of the free use and
benefits of an Invaluable and original
money metal and has increased debts
and added to the burdens Of the peo-
pie by lowering the value of labor,
products, and, whereas, the constitu-
ton of the United States prohibits the
use of anything but gold and silver
coin as legal tender for the payments
of debts, thereby recognizing that coin
composed of silver and gold is honest
money and for it to be used as legal
tender, therefore, by the Democracy OF
Illinois, IN convention assembled, be
it.
Resolved, That we are in favor of
the use of both gold and silver as the
standard money of the United States
and demand the free and unlimited
coirere Of both metals at the ratio of
Is to 1, without waiting for the action
of any other nation and that such
coins shall bea legal tender for all
debts both public and private, and that
all contracts hereafter calling for pay
ment Of money whether in gold, silver
or coin, may be discharged by any
money which is by law legal tender.
We hereby endorse the action of the
Democratic State committee calling
this convention and we instruct the
committee to carry out the will of the
convention as expressed in its platform
by inaugrating and carrying on cam
paign of education in this State and to
thoroughly organize the Democracy
of the State on the lines laid down in
the platform of the convention.
Resolved. That we request the Dem
ocratic national convention to call a
Democratic convention to consider the
money question not later than August.
If the national committee refuses to
call such convention then invite the
Democratic State committees of other
States to concur in action with the
Democratic convention of Illinois.
Resolved, That the Democratic mem
bers of Congress and members of the
Senate from this State be and are here
by instructed to use, every honorable
means to carry out the principle above
enunciated.
This mornings trains visibly aug
meatej the number Of delegates to
the Democratic silver convention and
the prospects of its beinga success We're
correspondingly increased.
Secretary Of State Hin::chsen by
virtue of his Office, chairman of the
Democratic State Central Committee,
called the meeting to order
When Chairman Crawford had
finished his speech, a delegate from one
of the country towns of the State made
a movement to stop all abuse of Cleve-
land or praise of Altgeld out of the
convention by introducing resoiu-
ton that all resolutions of political
nature offered to the convention bere-
ceived and be referred to committee
on resolutions without being read.
Thomas Merritt, of Marion, was on his
feet in an instant and strenuously OBJ
iected to having what he called the