The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-05-24
FOR ASINCLESTANDARD
Memphis Convention Vigorously
Opposes Bimetallism.
SOME POINTS OF THE PLATFORM.

Would Rejoice Over the Adoption of b.
Country to Bring 1t About by Inde-
pendent Action.
MEMPHIS Tenn, May 24.-About 5000
people were at the sound money conven-
ton at the Auditorium yesterday after
noon when Chairman w. ]. Crawford
called the convention to order. While the
gathering was affecting an organization
and getting down to business the crowd
gradually filled up the vacant seats, aud
by the time Secretary Carlisle began his
address the large hall was comfortably
filled. ....
Mr. Crawford acted in his capacity Of
chairman of committee of fifteen appointed
by the associated mercantile bodies OF
Memphis, under whose auspices the con-
vention is held. In few appropriate
words the delegates and visitors were well
coined to Memphis, the purposes of the con
vention were stated and the work Of or
ganization begun.
DIR. Richard H. Clarke. Of Alabama, pre-
sented the name of Congressman Catch
ings for permanent chairman. In his
speech Mr.. Clarke eulogized President
Cleveland and Secretary Carlisle, his re-
tho iiisp outpufbe 70 va
thusiam seen in the convention.
The selection OF Mr.. Catchings was made
by a unanimous viva voce vote, and the
chairman accepted the honor in graceful
speech
The remarks of the chairman were fire.
quently interrupted by applause. After
the selection OF G. c. Matthews, associate
editor of The Commercial Appeal, as sec
rotary, committee on resolutions was
appointed, and on motion Of U. M. Rose,
of Arkansas, a delegate from each of the
states represented was appointed without
debate ..s...
Secretary of the Treasury John G. Car
Isle was then introduced by Mr.. Catohings,
and as the distinguished Kentuckian
stepped to the front Of the stage the
audience rose to its feet and cheered en-
Enthusiastically for several minutes. After
quiet had been restored the secretary
spoke for two hours to an intensely in
terested audience, his speech being fire.
quently interrupted by outbursts Of np-
plause. The speech was vigorous ar
raignment of the bimetallists and q plea
for the single standard
When the convention reassembled at
p IN. Judge U. NJ, Rose, chairman Of the
resolutions committee, presented the plat
form, which was unanimously adopted
without debate.
The platform favors in the absence Of
international cooperation the retention
of the existing gold standard:
Because change from the gold to the
silver standard would have the effect to
repudiate all public and private obliga-
lions to the extent of the difference be-
tween the bullion value Of the gold and
silver dollar
Because such transition from the gold
to the silver basis would destroy public
and private confidence, and would involve
the country In such panic, confusion and
distress that the products Of agriculture
and the wages of labor would be unremu-
nerative.
because the commercial world would
become improbable and our people en-
gagged in industrial occupations would be
thrown out Of employment.
Because there is not a progressive an
enlightened country in the world which
has not elected gold as the preferable
standard.
Because gold standard countries retain
silver in their circulation on parity with
gold, whereas there is no silver standard
country which can utilize gold as money.
Because there Is not silver country
on the globe where the wages of labor are
sufficient to sustain the working classes
in comfort and independence.
} I'VE would rejoice over the adoption of
real bimetallism, but in view Of the con
tinued fluctuations In the price of silver in
the open market we realize that 1t is i'm
possible for the United States indepen-
IDENTIFY to adopt bimetallic standard, and
we deem 1t unwise and hazardous to the
best interests Of its people for this country
to attempt its establishment"
Resolutions indorsing the work Of the
reform committee on sound currency, of
New York, urging the organization in
southern states of sound money clubs to
carry on the campaign begun at this con-
vcntion.
In response to numerous calls Con-
gresham Patterson made a speech on tho
work of the convention.
At the conclusion of Colonel Patter-
sons remarks resolution was adopted
authorizing the appointment of a commit
tee Of one delegate from each state repre-
scented to superintend the distribution of
proper literature coming under their CON-
troll, the chairman of the committee to be
resident of Memphis, The convention
then adjourned sine die.