The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-06-06
FREE COINAGE THEIR DEMAND.
THE ILLINOIS sILVERITEs HOLD
THEIR CONVENTION.


structed 10 Request the National
Committee TO Call a National silver
Conventional Full Attendance of
Delegates.
Springfield. Ill, June 5.-Had Il not been
for the timely action of Secretary of State
w. II. Heinrichsen, who issued the call
for to-day's Illinois democratic silver con-
vention, the event would have ended in
a row.
1t all came about because Of plank in
the resolutions indorsing Gov. Altgeld.
1t had been expressly agreed before the
convention was called to order that there
was 10 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 delegates to a national
convention to be held some time in the
near future.
The trouble began in the committee
room, where tho platform was being pre-
pared. Ten members of the committee
voted for the Altgeld plank and nine
against its insertion. The plank was put
in. The platform had been read by ex-Con-
gresham Fithian, chairman Of the res,
olutions committee, a firm friend of the
Altgeld plank. a storm of protests had
arisen all over the hall, and it looked as
if the peacemaking silver convention of the
west would end in a schism which would
be fatal to the future of the white metal.
At this juncture Secretary Of State Helm
richsen arose and waved his hand, and
instantly the uproar was hushed. Gen
tlemen," he said, II have personal re-
quest to make of you. I do not believe
there is anybody in this hall who has
any more right TO make such request
than 1 have. 1t is this: that the part of
the resolutions indorsing Gov. Altgeld be
stricken out, and for this l ask unanimous
consent. The members of the state ad-
ministration did not expect to be indorsed
by this convention. either as individuals
or as a whole. If such Endorsement were
made, the object Of this convention would
be nullihed."
Judge Samuel II. Mcconnell, the per-
n,snent chairman of the convention. toln-
ed MS request to that of Mr.. Henrichsen
.AA'A NAAAAA AA4eAAA AN.l4du. without even walt
ing Tor the convention to ratify his re.
quest, read the resolutions over again. thie
time leaving out the Objectionable para.
graph. Then the delegates adopted the
platform with a yell.
There was a full representation and
abundant enthusiasm
EX-Congrossman Bryan's speech was
the feature of the day and he, with diff
Guilty, continued on account of the an.
plause. The platform follows:
Whereas, silver and gold have been tbs
principal money metals of the world for
thousands of years and silver money
recognized and used as honest money be.
tween the nations Notwithstanding tn.
varying ratios between silver and gold.
and,
Whereas, the demonstration of silver
has deprived the people of the free use
and benefits of an invaluable and original
money metal, and has increased deh4a
and added to the burdens of the people
by lowering the value of labor products,
and,
Whereas, the constitution of the United
States prohibits the use of ANYTHING but
gold and silver coin as legal tender for
the payments of debts, thereby recog-
nizing that coin composed of silver an j
gold as honest money and fit to be used
as legal tender; therefore, by the de-
mocraey of Illinois, in convention assem-
bled, 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. coinage of both
metals at the ratio of 16 to /, without wait
ing for the action of any other nation. and
that such coins shall be a legal tender for
all debts. both public and private, and
that all contracts hereafter executed for
the payment of money whether in gold,
silver or coin, may be discharged by any
money which is by law a legal tender
We hereby endorse the action of the
democratic state central committee in call
ing this convention, and we instruct the
committee to carry out the will of this
convention, as expressed in its platform.
by inaugurating and carrying on a cam
paign of education IN this state. and 10
thoroughly organized the democracy of the
state on the lines laid down in the plat
form of this convention
Resolved, That we request the democ-
ratio national committee to call a demo-
cratic national convention to consider the
money question not later than August.
1895. If the said national committee re-
fuses to call such convention, then we in
Vite the democratic state committees of the
other state to take concurrent action with
other states to take concurrent actin with
the democratic state committee of this
state in calling such convention.
Resolved, That the democratic members
of congress and the members of the senate
from this state be and are hereby in
structed to use every honorable means to
carry out the principles above enuncia ted.
This mornings trains visibly augmented
the number of delegates to the
convention, and the prospect of ii
being a success were correspondingIy in
creased. At one time it looked as if the
country was holding back and that the
representation outside of the city dis
trict would be so small as to seriously
affect the standing of silver in the state
of Illinois.
But all fear of this was at an end when
the delgates assembled in the commodious
hall of representatives in the capitol at
noon to-day. Every delegate who valued
his standing with his fellows wore on his
coat badge shaped like an inverted tri-
angle, the apex of which was a small
gold nugget, and the remainder sixteen
Jumps of silver. Besides this each man
carried a broad blue badge telling for
what he was here.
Secretary of State Henrichsen by virtue
of his Office as chairman of the democra tic
state central committee, called the meet
ing to order.
The committee on temporary organiza-
tion reported the following recommends
tiOng which were adoDted.