New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-08
A SECRET SILVER SOCIETY.
THE patriots OF AMERICA" TO WORK
FOR FREE COINAGE AT 1s TO /.
MATED BY ". H. HARVEY TO FIGHT
FOR SILVER NEXT YEAR.

FOR SILVER NEXT YEAR.
Chicago. Dec. GpecaD.-Tne free-sver lead
ers Of the country have arranged for the marshall
ling Of their forces under tactics long since in
disrepue in American politics. BY means OF
secret political order or society. which will be In
corporated under Illinois laws in few days. they
hope to control the election of 1896, and to die
tate terms to one or both OF the great parties
The new order Is to be known the Patriots
Of America and will have as its main object the
restoration of the free coinage of silver at l6
to | ratio. II owes It's origin to w. II. Harvey,
author Of Coins Financial School," and is also
backed by the National Bimetallic League. the
Western mine owners and the friends and ad-
vocates of free silver generally.
The plans OF the promoters Of the movement
have been laid quietly that all publicity has
been avoided and it is only within the last few
days that the name Of the order, even. has been
known 10 any one outside the intimates OF
Coin" Harvey and the Bimetalc League
Probably 1t would not have been made public
now but for the active patronage given printing
houses in getting out the literature Of the order
Chicago will be the headquarters of the organiza-
ton. and its policy Is Of such character as to
command the attention of the public, from its
bodness. II nothing else.
The success of Harveys free-sllver lite"ature
has brought him into prominence and made him
practically the leading light in the radical BIZ
metallic movement. He has maintained ex-
pensive offices in the Fort Dearborn Building in
this city and has been active in the dissemina
ton OF free-siver literature His ambition, how
ever. appears not to have stopped at this point,
for he conceived the idea Of secret political
order in the cause OF free silver. which has now
assumed tangible form, and which will give him
commanding influence in the campaign of SO
among those who favor a change in the financial
policy of the Government.
THE CHICAGO BUREAU AT WORK.
Harvey's publications attracted the attention Of
the friends OF silver and made Chicago the head
quarters of the free silver propaganda Last
summer il free-silver bureau established
here backed by Western capitalists, with
Representative II. +. Bartne. OF Nevada. and f.
b. Light. well-knOwn Western man, in charge.
Under their direction the National Bimetallic
League was organized and they also began the
publication Of a weekly paper. The National
Bmetallist." A canvass was made of every
county in the United States. except those in
New-England, and thousands Of letters went out
from Harvey's office to leading men of all par
ties. who It was thought. could be trusted"
The letter in question read as follows:
Dear Sir We wish to know the name Of one
reliable Jealous patriotic man in each county
in your State, in hearty sympathy with our
cause with whom Mr.. Harvey wishes 10 COM
muncate at once concerning the organization OF
our forces. While you may not be able to fur
nish all the names desired. yet please make
the list as complete you can. and we will push
the inquiry through others. Give the name or
no one who is not reliable and earnestly at
tached to our cause. We do not want the name
of any who is partisan. or who Is likely to
follow his party. should ii 20 wrong on this ques-
ton The names do want are those who
would bolt their party in case it declared In favor
Of the present financial policy Of the Government,
equivocated on the subject.
PLANS OF THE LEADERS
These letters were sent out in September and
ELECTED replies from every part of the country.
The free silver champions propose through the
order. to establish a permanent organization In
every county in the United States. with men,
bers pledged 10 support only the party and can
didates known to be unalterably in favor Of the
restoration OF free silver coinage at the 16 to
ratio The literature of the Patriots Of Amer
lea" points out what is termed the danger TO
American institutions through the dominance OF
foreign monetary interests" and appeals TO all
patriotic Americans to throw aside party lines
and adopt financial system on bimetall!c
basis over one thousand local organizations,
representing every section Of the country. are
ready TO receive their charters the first Of the
year and will obtain the ritual and other work
ing material from he Chicago headquarters.
No special party has apparently been selected
TO act as the sponsor 10 this movement, but II
seems rather to be effort In the direction of
establishing free silver party for the campaign
OF sc Its promoters in thirty or more States
represent Republican. Democratic and Populist
faith and include among their number men Of
prominence If II Is found impossible TO swing
either of the great parties into line for free
silver. the present plans call for National con-
ference of silver men early In the summer OF
49, and the nomination of separate ticket
for the Presidential campaign. Details OF this
proposed action will be elaborated at the meet
ing to be held here this month.