The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-02-27
SILVER MEN AT WORK.
Congressman Buttonholed In the Interest
of New Party.

of a New Party.
Washington, Feb. 26.-Routine mat
tiers on the floor of the house were over
Swallowed in interest today by the ini-
tiation of a brisk movement to secure a
majority of the Democratic member
ship in favor of a financial policy hay
ing the free coinage of silver for its
key note. For some time there has
been a discussion carried on by the
free silver leaders of the party over the
practicability OF q plan to unite their
forces and to crystaliZe their ideas in
to some sort of q platform or declara-
ton. The net result has been the draft
of a declaration address. ITO the Dem
ocrats of the United States" and out
lining a financial policy for the DEM
ocratic party This paper has been
circulated on the Democratic side OF
the house and is being vigorously dis
cussed with the object of obtaining the
consensus of opinion of silver Demo
Gratis upon its expressions. The chief
instigators Of the movements are
Messrs. Bland (Mo), Bryan (Neb).
Sibley Penn), and CcGeen (Wyo.b
Their paper is at present but u tenta-
tive expression, they say, and not yet
in form for publication, since none OF
it's details has been definitely agreed
upon. In substance it states the finan-
cial policy of the party to be for free
coinage of gold and silver on terms Of
equality at a ratio Of 16 to l: for the
issue of all paper money by the gov
eminent without the Intervention Of
banks. and opposition To any issue Of
interest bearing bonds without the au-
thority of special act of congress
Attention is called TO a movement
said to be under way through the eff
forts OF the opponents of free silver IN
the party to secure the election OF gold
men as delegates to party conventions
and particularly to the next national
convention for the nomination Of a
single gold standard man for the presi-
dency. Democrats are urged 10 Op-
pose the movement and to see TO II that
none but free silver men are elected TO
positions Of influence in the party and
to represent them in all conventions.
If the support OF a majority Of the
party IN congress can be pledged 70 a
financial platform, IL Is intended TO IS
sue the manifesto to Democrats Of the
United States within a few days At
present the declaration is IL hut
formative stage. BIr. Bryan says, and
II IS intended to secure Tne views OF
members and make such changes Fl IL
as a majority Of them may dictate.
There is a possibility that they may be
able to agree upon any form Of ad-
dress. because diversity OF opinion has
developed today upon tee details OF
the statement
But a few eastern members have been
approached and the Popul.sts are en-
tirely ignored with the expectation
that they VIII come into the Democrat
ic party il il declares for free silver.
How far this canvas has been inspired
by the meeting Of the executive com
r1littee OF the timetable league, il IS
impossible 70 say, for While the prime
movers say that their plan Is catirei-
independent OF the league II Is noticed
that they are men who have been ad-
rnitted TO the councils Of that body
during its session
Representative Davis of Kansas. who
Is a prominent PopUiist says that the
conservative third nssG could adopt q
platform for a national Currency o. gold
silver and greeabacks with the single
additional plank OF government coz
troll OF public works
Must OF the Democratic mem fers
who have been presented with the Giait