The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1895-03-01
FREE SILVER COINAGE.
Silver Democrats Want 1t For
Keynote.
DECLARATION BEING PREPARED.
Bland, Bryan. ~ibIey and Coffeen Inter
viewing House and senate Members 9"
Get Their Views on the Tariff Matter.
1t VIII Catch the PopuIists.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-For some
time there has been a discussion carried
on by the Democratic free silver leaders
over the practicaDility of a plan to unite
their forces and to crystalize their ideas
into some sort Of platform or declara-
ton with free silver coinage as key
note. The net result has been the draft
of declaration addressed Ito the Dem
Ocrats Of the United States and out
lining a financial policy for the Demo
cratic party. This paper has been cir
culated on the Democratic side of the
house and Is being vigorously discussed
with the object of obtaining the census
of opinion of silver Democrats upon its
expressions The chief InstlgatOrs of
the movement are MeSsrs. Bland Mis-
souri,. BRYAN lNebraSka), Sibley Penn
svlvaniaI and Coffeen wyoming.
Their paper y at present but a tentative
expression. they say, and not yet in
form for publication, since none of its
details have been definitely agreed
upon
In substance it states the financial
policy of the party to be for the free
coinage of gold and silver on terms of
equality at the ratio Of I6 to |, for the is
sue OF all paper money by the government
without the Intervention of banks and op-
position 10 any issue of interest bearing
bonds without the authority of d special
act OF congress. Attention Is called t.
a movement said To be under way
through the efforts of the opponents of
free silver IN the party 10 secure the
election of gold men rs delegates to
party conventions and particularly TO
the next national convention for the
nomination of Il single gold standard
man for the presidency. Democrats
are urged to oppose the movement and
to see 10 ii that none but free silver men
are elected u positions of influence i'll
the party and To represent them in all
conventions
If the support of a majority of the
party in congress can be pledged TO d
financial platform, it Is intended TO is
sue the manifesto to the Democrats of
the United States within a few days.
At present the declaration is in but a
formative state, Mr. Bryan says, and IL
l. Intended To secure the views of mem
bers and make such changes in it as the
majority Of them may dictate. There
l. Il possibility that they may not b.
able to agree upon any form of address,
because considerable diversity of Opin-
ION has developed upon the details of
the statement.
But few eastern members have been
approached, and the POpulistS are en-
tIrcly ignored. with the exception that
they viii come into the Democratic
party if it declares for free silver How
far this canvass has been inspired by
the meeting of the executive committee
OF the BImctalhc league, 1t Is impossible
to say, for while the prime movers say
that their plan l. entirely independent
of the league, it Is noticed that they.are
men who have been admitted to the
councils Of that body during its ses-
SiOu~
Representative Davis of Kansas, who
Is a prominent Populist, says that the
more conservative third party men
could adopt a platform for a national
currency Of gold, silver and greenbacks
with the single additional plank of gov
erument control of public works.
Most Of the Democrats who have been
presented Iyvith the first draft of the
manifesto are more or less reluctant 10
discuss the movement, because secrecy
has been enjoined upon them until a
definite agreement shall have been ce-
mented.
Mr.. BRYAN also made an incomplete
canvass of the silver Democrats in the
senate. He did not present any pre-
pared declaration, such a. he thought it
would be wise 10 make, but merely sub
mitted % them the question Of the ad
visibility OF such "A movement, and
suggested among other things that a
joint meeting of the silver Democrats
of the two house be held before ad-
jOurumeut for the consideration of the
matter IL l. understood. that while
many Of the Democratic senators ex
pressed interest in the question, and
al- ~
upon first thought. they should prefer
70 have time To think II over IN all it.
bearings before finally committing
themselves to the project