The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-23
BRYAN'S PLAN UPHELD
An Interesting Platform
; Adopted at the State
Convention.
MANY REFORMS ARE URGED
OF Course the Resolutions Contain
Some FIattery for the Ad-
miniStration.

OMAHA, NEBR., Aug. 22-The Demo
cratic State Convention here to-day noml-
mated for Associate Justice of the Supreme
Court Charles J. Phelps of COlfax County,
and for Regents of the State University A.
T. Blackburn of Holt County and Robert
Keble OF Dodge County. A free coinage
resolution, offered by x-Congressman W.
j. Bryan. chairman of the committee on
resolutions, was adopted by an overwhelm-
ing majority, but six votes being cast
against it.
AT 10 o'clock this morning the State
Central Committee met. There was only
one contest, that from Boyd County, be-
tween D. w. Forbes and Henry Rusten
myer. The committee decided that Mr..
Forbes credentials were good.
John c. Thompson of Fremont was
selected for temporary chairman and. F. J..
Morgan OF Plattsmouth for temporary Sec
retary. When, after the committee had
adjourned, Mr.. Thompson heard of the
honor conferred upon him, he entered a
vigorous protest, declaring he had come
down to be on the outside and enjoy a
pleasant and harmonious Democratic con-
vention and he objected to working.
The matter of resolutions caused great
deal of discussion. While all were in favor
af the free and unlimited coinage of silver.
there was very decided difference of
opinion as to the way the silver plank
should be worded. Half a dozen planks
were quietly formulated, and all had strong
supporters and just as strong opponents.
All of them were based, or supposed to be,
on the plank adopted at the Democratic
State Convention last year. and there was a
considerable sentiment in favor of simply
adopting it over again.
The gallery was crowded before the con-
vention was called to order, and every
chair on the main floor was occupied by a
delegate or Democrat. The World-Her-
aid sent to Chairman Smyth 500 aluminium
''16 to 1" buttons, which were distributed
to the delegates.
=. 1t was 2:40 o'clock when Chairman
Smyth called the convention to order. 1t
had been decided that Hon. John G..
Thompson of Fremont should be the tenn
porary chairman, but Hon. F. NJ Davis of
Beatrice was named for the position. He
said he did not have his -extemporaneous
speech prepared, and asked for the pleas
IRE of the convention. F. J. Morgan of
Cass County and n. P. Nelson were nomi-
mated as temporary secretary. Commit
tees were appointed as follows: Resolu-
tions-Hon. w. ]. Bryan of Lancaster,
Charles H. Brown of Douglas, c. g. Ryan
OF Hail. Hon. George w. Doan of Douglas,
Hon. C. Casper of Butler C. ]. Bowlby of
Saline and c. 2. Fall of Gage. The COM
mittee on resolutions retired for delibera-
ton, and the convention listened to the
presentation of the claims of two contest
ing delegations from Boyd County.
: The following was the platform written
by Mr.. Bryan and adopted almost unani-
mously, a substitute embodying the coin
age plank OF the Chicago platform of 1892
receiving but six votes:
= We, the Democrats of Nebraska, in conven-
ton assembled, reaffirm our faith in those
principles written in the Declaration of Ameri-
canIndependence and emphasized by Jeffer-
son ana Jackson, namely that all men are
created equal; that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain inalienable rights. among
Which are lie, liberty and the pursuit of hap
Piness; that governments are Instituted among
men to secure these rights, and that govern
IneQts derive their Just powers from the con-
sent OF the governed; and we demand that all
of the departments of the Government, leglsla-
tive and judicial, shall be administered in ac-
cordance with these principles.
I'VE reaffirm the declarations made by the last
Democratic State Convention held in Nebraska
on September 26, 1894.
We believe that the restoration of the money
of the constitution is now the paramount issue
before the country, and insist that all parties
.shar plainly state their respective positions
upon this question, in order that the voters
may. intellIgently express their preference; we,
therefore, declare ourselves in favor of the i'm
mediate restoration of the free and unlimited
coinage OF gold and silver at the present legal
ratio of 10 to 1, as such coinage existed
prior TO 1873, without waiting for the aid or
consent of any other nation, such gold and sill
der coin to be a full legal tender for all debts,
public and private.
We send greeting to our Democratic brethren
throughout the Union, who are making such a
gallant fight for the restoration of bimetallism
and congratulate them upon the progress
made.
We deprecate and denounce as un-American
and subversive of the principles OF free gov
'ernmeht, any attempt to control the action or
policy of the political parties of this country
by secret cabals or organizations OF any char
acter and warn the people against the danger
to our institutions which turks under any such
secret organization, whether based on relig-
l0uS, pOl1t1CaI or OLner QlUeTeUceS OF opinion.
Recognizing that the stability of our institu-
tions must rest on the virtue and intelligence
of the people, we stand; as in the past, in favor
of the free common school system of the State,
and declare that the same must be perpetuated
and receive liberal financial support, and that
the management and control of said school
system should be non-sectarian and non-pa
tisan.
The Democracy of Nebraska approve and
commends the declaration of President Cleve-
land in the past in condemning the pernicious
activity of incumbents of Federal offices under
the Government in attempting to control the
policy and nominations of their parties, and
We hereby recommend the renewal of the
policy of his first administration in that regard.
We affirm the uncompromising opposition
of the Democratic party to the fostering aid by
the Government, either National or State, of
chartered monopolies, and declare it as the
recognized policy of the party from the days of
Jefferson and Jackson To watch with the ut
most jealousy the encroachments of corporate
power; and we are in favor of such legislation
as will insure q reasonable control by the State