Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-02
Abandons His Effort to Have a
 Free Silver Conference
AND ISSUES A CALL INSTEAD
Which He Has Had Circulated in the House-Several
 IndorserS.

WASHINGTON, March 1.-Representative Bryan of Nebraska abandoned at late hour this afternoon his intention of secur- ing conference of the free silver repre- sentatives and senators with view to is- suing call to the democrats of the coun- try, laying down the proposition that a majority of the democrats favor the free and unlimited coinage of silver and calling upon this majority to take control of the party organization.
 He decided instead to circulate the call among sucl of the house democrats as favor the free coinage of silver, with a view to securing their inducements. About twenty gentlemen had signed at the hour of adjournment. These were representa- tives of fifteen states, MT. Bryan's purpose being to widen in the class as much as pos- sible. A number of democrats declined to sign for one reason or. another, but MT. Bryan believed that in the end very con- siderable number will affix their signatures to the paper. A copy of the call will also be circulated in the senate tomorrow.
 It is presented only to democrats and not to popuists or to free silver repu blicans. MT. Bryan believes that if this matter be squarely presented to the democratic voters oi the country the effect will be seen in the party organizations in the future cam- paigns, and that it will result in giving the control of the party machinery to the men who really represent the majority, mainly the free silver element.
 The address to the ''Democrats of the United States' reads as follows:
 ? ssaWe, the undersigned democrats, pre- sent for your consideration the following @ statement. We believe that the establish ment of gold as the only monetary standard and the elimination of silver as full legal tender money will increase the purchasing power of each dollar, add to the burden of all debts, decrease the market value of all other forms of property, continue and in- tensify business depression and finally re- duce the majority of the people to financial bondage.
 2. "We believe that no party can hope for enduring success in the United States so long as it advocates a single gold stan dard, and that the advocacy of such financial policy would be especially fatal to party which, like the democratic party, derives it's voting strength from those who may without reproach be calledI the common people, and we point to the overwhelming ton aroused by the veto of the seigniorege bill, and still more, the protest against the issue of gold bonds, as proof that the dem- ocratic party cannot be brought to the SUD- port of the gold standard policy.
 s'We believe that the money question will be the paramount issue in 1896, and will remain so until it is settled by the in- telligence and patriotism of the American voters.
 "We believe that large majority of the democrats of the United States favor bi- metallism, and realize that it can only be secured by the restoration of the free and unlimited coinage of gold and silver at the present ratio, and we assert that the major ity have and should exercise the right to control the policy of the party and retain the party name.
 "We believe that 1t is the duty of the majority and within their power to take charge of the party organization and make the democratic party an effective instru- ment in the accomplishment of needed res forms. It is necessary that the democrats should surrender their convictions on other questions and not take an active part in the settlement of the question which at this time surpasses all others in importance.
 .We believe that the rank and file of the democratic party should at once assert themselves in the democratic party and place that party on record as in favor of the immediate restoration of free and unlimited coinage of gold and silver at the present ratio of 16 to 1, as such coinage existed prior to 1878, without waiting for the aid or consent of any other nation, such gold and silver coin to be a full legal tender for all debts, public and private.
 'tWe urge all democrats who favor the financial policy above set forth to associate themselves and impress their views upon the party organization. We urge all news. papers in harmony with the above financial