Evening star., 1895-06-01

| 1t seems to be the idea of the populists
that this free silver movement Is but a
fash in the pan arranged by some demo-
cratic politician for political purposes sole
ly. and that if failure threatens it by next
election they will drop the movement. 1t
occurs to be in line to absorb the reliable
free silver democrats.
The stand taken by the populists Is
great disappointment to the free silver
people. 1t is reported that Secretary of
State Hinrichsen and Gov. Altgeld are now
in communication with some OF the popu-
list leaders in efforts to prepare set of
resolutions of the silver convention which
will be acceptable to populists and demo-
crats alike. but with little hope of success.
The democratic state convention. which
meets here next Wednesday, will almost
undoubtedly declare for fres silver 1t is
estimated by Secretary of State Hinrichsen.
who is at the head of the movement, that
there will not be 10 per cent of anti-silver
men In the convention.
THE outcome Of that convention" said
Mr.. Hinrichsen. in answer to a question.
will be the complete reorganization of the
democratic party of Illinois on lines laid
down by the convention"
AS Gov. Altseds lieutenant and present
manager. Mr.. Hinrichsen's utterances may
be taken as authoritative for that faction
Of the party.
"In this reorganization" he continued,
1--WE will lose some of our people, Their de-
rarture will be a good thing, as demon
strating the earnestness of the free silver
money democrats will still vote the ticket,
just as the protection democrats in the
north have done when low tariff was on
tCp."
Preparations are being made for a great
free silver gathering. There will be about
1uoD regular delegates, but each large city
is to send marching clubs. and every effort
be made to show the extent of the free sill
Yer strength in the state n. Q. NJ.
GETTING TOGETHER IN MICHIGAN.
Address Issued by the Sound Money
Democrats.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
GRAND RAPIDS. Mich, May 80. 1895.
The advocates of sound money are begin
ming to get together to combat what they
call 1.-The free silver fad" The democrats
are the first to move in the matter, and
this city is the scene of their operations.
They have organized democratic sound
money league, with sucn men enrolled as
John S. Lawrence. John E. More. Dr.
Chas. S. Hazeltine, f. +. Sweet, P. c. Full
Ter, Judge John w. Champln, Dr. G. K
Johnson, A. S. White, w. W. Hyde Gen.
i. c. Smith and others equally prominent
and have issued the following address:
To the democrats of Western Michigan:
We, the undersigned. are opposed to the
free and unlimited coinage of silver by
the United States alone at the rate of 10
to l, this would unquestionably mean
monometallism. forcing out of circulation
S62I .9GS,3GO of gold, which Is more than
half of our entire stock of metallic money
thus producing widespread distrust, great
ly injuring public ard private credit, dis
turbing the commercial relations with for
eign countries, forcing the return of our
securities held abroad, causing financial
distress far greater than that from which
We are just recovering.
Not only would action of tina government
authorizing the free coinage of silver at
the ratio of 16 to l. thus changing the
standard of value used in commercial
transactions, be violation of sound money
principles, but at this time it would be
Singularly ineXpedient.
Better Times Coming.
There are already abundant signs that
healthy commercial conditions will be
reached in a natural way, and when they
have been reached, as they surely will be,
We hope that it cannot be said that the
democratic party did .lot have faith enough
in its own principles to trust cure to their
steady and resolute application.
If We took no higher View Of our duty
democrats than one of mere expedency
sho.ld still be of the opinion that the
adoption Of the principles of popui!sm by
the democta attic party would be grievous
mis- take.
Recent elections show that such a policy
gains no adhereTts 20 the party, but rather
alienates many who refuse ts depart from
the principles enunc!ated by the last ma
tional convention of the democratic party
The Michigan democracy is already pretty
we'll committed to free silver. The cam
pa.gn last fall was conducted on unlimited
free coinage lines, ard Candidate Fisher
went even farther than the populst can
didate in advocating this financial policy.
The state convention at Saginaw last Feb
ruary. to nominate candidates for justice
of the supreme court and regents of the
eF.jt tod MI fDp,-
tanning but single plank, and that de-
clared fer unlimited free coinage. The
free silver element will make mighty
effort to control the next state convention,
and falling in this. SO weak is the organi-
zation and feeble the party discipline,
there will probably be a wholesale deser-
ton if not convention bolt. The demo-
cratic party in this state contains a large
element of old-tirie greanbackefs. and
these are not only free silveri:es to a man,
but they are strong of lung and tenacious
new sound money league to head off this
silver movement and keep The democracy
in the sound money line. following the
principles advocated by Cleveland.
Republicans Also Divided.
The republicans are not entirely happy
on the financial issue 1t is true the party
platforms thus far have straddIed the
financial question. but some of the most
influential members of the party in the
state, including ex-Gov. Luce. James NJ.
Turner, James O'Donnell. Congressman Ait
ken ard J. G. Ramsdell, are pronounced
advocates of silver. This element will en-
deavor to get the state convention to
adopt a silver plank. The sound money
men in the republican camp will organize
to prevent such step. and in all prob
ability will succeed, leaving the party still
on the fence until after the republican ma
tional convention. The republican organi-
zation and discipline Is strong, and even
if the party does not come out for silver
there will not be any serious detection.
Thus far the free silver element have
been organizing non-partisan leagues. II
the old parties turn free silver to the wall
the non-partisan movement may lead 10
the organization of an independent politi-
cal party. with finances the leading issue.
This movement will he one which the re-
publican party managers will rather
courage than otherwise, as the democrats
would lose so many more votes than the
republicans that the election y ould be
virtually walk away.
HILL OPPOSES GREENDACks.
Tho Now York Seminar WOuJd E,xtnr.