The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-05-09
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

NobOiutiOhs
Resolved, That we, the democratic
members OF the house OF representatives,
thirty eighth general assembly, favor the
free coinage OF silver at ratio OF 18 to l..
The vote on the resolution stood
ayes, %, nays, o; not voting, 4. An
effort was made to have the body
adjourn as caucus and vote as an
assembly of individual democrats,
but they who had caused the caucus
to be assembled voted the PROPOSE
tion down and bound the members to
! the caucus action.
The next evening Gov. Stone and
Col. Sam d. Cook, chairman of the
executive committee of the state CEN
tral committee, attended the m aatingy
The governor declared himself for
chilly infavor OF free and unlimited
of silver at ratio of 10 to 1. He
declared that the democracy should
proceed aggressively, and said also:
"If l were a member of tn , state
central committee would call con-
vention to- morrow. l am demo-
crat and free coinage silver man."
Col. Cook said that the state CEN
trail committee would issue a call for
convention II the necessary pres
sure would be brought to bear by the
democracy of the state.
Among the speakers were Senator
Yeater, Representative Avery, of
Lincoln, and others. After long
debate resolution was adopted ask
ing the central committee to call
state convention on the silver ques-
ton before the first day of August,
1895. The following is the resolution
adopted:
WHEREAS, The vital question before
the people Of the country to-day is the
money question, and in our opinion the
next presidential campaign will be con-
tested largely upon this issue; and
WHEREAS, The democratic party from
its organization has always been party
OF fbimetallism, declaring that the redemp-
tion money OF the country and the b sis
OF all currency and paper credits should be
both gold and silver, and that such metals
should be coined at the ratio of 16 to /
and
WHEREAS, Since its declaration OF such
position at the democratic state conven-
tion In May, 1894, the agitation upon this
subject throughout the land has become
constant and widespread; now, therefore
be 1t
Resolved, That in order that the democ-
racy OF Missouri may declare its views
upon the money question before the peo-
pie OF the state and nation, that the DEM
ocratic state committee is hereby request
ed to call state convention, TO meet at
some central and accessible place Mt as
early a date as practicable, not later than
August 1, 1895, for the purpose OF such
definition and declaration.
Letters we're received from Gov
ernor Stone, who had not expected
to be present, State Treasurer Steph-
ems and Secretary Of State Lesueur.
Governor Stone, in his speech in the
caucus, more fully expressed the
opinion contained in his letter. His
letter is as follows:
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo-, May 1, 1895.
Hon. Henry s. Julian and Hon.
James ". Sullinger, Jefferson City,
Mo.-Gentlemen Accept my thanks
for your invitation of to- day to attend
the meeting called by democratic
senators and representative to con-
fer upon and discuss the question OF
silver coinage. I regret that my en-
gagements make it impracticable for
me to attend.
1t is needless for me to say that l
am unequivocally in favor of the free
coinage of silver. am In favor of
restoring silver to the coinage rights
1t had under the laws Of the United
States prior to the 30 called demon
etization act of 1878; in other words,
am in favor Of the free coinage Of
the old standard dollar at the ratio
OF 16 to /. l believe in practical as
well as theoretical bimetallism. 1t
follows, therefore, that am in
hearty sympathy with any movement
designed to promote that end. A
clear declaration upon the subject by
a representative body like that which
will assemble this evening cannot
fail to exercise a good influence, as
1t will no doubt be accepted, and
should be, as an expression of the
sentiment of the Missouri democracy.
The president in his recent letter to
a Chicago committee advised that a
campaign of education ou the money
question should be forthwith inaugu-
rated and vigorously prosecuted.
To that entirely agree. The dem
ocrats of Illinois will soon assemble
In state convention to give express
sion to their views upon the question.
The action taken by that convention
will WELD tremendous influence in
molding and directing public opinion
throughout the country. A, strong
declaration In favor OF free coin
age by a body like yours, composed
OF representative democrats will
strengthen the hands Of our party
friends in Illinois and give impetus
to this great movement for justice to
the laboring and producing millions
Of America. There is no doubt
whatever as to the position Of the
Missouri democracy on the question
of silver coinage, believe our state