Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-26

Chairman MaRtfs Reasons for Not
Calling Monetary Conference.

Chairman Mafhtt's Reasons for Not
Calling Monetary Conference.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, ], ne 26.-Chairman c.
c. Maffitt of the democratic state central
committee has mailed TO each county chair
man in. Missouri an address, of which the
following is a part:
your state democratic committee having
noted through the public press that some
Of the enthusiasts in behalf of the free
and unlimited and unconditional coinage of
silver at the ratio of 10 to l were clamor-
Gus for a convention Of the democratic
party in this state for the purpose of CIV
ing expression of sentiment upon that to
the exclusion of all other important ar
ticles of the democratic creed, convened
on the LIST Of June. with the view of cam
wasting the policy. propriety and wisdom
Of committing the party by Its action to
such an unusual and unprecedented pro-
ject. Upon the assembling of full COM
mittee the general phase of the subject
was considered and thoroughly canvassed,
the arguments for and against having
been patiently heard and carefully and
dispassiorately weighed. The judgment of
the committee was registered against the
calling Of convention by the decisive
vote of 10 to ).
1T is due alike to this committee and to
you in behalf of the good of the party to
briefly outline the reasons which Influenced
1t In deciding against such convention,
as well as some of the more important
views urged in Its favor which were con-
sidered by this committee"
The chairman gave as reasons that to
call a convention for the purpose of for
mulating a declaration of belief solely
upon single one Of the national issues
might be justly construed an abandon
ment of all others; that it would create
schsmS, oStracSm and anarchy; that
neither tradition nor usage afforded a pre-
cedent for a convention to predeclare upon
any subject which must be dealt with by a
regular convention that puts forth a decla-
ration Of principles for its party candi-
dates; that the committee did not feel
clothed with the power to call sucn a con-
vention. Continuing the address he says
1T was argued that If such convention
declared in favor of the free and unlimited
and unconditional coinage of silver at 16 to
i 1t would give an impetus to that senti-
ment in other states and help on the cause.
The result Of the election following ad-
monishes US that we must be careful to
be strong at home before we lend strength
to our neighbors.
ut was argued that by timely doclara-
ton upon the silver question and in the
right way might be able to reclaim
those who had strayed away from the
fold into the populist party. 1t was then
answered that If We commit the demo-
cratic party to this single issue, the one
very conspicuous in the populist platform,
might not that party claim that 1t had
been recruited by the accession of the
democratic party of this state? 1t Is an
argument that cuts two ways. And now.
notwithstanding the previous decision of
the committee, 1, as its executive officer.
will again convene 1t If it be the sense of
the party expressed through the members
of the county committees that a state con-
vention ought to be called to consider the
special question before Indicated"