The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-02-28
SILVER SCHEME.
FREE SILVER DEMOCRATS AGI-
TATING A PLAN.
They Propose to Pledge a Majority of
Democratic Congressman to Silver
and Announce That as the
Policy of the Party.

Washington, Feb. 26.-Routipe matters
on the floor of the house were over
Swallowed today by the initiating of n
brisk movement to secure n majority of
the Democratic membership in favor of
the free coinage of silver for its keynote.
For some time there has been a discuss
sion carried on by free silver leaders over
the practicability of a plan to unite the
silver forces and to crystalline their ideas.
into some sort of n platform or declara-
ton. The net result has been the draft Of
a declaration, addressed to the Demo
Gratis of the United States, and outlining
a financial policy as the Democratic
policy. This paper has been circulated
on the Democratic side of the house and
is being vigorously discussed with the OBJ
ject of obtaining the consensus of opinions
of silver Democrats upon its expression
The chief instigators of the movement
are Messrs. Bland (Mo.), Bryan (Neb.),
Sibley Pa) and Coffeen (Wyo.).
The paper at present is but tentative
expression, they say and not yet in form
for publication, since none of its details
have been definitely agreed upon. In sub
stance, it states the financial policy of the
party to be for the free coinage of gold
and silver on terms of equality at the
ratio of 16 to /; for the issue of all paper
money by the government without the
Intervention of banks, and opposition TO.
any issue of interest bearing bonds with
out the authority of special act of con-
! gress.
| Attention is called to the movement
said to be under way through the efforts
of the opponents of free silver in the party
to secure the elevation of gold men as deleA
gates to party conventions and particular
/ ly to the next national convention for the
nomination of q gold standard man for
! the presidency. Democrats are urged to
oppose the movement and see to it that
none but free silver men are elected to,
positions of influence in the party and to
represent them in all conventions. If the
congress can be pledged to a financial
platform it is intended to issue the mani
festo to the Democrats of the United
States within the next few days.
| At present the declaration is but 10
statement, Mr.. Bryan says, and it is
intended to secure the views of mem
bers and make such changes in it as the
majority of them may dictate There
is possibility that they may not be able
to agree upon any form of address, be-
cause considerable diversity of opinion
has developed today upon the details of
the statement. But few Western men,
bers have been approached and the
Populsts are entirely ignored with the en-
pectation that they will come into the
Democratic party if it declares for free
silver.
How far this canvass has been inspired
by the meeting of the executive COM
mittee of the bimetallist league, ii is;
impossible to say, for while the prime
movers say their plan is entirely indie
pendent of the league, it is noticed that
they are men who have been admitted
to the councils of that body. Representa-
tive Davis says that the more conservative
Third party men could not adopt a plat
form for a national currency of gold,
however, with an additional plank of gov
eminent control of public warks. Most OF
the Democrats who have been presenter
with the first draft of the manifesto are
more or less reluctant to discuss the
movement, because secrecy has been
enjoined upon them until definite agree
ment shall have been constructed.
Mr.. Bryan also made an incomplete
canvass of the silver Democrats in the
senate. He did not present any, prepared
declaration, however, as he thought "
would be unwise but merely submitted
TO them the question of the advisabillty
of such movement and suggested among
other things that joint meeting OF the
silver Democrats in the two houses be
held before adjournment, considering the
matter. 1t is understood that while
number of Democratic senator's ex,
pressed interest in the question and stated
that it struck them favorably on hrsi
thought, they should prefer to have time
| TO look it over in all its bearings before
finally committing themselves to the
Inr