The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-13
FREE SILVER
Advocates Would Throw Party
Politics Aside.
BimetaIism is Their 0octrine-Argu-
ments Presented in the Cause.

MEMPHIS, June l3.-Friends OF silver,
represepting 20 states Of the south and
west, began a two days convention in this
city yesterday. Fifteen hundred dele
gates, with honest money" rs the slogan,
were at the Auditorium when the gather
ing was called to order. On the stage were
many of the leading advocates of the free
coinage Of silver In the United States.
A permanent organization was effected,
with Senator Turpie of Indiana as chair
man. and addresses were delivered by that
gentleman and Alexander Delmar of Cali
fornia, Congressman Sibley of Pennsyl-
vania, G. 5. Thomas Of Colorado and
Aaron Wolcott Of Indiana.
Politically the most significant incident
Of the days proceedings was the state
mcnt OF Senator Harris Of Tennessee rs TO
the object OF the gathering and the single
subject to which it Is expected to contine
Ats deliberations.
The strength OF the men who arc for sill
YER first, last and all tho time, and whose
purpose to advance the candidacy OF Con
gresham Sibloy Of Pennsylvania for the
presidency is formidable, and tho result
Of tho encounter between the conservative
and radical silver men is watched with
great interest.
At the opening of the afternoon session,
Senator Harris, the anto-bcllum governor
Of Tennessee, was given an enthusiastic
reception. He said that the convention
was called by the Central Bimetallic
league OF Shelby county, a strictly non
partian organization, composed of Demo
Gratis, Republicans and Populists. Its
doors were thrown open to every Ameri-
can citizen who honestly believed in the
propricty, the advisability and the neces-
sity of the rehabilitation of silver.
Their doctrine was bimetallism, and by
bimetallism they meant the free and un-
limited coinage of all the gold and all the
silver produced In the country They hold,
as to this convention, that Democrat can
be present and participate in it's dclibera-
tions without impairing in the least de-
gree his allegiance 70 his party organiza-
ton, and the same is true of Republicans
and Populists, whose party fealty cannot
be impeached because of their opinion in
advocacy Of FREQ silver coinage.
Turpie's Argument.
Senator Turpie said: "The coined money
Of the government in full meaning stands
four square TO all commercial transactions
Of tho people. IL has four functions or
uses. 1t Is medium of exchange; il is
measure of values; il is a means for reduc-
tion Of Its paper proxies, and IL Is legal
tender for the payment of all debts There
are many things besides coined money
which have some of these powers and uses
1t has all. OF these functions two are Gre
ated by law-those Of legal tender and
redemptions; those are artificial. The
other two--of each exchange and value
measurement-are natural.
According to tho test of the enemies OF
binletallism, the legal value of coined
money must be the same as the com
mercial or bullion value of the metal in It.
Nothing could be more dishonest Accord
ing to that test there is not, and cannot
be an honest dollar Of either silver or gold
nor any honest Part or fraction of the
same--as for tho nickel it is viler than the
dime and the honest penny Is banished
forever
According TO this same test and rule Of
coinage, there is not an honest coin in the
treasury, there is not piece of sound,
safe money in the country"
Alexander Delmar of California, the
coinage author, said that amidst the con.
fusion OF monetary theories, doctrines and
assumptions which divide the people, he
could discern but a single principle upon
which all parties unite and that was sta
bility. He was convinced that no institu. |
tion could enjoy permanent footing in |
this country unless 10 was founded upon |
principles Of equity. Any system Of |
money which did not point to substantial |
stability Of prices was Sestined To speedy |
overthrow, that was why he supported the |
demand for tho restoration of tho ancient |
coinage laws of the republic.
The Presidential Asp.rant.
At the evening session, Senator Stewart |
of Nevada presided, and introduced Con |
gresham Sibley Of Pennsylvania Mr.
Siblcy made an earnest appeal for indie
pendent political action in 1895, and occu
pied good deal of tine illustrating the
rs-essity Of breaking away from the old |
parties
His auditors were evidently with him.
for every attack upon SECRETARY Carlisle. |
the president or Senator sherman was
greeted with noisy demonstration. and
every time he asked the crowd If they
would remain with their old parties and |
continue the domination of English
money power, he was greeted with a
chorus of mo"
He denounced President Cleveland and
Secretary Carlisle as traitors because they
had not used their influence TO restore
silver 10 It's old standard.
Charles Thomas Of Denver next took the
floor and made speech advocating sil.
yer standard of 10 10 l. At the conclusion
OF his speech. the convention adjourned.
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