The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-20
THE SILVER CONFERENCE.

Some exceptionally interesting features
marked the opening of the California
branch OF the American Bimetallic League
yesterday at Metropolitan Hall. First it
should be understood that this is an organ
ization independent of the old political
parties and that its sole purpose is the re-
Mobilization of silver at the ratio of 16 to l,
with unlimited free coinage of silver on
that basis and without reference to the
action, influence or interference OF any
other Nation on the subject. The Califor-
MIA branch called this convention for Cali
fornia alone, but at the same time invited
the contiguous States and Territories to
send representatives. With the clear I'M
Outstanding that this is a convention OF
bimetallists of the coast and that it has no
utilization with either of the two old
parties, but is composed OF bimetallists
gathered together from these parties, the
work of the convention can be fully under
stood.
In the first place, Nevada sent a strong
delegation of its ablest silver advocates.
The convention, recognizing the fact that
free silver had its birth in Nevada and that
the ablest advocates of bimetallism are rep
X
the Nevada delegates the full privileges of
the floor, and this carried the whole
question of admitting the delegates from
the other Pacific States.
The California branch of the American
Bimetallic League is not an independent
body, but a branch of the National
organization, and hence whatever may be
its conclusions, they are subject to revision
by the National body. Not only that, but
the future course of the California branch
must be governed by the decision of the
American League. 1t should be said in
addition that the American League is de-
termined not to wait on the decision of
the International Bimetallic Conference,
which may bring about long and harrass-
ing delay, but will make an independent
American fight on American soil, in the
belief that our country is big and strong
enough to decide upon its own financial
policy without reference to the wishes,
interests or distastes of any other Nation
on earth.
1t happens that the very contention
which the Bimetallic League is making is
that which has been asserted by the Re-
publican party of California, and that
opposed to it are the direct policy of the
Democratic National administration for a
gold standard and the silence of the
Democratic party OF this State on the
monetary question. Against this silence,
in turn, is opposed the prevailing senti-
ment of the Democratic press of California
and the absolute certainty that the free
Democratic sentiment of all the region
west of the Missouri River is in sympathy
with the California Republican platform
and the policy of the Bimetallic League of
America.
1t is for these reasons that the delegates
to the convention now in session in this
City find themselves among warm friends
in the ranks of both the old parties.
1t is taken universally for granted that
men who are able to expound and defend
the doctrine of bimetallism and free silver
must possess knowledge and an under
standing which command respect and
that it would be difficult to find intelligent
citizens possessing a finer spirit of Amer
lean independence or higher form of
American patriotism. That they are con-
scious of rising above considerations of
political expediency, and that they make
disinterested fight solely for the greater
independence and prosperity of our
people, none can be found so hardy as to
doubt. For these reasons San Francisco
welcomes this valiant body of earnest and
intelligent men and wishes them good
fortune in their labors