The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-01-30
A SOUND MONEY GILL.
CHAIRMAN RUFUS HARDY Is
SUES A CALL FOR A MEETING
AT GALVESTON.
ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH
He Thinks This Step Absolutely Neces
sary in View of the Acton of the
Silverites and Desires Everyone
To Attend.
(From Sundays Daily.)


Headquarters Sound Money Demo-
cratic Committee, CJrsicana, Tex, jan
uary "A. 1896.
To Sound Money Democrats of Texas:
Our organization was begun last May,
after our 16 to l silverite adversaries
the Democratic party with the avowed
purpose of controlling the party. In our
meeting at Waco, we declared that we
intended to conduct our fight within the
| Democratic party; and at a subsequent
meeting of our senatorial district COM
mitteemen at Corsicana, after our Or
ganization was more advanced, in sub
| stance we declared that we desired to
preserve the unity of the party, that we
| intended to make our fight for the adop-
! ton of our opinions within the Demo-
cratic party, and if beaten at her next
National convention, to submit to the
action of that convention and vote for its
nominees. On the other hand, our free
silver leaders, while declaring their pur-
pose to capture the Democratic conven-
ton if possible, and have it pronounce
in favor of free and unlimited coinage
of both gold and silver at the ratio of 10
to l by this government alone, refuse TO
action of the National Democratic con-
vention, or their purpose to support its
nominees if they fail to control the con-
vention. Our State Democratic eXecu-
tive committee at Dallas, on May y last,
adopted this resolutions:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
committee that the question as to
whether the Democrats of this State
favor the free and unlimited coinage of
silver at the ratio of 16 to l or whether
they are opposed to the same, will and
shall be submitted to the Democratic
voters of the entire State at such time
as the committee determine, and that
such question be so submitted in the
same primary election in which dele
gates are selected to the several conven-
TONS"
At the time this resolution was adopt
ed there was one sound money member
of the committee, whom death has since
claimed, and in his place Mr. Dudley has
appointed free silverite. Another sound
money member of the committee has re-
signed, or has been removed by Chair
man Dudley II have no information of
his having resigned) and a free silverite
named in his stead. One of the commit
tee, free silverite, has joined the Pop
ulists, and Chairman Dudley has his
place to fill. Chairman Dudley has
called meeting of the Democratic eX-
ecutive committee to meet in Austin on
February 5, by which time doubtless by
death or removal of sound money mem
bers and substitution by the chairman
of free silverites, the committee will be
comfortably free silver. What this COM
mittee will do, as to calling conventions,
providing test for participation in pri-
maries, do not know. The issue of the
free coinage at 16 to 1, as against sound
and honest dollar, and other issues, will
remain still unsettled. Therefore, as
chairman of the sound money Democrats
of Texas, l respectfully call a meeting
of such Democrats to convene at Gal
weston on Saturday, February 10, 1896,
for the purpose of consulting and agree
ing upon plan or plans to be pursued
by us, and devising means of accomplish
ing our purpose in the opening cam
paign. Let me earnestly urge sound |
money Democrats who think they may |
have some ability to aid us, and who are |
willing to make some personal sacrifices |
for the good of our party and country, |
to attend. Especially do | urge our COM
mitteemen of counties and districts who |
have already many of them done fine |
work, to be present. all of them, if pos
sible. We want courage and moderation, |
zeal and wisdom. We want brave men
and true Democrats, and with fearless |
united action, we will win a grander vic
tory in our next State convention than
we did in cur last convention at Dallas.
RUFUS HARDY,
Chairman Sound Money Dem. Elk. Com.
of Texas.