The Portland daily press., 1896-07-17
WILL FIRE GEORGE. FRED.
Massachusetts Reform Club PROPOSES
to Expel Mr.. Williams.

lists should BE Free Silverites and
Grieves Somewhat Because They Are
Not-Edward Atkinson Has Scheme.
Boston, July 16.-Nearly 100 members
Of the Massachusetts Reform Club dined
ut the Parker house this afternoon. COL
e. B. Haskell of the Boston Herald, pre-.
sided, and opened the speaking. He snid
in part:
"This country has reached crisis
graver than any other it has known
since 1861. (Applause.) The country is
today seriously threatened with debnse
nent of the currency which
involves q partial republication OF
all private and public financial obliga-
tions. 1t is not only proposed to change
the standard Of value, but adopt STAN
dard liable to constant fucuuRtions.
Logically the extreme protectionisrs
should favor the silver standard. II
would DO the most effective protective
measure that could be devised.
| "All foreign commodities would have
| to be paid In gold, and wages would
still be governed by the law of supply
and demand. The farmer might get
| lUE Ills Duk Bue pur-
chasing power of his money would he
lsssened. In only one way would he gain
| by reputation of bis debts. All who
work for wages, all who have invested
savings, all who have insured their lives,
the whole army of pensioners, would
suffer.
''Capital would be able to take care
of itself; 1t would simply command
more of the cheaper money. ] didn't
know in what ars the requirements for
membership of the Reform club. We
| hive charity for men with fads, even
| for cranks who mean well, but we should
draw the line at the reputation of hon.
est debts; (Applause.) II we do not,
| have no. business here. ~
| From the reception given Col. Haskell's
rhmaTks, it was evident that the mem bsrs
present will.unlte upon any action which
| seemed best to defeat the Chicago CON
vention,
The meeting unanimously adopted re-
solutions of regret at the death of sx-
Gov. Russell. Henry w. Lamb reoom-
mended that tho club take such action as
would utilize all It's influence for the
defeat of the Democratic national ticket
such action to accord with any TINT
might be taken by the sound money
Democrats of the Central Western States.
The executive committee was nutho-
rlzed to act as campaign committee in
harmony with the Reform club of New
York and the Democratic sound money
movement in Illinois
Dana Estes gave notice of an amend
ment to the constitution by which the
members of the club who, by political
action or otherwise, have betrayed its
principles, may be expelled. This is I'M
derstood to be duo to the action OF Hon.
u. b. Williams, a mem Der of the club.
With cheers the meeting unanimously
adopted resolution, stating that the
club always sympathized with the
| financial policy Of Grover Cleveland, and
will not support candidate or platform
which repudiates it, an d recommends
that all independents voters support such
candidates for President, and national
representatives as are pledged to main.
tain the gold standard
Edward Atkinson said: "The time
has come when right minded men may
unite for the common purpose of estab-
fishing Democratic Republican union
for the support of good government. A
simple method for such union may be
brought into action in the following
manner:
"First-There may. be organized a
union consisting Of Republicans and
Democrats, determined to retain good gov
eminent, which may be entitled either
RepuDl1can-De or Democratic
Republican union. The ticket may be
prepared in such a way that every voter
shall have free choice in expressing
preference for certain candidates for the
Presidency and President, at the
same time leaving to the discretion of
| the electors jointly voted for, to use their
own Judgment when an emergency comes
upon them, If there should be an emer-
gency demanding the exercise of their
own discretion. In my own judgment
the purposes on which all who intend
to maintain good government in these
United States might unite, could be
stated in three very simple propositions:
First the lawful unit of value of this
nation il q gold coin, named dollar,
containingss2 So grains in weight nins
ten this fine. That unit of value must
remaining in use, as money Of limited
tender convertible into gold.
"Second-The banking system of this
country should be Immediately revised
to the end Of the banks Of issue. with
careful provision for state system of
banking, that shall serve the REQ uire
ments OF the country as whole.
"Third-PendinR the settlement of the
first named questions, no general revis-
ion Of the existing tariff should be taken
up, such simple provisions being made
to cover deficiency of revenue il such
deficiency proves to exist on the inoom-
ing of the next administration. The
meeting closed with an eloq uent ad-
dress BY Collector Warren of B oston.
who denounced the Democratic national
platform. His remarks were vigorously
applauded.