The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-24
DONEAT WASHINGTON
The Silver Conference Elects National
Committeeman for Each State.
RESOLUTIONS ARE ADOPTED
After Animated Financial Discus
sion and Ringing Speeches. the
Convention Adjourns Amid
the Greatest Applause.

Washington, Jan. 23.-The silver con-
ference to-day resulted in an animated
discussion on the financial situation.
and the policy TO be pursued by the
friends of silver. During the discussion
considerable feeling was aroused by
the remarks of General Hatch OF Mis-
souri,, who stated in effect that IL the
populists of Kentucky did their whole
duty the election of Blackburn to the
United States senate would not be a
matter of doubt. General Field OF Vir-
ginia and others made heated replies.
Mayor Turner of Lansing. Mich. and
Senator Steward also addressed the
convention.
The preamble and resolutions are as
follows:
The paramount issue at this time in
the United States is indisputably the
money question. 1t is between the gold
standard, gold bonds and bank curren-
cy on the other side. on this issue we
declare ourselves to be in favor of a
distinctive American financial system.
We are unalterably opposed to the
single gold standard. and demand the
immediate return to the constitutional
standard of gold and silver, by the
restoration by this government, indie
pendently of any foreign power, of the
unrestricted coinage of both gold and
silver into standard money, at the ratio
of 16 to 1. and upon the terms of exact
equality as they existed prior to 1873:
the silver coin TO be full legal tender
equal with gold, for all debts and du-
ties, public and private.
I'VE hold that the power 70 control
and regulate a par currency is insep-
arabic from the power to coin money:
and hence that all currency intended TO
circulate as money should be issued
and its volume controlled by the gen
eral government only, and should be
legal tender We are unalterably op-
posed to the issue by the United States
of Understanding bonds In times OF
peace, and we denounce as a blunder
worse than a crime, the present treas
ury policy, ooncurred in by a republican
house. of plunging the country In debts
by hundreds of millions I'm the vain at
tempt to maintain the gold standard
by borrowing gold; and we demand the
payment of all coin obligations of the
United States as provided by existing
laws. In either gold or silver coin. at
the option of the government and not
at the option of the creditor.
Whereas. The decentralization OF sill
yer in 1878 enormously increased all the
demand for gold. enhancing its pur-
chasing power and lowering all prices
measured by that standard; and
Whereas. Since that unjust and in
defensible act, the prices OF American
products have fallen upon an average
of nearly so per cent. carrying down
with them proportionately the money
value of all other forms of property ex-
cept in peculiarly favored localities.
and
Whereas, Such fall of prices has de-
stroyed the profits OF legitimate indus
try, injuring the producer for the ben
eft OF the non-producer. increasing the
burden of the debtor and swelling the
gains OF the creditor. paralyzing the
productive energies of the American
people. RELOCATING to idleness large
numbers of willing workers, sending
the shadow of despair into the home
of the honest toiler; filling the land
with tramps and paupers. and building
up colossal fortunes at the money CEN
tiers; and
Whereas. In the effort TO maintain
the gold standard the country has
within the last IS months. in a time OF
profound peace and plenty, been loaded
down with $l62 900. 900 OF additional in
terest bearing debt. under such circum-
stances as to allow a syndicate Of ma
tive and foreign bankers to realize a
net profit Of SIC. 900. 900 on a single deal;
and
Whereas. Another call Is pending
for a further gold loan OF 500. 900 900
which, but for an outburst OF popular
indignation. would also have been ne
gotiated in the same secret manner and
through the same syndicate; and
Whereas. IL stands confessed that
the gold standard can only be upheld
by so depicting our paper currency as
10 force the prices OF our products be-
low the European and even below the
Asiatic level in order that we may sell
In foreign markets. thus aggravating
the very evils of which our people 80
bitterly complain. degrading American
labor. and striking al the very founda-
tons OF our civilization Itself. and
Whereas, The advocates of the gold
standard Professionally claim that the
real cause of our distress Is overpro-
duotion-ahat we have produced 50
much that il has made us pOor-whlch
implies that the true remedy IS to close
our factories. abandon the farm and
throw a multitude OF people out Of
employment doctrine that leaves US
absolutely without hope for the flu
ture; and.
Whereas. The difference OF ex-
change between silver standard coun-
tries and gold countries Is equivalent
u a bounty equal 20 the difference be-
tween the value OF gold and silver In
favor Of the products Of silver standard
countries exported 20 gold standard
countries and a corresponding tarif
against the products OF gold standard
countries exported 10 silver using coun-
tries: and.
Whereas. The cost OF production
otherwise In the old world. and particu-
larry in China and Japan. Is far less