davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Butler weekly times., 1896-07-23
BRYAN'S SPEECH
Before the Chicago Conven-
tiOn.

The Hon. W. J. Bryan of Nebras.
ka, said;
"Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen Of
this Convention: I would be pre-.
gumptuous, indeed, to present my
self against the distinguished gen.
tlemen to whom you have listened,
If this were but meas uring of abil
ity, but this is not contest among
persons. The humblest citizen in
all the land when clad in the armcr
of q righteous cause is stronger than
al the hosts of error that they can
bring. I come to speak to you in
defense of cause as holy as the
cause of liberty, the cause of hu.
manity. Loud applause.)
When this debate is concluded a
motion will be made to lay upon the
table the resolution offered in com
mendation of the administration and
also the resolution in condemnation
of the administration. / shall OBJ
ject to bringing the question down
to level Of persons. The individual
is but an atomic is born, he acts,
he dies-but principles are eternal,
and this has become a contest of
principle. Never before in the his
tory of American politics has a great
issue been fought out as has this
issue, by the voters themselves.
On the fourth of March, 1895, a
few democrats, most of them mem.
bers of congress, issued an address
TO the democrats Of the nation, as
serting the money question was the
paramount issue of the hour; assert
ing also the right of majority of
the party to control the position of
the party on this paramount issue;
concluding with the request that all
believers in free coinage of silver in
the democratic party should organ
ize and take charge of and control
the policy of the democratic party.
Three months later, at Memphis, an
organization was perfected, and the
silver democrats went forth openly
and boldly, and courageously pre-
claiming their belief. and declaring
that if successful, they would crys.
talize in aplatform a the declaration
which they had made, and then be.
gan the conflict with zeal approach. .
ing the zeal which inspired the cru
saders who followed Peter the
Hermit.
SPREAD or THE SILVER MOVEMENT.
Our silver democrats went forth
from victory unto victory, until they
are assembled now, not to discuss,
not to debate, but to enter UP the
Judgment rendered by the plain
people of this country. applause.
In this contest brother has been ar
rayed against brother, and fathe,
against son. The warmest ties OF
love and acquaintance and assoc;a
tion have been disregsrded. OLD
leaders have been cast aside wher
they refused to give expression te
the sentiment of those whom the,
would lead. and new leaders have
sprung up to give direction to this
cause Of truth. Cheers Thus
has the contest been waged, and We
have assembled here under as bind
ing and solemn instructions as were
ever fastened upon the represents
tives OF people.
We do not come as individuals
Why, as individuals, we might hay.
oeen glad to compliment the gentle
man from New York Senator Hill
but we know the people for whom
The Butler weekly times., 1896-07-23

we speak would never be willing to
put him in a position where he could
thwart the will of the democratic
party. (Cheers) l say it was not
a question of persons; it was a ques-
tion of principle, and it is' not with
gladness, my friends, that we find
ourselves brought into conflict with
those who are now arrayed ON the
other side.
The gentleman who just preceded
me, Governor Russell, spoke of the
old state of Massachusetts. Let me
assure him that not one person in
all this convention entertains the
least hostility to the people of the
state of Massachusetts (applause).
but we stand here, representing peo
pie who are the equals before the
law of the largest citizens in the
state of Massachusetts. applause J
When you come before us and tell
us we shall disturb your business
interests, We reply that you have
disturbed our business interests by
your course. Great applause and
cheering We say to you that you
have made too limited in it's appli,
cation the definition of business
men. The man who is employed
for wages is as much business man
as his employer. CONTINUED cheer.
ing.) The attorney in a country
town is as much business man as
the corporation counsel in great
metropolis. The merchant at the
cross roads store is as much busi-
ness man as the merchant Of New
York. The farmer who goes forth
in the morning and tolls all day,
begins in the spring and tolls all
summer, and by the application of
brain aud muscle to the natural re.
sources of this country, creates
wealth, is as much business man
as the man who goes upon the
Board of Trade aud bets upon the
price OF grain"
INTERRUPTED BY CHEERS
The sentiments of the speaker
were cheered again and again, and
the galleries seemed to be mass of
white, because of the handkerchiefs
waving. The cheers were renewed
again and again, and it was some
minutes before Mr.. Bryan could be
heard. He proceeded as follows:
The miners who 60 thousand
feet into the earth, or climb 1000
feet upon the cliffs and bring forth
from their hiding place the precious
metals to be poured in the channels
of trade, are as much business men
as the few financial magnates who,
in backroom, corner the money of
the world"
The free silver delegates at this
point broke forth in tremendous
cheers, standing on chairs and
waving their hats and banners fran.
tically. Order was finally restored
and MIR. Bryan continued:
/ I'VE come to speak for this
broader class OF business men. All
my friends, we say not one word
against those who live upon the
Atlantic coss:, tut those hardy
pioneers who braved all the dangers
Of the wilderness, who have made
the desert TO blossom IS the rose
those pioneers sway out there. rear
ing their children near 10 nature
heart, whore they can mingle thei,
voices with the voices of the birds
out there where they have erected
school houses for the education ot
their young. and churches where
they praise their Creator. ard GENE
teries where sleep the ashes of theil
dead-are as deserving Of the con
siderat.on Of this party as any peo
The Butler weekly times., 1896-07-23

tHeiI prosperity VIII leak through on
those below. The Democratic idea
has been that If you legislate to
make the mass prosperous, their
prosperity will find it's way up aud
through every class and rest upon
it. applause You come to US
and tell US that the great cities are
in favor OF the gold standard. l tell
you that the great cities rest upon
these broad and fertile parties. Burn
down your cities and leave our farms
and your cities will spring up again
as if by magic. But DESTROY
our farms and the grass will grow
in the streets of every city in this
country Loud applause
My friends, we shall declare that
this nation is able to legislate for its
own people on every question, with
out waiting for the aid or consent OF
any other nation on earth, applause,
and upon that Issue we expect to
carry every single State in the IN.
ion. Applause / shall not s.and-
er the fair State of Massachus setts
nor the State Of New York by say
ing tha. when its citizens are con.
fronted with the proposition is this
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-03

The new contract made by the council
with the electric lighting company is a
piece of jobbery more audacious
than any that has been engineered
through the council for years. The CN-
iSting contract does not expire until 1888.
There were yet thirteen months left to
consider the propricty of making Il new
contract either with the ThOmson-IlOr OrS-
ton or some other company. The city had
Il right to acquire the plant of the existing
company or to build its own electric
lighting works. Nobody in the COM
munity had asked for this new contract.
The contract was secretly concocted,
by the mayor without notice to the pub
lie There had been no opportunity to
examine the proposition or to discuss its
merits, and no man who voted for it can
escape the odium and suspicion that at
taches to jobbery.
The pretense that there will be great
saving to the city by the new~ agree
mcnt is very gauZy and so is
the promise that 100000 will be OK
pended shortly by the company in en-
larging its plant. The reduction Of
$500 per lamp is trivial when we tai;c
into consideration the fact that the city
is paying at least $50 more per lamp
than it could produce the light for itself
under present conditions. An extension
of five years gives the company all the
advantage of decreased cost of prOduc-
tion which is being realized from year to
year. There is no reduction whatever
under the contract to private consumers.
For them the rates have been arbitrary
and will so continue. The exposition
year alone is sure TO more than double
the present consumption, and if the
plant is enlarged for this purpose the
patrons will have to pay the cost
If the private consumers are not to
have the benefit of reduction in prices
ut least Il royalty for the city should
have been eXacted from the time of eX-
piration of the old contract The exist
ing contract it will be remembered.
was Il compromise made after II long
contest and in the face of competing
bidders, during which the Thomson
Houston company had offered to sup
ply the lamps as low rs $11O per year or
$3.50 less than they are now to have as
sured to them for six years.
The generous concession of city
hall lights up to 1000 is sop be
hind which is ingeniously concealed the
design to keep the city from buying Il
dynamo of its own to light the city hall |
public library and the neighboring pub
lie buildings.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-03

set, to Increase the intcrcstbcaring pub
lie debt. To do that would be to play
into the hand of the element that was
defeated i'm November.
As to reducing expenditures, 1t Is Ger.
tninly the duty of congress to do Sc
wherever it Is practicable without i'm.
pairing the public service. In what di.
rection reductions may bc made, If at
all. will appear when the estimates of
the several departments of the govern
mcnt are laid before congress. 1t is to
he apprchendcd. however. that not much
cutting down can be made without inn
pcriling the efficiency of tle pub
lie service. The present house
Of representatives has made an
earnest effort to keep down cN-
pcnditurcs. As was said by the chair
man of the appropriations committee
at the close of the last session, it appro-
prlatCd only the money absolutely nee
csSary to supply the needs of the govern
mcnt. in no Instance entering upon new
fields of appropriation save where their
importance was so manifest that Il sound
public sentiment would Justify even the
borrowing Of money TO carry them on.
1t is safe to say that the house will ad-
here to this policy and that the example
will he followed by the succeeding con
gress. Possibly it may be found practi-
cable to reduce expenditures. but in any
event provision must be made for more
rpyyuup
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-03
REDUCINg EyPENDJrUHEs

Judicious economy in public eXpendi-
lures should be observed at all times.
but it is especially necessary when the
revenues of The government are dcclin-
| ing. as has been the case under the on
Grafton of the present tariff law, in
comparison with the results under the
law which it superseded. According
to the annual report of the treasurer Of
the United States, the net ordinary rev
enues of the government for the fiscal
year ending June 30 last were in round
numbers S32G,00O,000. which was Sl3.-
100000 more than for the preceding
year. In the fiscal years 1S91-94. when
the republican tariff was in operation.
the average annual receipts were 1857
100000 and they would have been con
Siderably more but for the great de-
cline in impOrtations during the fiscal
year of 1894, due to the anticipation of
lower duties. But still the average an
nual revenue under the tariff law of
1880 exceeded that under the present
law by $37 100000 and If that average
had been maintained there probably
WOulu nave Deen no uelclt, ASSUMING
that expenditures would not have been
increased to any greater extent than
has been the ease since 1890. Indeed.
the average annual receipts under the
last republican tariff would have moro
than met the average expenditures for
the fiscal years 1S95-9G. which
amounted to $35I 100000, n reduction
from the average of the preceding four
years
But we are now confronted with the
fact that since the close of the last
fiscal year revenue receipts have
fallen Off, SO that for the five months
of the current fiscal year the treasury
deficit amounts TO nearly S4OOOO.OOO. II |
Is thought probable that the recelptS |
viii improve, but ii cannot reasonably |
be assumed that without additional |
legislation the revenues will be brought |
up to the expenditures during the pres. |
ent fiscal year, for which appropriations |
have been made. A continuance of deli. |
cits Is assured unless provision is made
for more revenue, ana IL Is this situation
that calls for immediate action by con
sress. Present conditions cannot be
prolonged many months without necessi-
latlng another bond issue and 1t Is most
desirable that the new administration
shall not be compelled, at the very out.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-03
ANTHRACITE COAL CoMnuxn.
Present Agreement LiIscIy. 10 De Con
timed teNI ycnr

Present Agreement Likely. TO De Com
tinu"d NeNt Year.
NEW YORK, Dec. 2.-The agreement on
tered into on February of this year by
the presidents of the anthracite coal mining
and carrying companies at the instance of
powerful financial interests will expire nom
inally on January /, 1897. At the time Of
the agreement. however, 1t was arranged
that the contract would run on subject to
thirty days notice from any interest There
is the best authority for the statement that
that none will be The companies for the
first time in the history OF the anthracite
trade kept faith with each other absolutely
and oil interested looked confidently for the
banner year of the industry.
The well laid plans were however, nuli-
fed to a very large extent by the long-con-
tinuod depression and general business dis
turbance in the money market and ante
election agitation. The first six months
the trade was very poor, the agreement
did not really become operative until June
and the tonnage for the year as compared
with 1895 will show a heavy falling off. Re-
comfy business has been very light, more
particularly at tide water, where prices
with the single exception Of chestnut which
has been in fairly good demand, have been
and are now being cut % cents below the
nominal September circular. Trade is now
improving under the stimulus of the colder
weather, but officials of the various com
panes agree that the best that can be eX-
pected in the present month is to get up to
the September figures,
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-03
NO R1rkMIRn SrEp.


4 Washington dispatch says tha
prcsidcntclcct Mckinley will scarcely
be warm In his seat before the strongcs
pressure will be brought to bear 10 in
ducc him to modify or rcscind some OF
the civil service orders of President
Cleveland. 1t is quite probable that
there are politicians in the republican
party who would not hesitate to
counsel action Of this kind on the part
of the next president, but 1t may be
doubted whether there are any such
with sufficient influence 10 induce Major
Mckinley to seriously consider a pro-
poSnl to Interfere with what has been
done In applying civil service regula-
tions, even if he can do SO. As to this
there appears TO be n question, the
chairman Of the civil service commits
sion being authority for the statement
that what has been done cannot he un-
done by the incoming executive. This
official, who ought to bc good authority.
says that president cannot rcscind
a civil service regulation established by
his predecessor, so that If this is cor
rect Interpretation of the law what
President Cleveland has done in extend
ing the application of civil service rules
must stand.
But In any event there is not the
slightest reason to apprchcnd that Ma ior
Mckinley will take any backward step
In regard to this reform. He is as fully
committed TO it as any of its most ardent
supporters ana advocates. He spoke
strongly in defense of the re-
form when in congress, he recognized
the principle in his appointments when
governor of Ohio and he unqualiiicdly
endorsed the declaration regarding it of
the republican national platform. No
one who knows anything of the char
acter of the president-elcct will believe
for moment that any pressure. how
ever influential and strong, could induce
him to stultify the record he has thus
far consistently maintained and do any
thing that would in the rcmutcst de-
gree tend to revive the old spOils system
on the contrary, there is every reason
to believe that Major Mckinley will be
found as Jealous as any of his prcde-
cessors since the enactment Of the civil
service law in observing its letter and
spirit and in cnlGrging its application
And We do not believe there Is Il rcpub
lican Of prominence and influence who
will venture to suggest to President
Mckinley Il different course. 1t is safe
to say that any one doing SO would
seriously imperil his claim 10 executive
respect and confidence.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-03
MESSAGE MAY FAVOR CUBA
President Cleveland Said to Contemplate
Radical Action.
GEN. LEES REPORT NOT SATISFACTORY
serious Statements ns to the Coudi-
lion of the Noncombntnnts In
the Island aud of Cruelty
by the Spnninrds.

,,.,s,,,,,-.-,.
! NNShiNuloN' bec' hopors were
| In general circulation here today to the effect
that Secretary Oncy, some time in Novcm.
! bcr. had given the Sponish government
,,,,rtco,siy h,,, pr.,,,,, a., ,,,5,r..,,,l -,
49,. 60. ,,',.
{ ','' '"'"" 'coe'''o" must pN c'"'"eu "N"'Il
lhree months or the United states would be
compelled to intervene to stop hostllitics 1t
was said that prominent republican senators
had beon informed or mis- ultipotru 4
,,r,,t,,,,,, ,,,,,.,,,,,, ,, -, ,,,,,,i,. .
~ '',''io'' VI '.'V S."''v '"''.,''''v
OH loreish relations sald TO-DAY II would not
be possible for the president TO send Il pro-
Spanish message to congress. in view of the
report which Consul General Lee had ma
=, Sccrct,r,. nir,,. rbis r,,,,rt ,,r.,,o,,s d,
=. - ,,.
'.'S crave uol " say "oIli l''"F' ConU'''oh
OF aHalrS IN CUBA one OF the conditions he
describes is that of the nonCom
batants, peaCcablc citizens. who have no
interest in the war except to see it ended
These people. Whether within the Spanish
lines or the Cuban lines are sufferers. /; Is
known also that General Lees report shows
that cruelty Is practiced on both sides. but
II is said, 1t states that more eases have come
TO his knowledge OF wrongs on the part ot
the Spaniards,
one thing thnt does appear to be estab-
lished by the testimony OF these callers is
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-03
PACIFIC COAST REPRESENTATION

B1tFt tO3SI hEPRESENTITiDN
There appears to be good ground for
believing that the Pacific coaSt will be
represented in the cabinet of the next
administration. The Cleveland Leader
says it is so given out from semi-oftical
sources and states that the impression
prevails that the administration will
desire TO recognize the coast in man
ner which will leave no ground for COM
plaint. If Major Mex inlcy decides to
select n member of his cabinet from the
coast, of course either California or
Oregon will furnish the man and It
hardly need be said that there are good
men in both states from whom TO choose.
TO give the Pacific coast representa-
ton in the cabinet would establish n
precedent and there can be no question
that it would be wise policy on the part
of President-elect Mckinley to do this
The republicans of California and
oregon deserve such consideration.
They made a splendid fight for the
cause of sound money and protection i'm
the late campaign, the republicans of
no other state attesting more strongly
their loyalty and devotion to republican
principles. Confronted ut the beginning
of the campaign with what seemed to
be overwhelming odds. the republicans
of California and Oregon went into the
fight with the earnestncss and deter
mination that come from profound
sense of duty and they won victory
that will ever be honorable to them.
The reward of Il cabinet position is not
beyond their merit.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-03

In several states carried by Mckinley
one Bryan clcctor has pulled through 10y
Il scratch. This is the best evidence of
fair ballot and honest count in those
states. 1t shows that there were mis-
takes made in marking ballots and that
the mistakes are recorded in the re
turns. In none of the southern states
where fraudulent elections are notorious
could such a thing occur because the
men in control of the election machinery
see to il that mistakes never count
against their candidates.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-03
THE WATER woRK~ cONTRAcr

l
The proposition to extend the wate
works contract for Il period OF sever
| years calls for careful consideration b.
| fore final action shall be taken by ths
mayor and council. The public intercs
should be guarded ut every point and Il,
| loopholeS left for further misunderstood
ing and contention. If an extension oi
the contract is to b. made let it be upon
conditions that will give the taxpayers
the full equivalent of the value Of the
benefits conferred on the company.
When the original water works con
tract was made Omaha had population
Of only 10000 and the most sanguinc
prophet did not expect to see the city
double its population by 1890. The
marvellous growth of Omaha compelled
the reconstruction and enlargement of
the water works plant at cost of
several millions and the expenditure of
several hundred thousand dollars will
be required soon TO make it adequate TO
the demands of the people who depend
upon il. ON the other hand the city has
increased the number of its fire
hydrants from 30 to 1,iOO. so that al
the present rental it pays about $SS, 900
or 1 per cent on 81 100000 exclusive of
rentals paid by South Omaha. The
private consumption of water has in
creased proportionately and far beyond
original expectations.
Granting that the water company's
franchise has not been forfeited by
reason of its receivcrship and fore
closure sale, it becomes IL question how
much the city shall exact in return for
the proposed seyen-year extension and
the waiver of lis right to purchase the
plant before 1907, and at only hve-ycar
periods thereafter. Manifestly the
object of the water company is to secure
Il contract that will enable its new
owners to dispose of bonds TO pay off tha
floating debt and raise money for I'M
provements. TO do this they want ten
years of guaranteed income and un-
disturbed possession. For this conces.
sion 1t is proposed TO require them TO
supply $50 additional fire hydrants at
nominal cost TO the city. No concession
Is made, however as to charges for
private water supply nor is any reduc-
ton asked by the council committee In
the rental of hydrants now in use or to
be used If more than the 100 new
hydrants should be ordered.
The vital question to the taxpayers Is: |
Are the conditions under which 1t /.