Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-08-13

ton embodied III the Chicago platform
He defended the present programme OF
his party with lawyer-like skill. His
speech was courteous in form and free
from denunciation The argument
was logical and forcible to a degree
Not one line of the Chicago platform
failed of securing the adherence of the
democratic candidate. I'VE are not
surprised to find arrayed against us
those who are the benefciaries OIL
government favoritism," be said.
They have read our platform. Nor
are we surprised to learn that we must
in this campaign face the hostility Of
those who find pecuniary adj
vantage in advocating the doctrine Of
non-interference when great aggrega-
tions of wealth are trespassing upon the
rights OF individuals. We welcome such
oppostion-it is the highest indorse.
ment which could be bestowed upon US
We are content to have the co-opera'
ton of those who desire to have the
government administered without feal
o: favor. 1t is MOI the wish of the gen.
eral public that trusts should spring
into existence and override the weaker
members of society," it is not the wish
OF the general public that these trusts
should destroy competition and then
collect such tax as they will from those
who are at their mercy; nor is it the
fault of the general public that the in
strumentalities Of government have
been so often prostituted to pur-
poses of private gain" Defend
ing thus the spirit of the plat
form as whole, Mr.. Bryan chose GER
tain planks for special eulogy. He
made it clear that the attack on the
Supreme Court is in fact only demand
that Congress proceed, under the con.
tinuing authority Of that court, to enact
an income tax law which shall be con-
stitutional. His plea for the income
tax was stirring one, and finds ready
echo in the hearts of the many who see
great wealth escape its proper share OF
the burden Of taxation while those Of
most moderate means carry the heavy
structure OF the national government
upon their shoulders. Mr.. Bryan gave
ever the greater portion OF his address
to the discussion of the currency
Upon that issue hinges the widest di-
vergence in the minds Of men this year
He defended the free coinage of silver
as the only method of establishing bi.
metallism, and declared that both par
ties had declared for bimetallism, but
the democratic party alone offered q
recipe for its accomplishment. He de-
nouuced the effort to ascribe honesty
to continually approaching gold dol
lar, and showed the disastrous effect
upon business of falling prices which
accompany constant increase in the
ualue of money. The interest of the
farmers, wage workers, savings banks
depositors and insurance policy holders
in radical reform of the currency he
made clear. and be riddled the fallacies
of "depreciated dollar" and flood
ofsilver."
Gov. Stone, at the conclusion of the
cheering, turned to Mr.. Arthur Sewall,
the vice presidential candidate, and in
few words formally notified him OF
his nomination. Mr.. Sewell was
obliged to begin his speech amid a noise
and din that made it difficult to be
| nearu ten lcel away.
In his speech Mr.. Sewall said "Our
party, and, we believe, great majority
o. the American people are convinced
that the legislation of 1878, demonetz-
ing silver, was wrong inflicted upon
our country which should and must be
righted. We believe that the single
gold standard has so narrowed the base
of our monetary structure that it is IN
stable and unsafe, and so dwarfed it, in
its development and in its power to fur.
nish the necessary financial blood to
the nation, that commercial and indus
trial paralysis has followed
eve demand the free coinage ofsilver,
the opening of our minis to both money
metals without discrimination, the re-
turn to the money OF our father, the
money of the constitution-gold and sill.
YER. We believe this is the remedy and
the only remedy for the evil from which
we are now suffering
"The decentralization of silver has
thrown the whole money function on
gold, approaching its value and pur-
chasing power. Restore the money
function TO silver and silver will appre
ciate and its purchasing power increase.
Mr.. Sewall finished MS speech at 1915.
When he sat down the audience set up
a cry for Tillman, but the 'pitchfork
orator did not respond. People began
to crowd forward as seats in the fore
ground were vacated, and nearly all the
audience was gathered around the press
seats, which separated them from the
rostrum. So great was the confusion
that hardly anybody heard chairman
Danforth announce that the meeting
was adjourned.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan ran the gaunt
let of handshaking admirers, and with
Mr.. St. John regained their carriage
and were driven to the Batholdi Hotel,
where crowd was waiting to hear
promished talk from the nominee.
Special overflow meetings were held
on lower Madison avenue under the
direction of the Bryan and Sewall Club
of Single Takers and the Bimetallic
League. There were eight separate
stands and more than dozen speakers.
1t was estimated that the aggregate
attendance at the overflow meetings
was $4,000. The speeches were devot-
ed to the denunciation of monopolies,
the advocacy of the interests Of the
working people, the reformation of the
tax system, equal rights and the cleo
ton of Mr.. Bryan to the Presidency OF
the United States.
NEWS OF THE DAY.