The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-23
His Reasons for Relieving the Free
Coinage of silver Would Prove
Beneficial Instead Of Disastrous.
COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE
NAMED TO MEET PoPULIsTs AND
DISCUSS UNITY OF ACTION.
I6-to-1 Platform Prepared by the
subcommittee on Resolutions for
Presentation To-day.

ST. LOUIS. July 22-The silver conven-
ton was launched to-day, but the delegates
took things easy. The programme was all
arranged in advance ii included simply
the adoption OF l6-to-l platform and the
nomination of Bryan and Sewall but those
in charge of il deemed IL a good policy to
go slowly in the belief that they might. by
remaining in session. be able TO exercise an
influence in shaping things in the Populist
convention. To this end they appointed =
committee of seven. headed by Judge Scott
of California, to meet with a similar COM
mittee from the PoDulists for the purpose
of reaching common plan of action. The
idea was perhaps well conceived. although
il is doubtful whether their course VIII be
fruitful of results. The anti-Bryan Popu-
lists believe that all outside influences
which are brought TO bear upon them to
induce them TO accept the nominees OF
the Democratic convention are part OF
some plot TO drive their party into the
Democratic trap" and destroy and annihi-
late it's identity. They are deaf TO sugges-
tions. appeals and warnings. The future
has no terrors, for "in the middle OF the
road" is their reply to every argument,
their answer TO every foreboding. They
have convinced themselves that il they go
marching on four years more the two old
parties will be shattered, disrupted and DIS
credited and they will come Into their
own
The delegates TO the silver organization
were slow in assembling at the Grand
Music Hall and there were not enough
visitors 10 fill the galleries when J. J. Mott
chairman of the national committee, called
the convention TO order He. too. was tariy
and 1t was long after u o'clock when he
stepped TO the platform and raped for
order. But IL was not surprising that the
delegates. the visitors and the chairman
should have been slow I'm coming together.
The weather was intensely hot. II was OF
that variety of heat that one finds In the
steam room of a Turkish bath. II rained
last night and to-day the sun came up in
a clear sky with scarcely a breath OF air
stirring. and as the day advanced the heat
intensified until the scorching rays OF the
sun become almost unbearable- The hall
had been attractively draped with flags and
bunting. but the atmosphere was 80 close
and hot that IL was almost suhocating-
When Chairman Mott came forward to call
the convention 10 order the delegates for
the moment ceased the use of fans. and.
rousing from the torpor caused by the aw-
ful heat INDUCED in some enthusiastic
cheering. Prayer was offered. after which
Miss Lille B. Pierce. OF this city. read the
Declaration OF Independence. This caused
another outburst OF applause.
TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH.
When the call for the convention had
been read Francis G.. Newfands, of Nevada,
was introduced by Chairman Mott as
temporary chairman OF the convention.
Though the galleries OF the hall were all
most vacant the delegates gave him a Wig
orous reception On taking the chair, he
said I'm part:
THE national silver party meets to-day
10 determine what course will best advance
the cause which we have at heart The Re-
standard. save so far as its disastrous con-
Sequences may be averted by internal
tional adjustment with the leading CONNER
cial nations of the world. Practically this
means gold monometalllsm. for under the
system of finance inaugurated by Harrison
and continued by Cleveland, silver Is de-
MED it's time-honored use as a redemption
money. and has become simply the ma -
teriai upon which Is stamped gold pro-
ise. And so our greenbacks our treasu,tT
notes ard silver certificates. instead of being
money. have been turned into gold debt
and the primary money OF the country Is
confined the limited amount cc gold
approximating 500. 900 900. which an adverse
balance OF trade Is constantly depicting
with all the attendant evils Of continuing
bond issues.
''The Democratic party has declared for
the free and unlimited coinage OF silver AT
q ratio OF Is TO 1. without waiting for In
ternational action Whilst IL has made other
declarations in its platform. IL has
nounced that the silver question IS the par
amount issue OF the day. and that 10 II
all other questions are 10 be subordinated-
IL has nominated candidate OF unfn-
peachable character. OF exalted ability Of
infiexibie integrity. CT high purpose. who
has never faltercd for = moment I'm his de-
votion 10 the cause OF limcfallism. Firm.
but not headstrong. confident but not self
sufficient. near 10 the peoEfe- but not dema-
gogues determined for re orm, yet without
single incendiary speechsor passionate ut
terance TO MIR his record. possessing =
happy combination OF the oratoricai and
logical qualities. young courageous and en-
thusfsstic. ye- deliberate and wise. he
stands as the ideal candidate of move-
ment which though termed a movement
for reform. really means return 20 tho
wise conservatism OF our fathers,
The issue has been presented bv q
party which has been recently dlscreditcd
before the country by the financial and tn
dustriai disturbances which IL has created
through the repeal Of the Sherman act
and by threatened and actual tari6
legislation. Dragged into financial sgita~
tlon By the determined win OF an executive
whom IL has since repudiated- Il proposes
not merely TO reverse existing legislation
already enacted. but 10 so further and 70
declare for free and unlimited coinage OF
silver. and, besides. 4 propose. 60 fosrsn-
tee the country against further industrial