The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1896-06-19
Republican National Convention.

met in Chicago last Tuesday. Nothing
of special importance occurred on this
day other than the formal calling of
the convention and the appointment of
the various committees.
On Wednesday, morning the text of
the financial plank of the platform was
decided. 1t is as follows:
"The Republican party is unreserved-
ly for sound money. 1t caused the en-
actment Of the law providing for the
resumption of specie payments in 1879;
since then every dollar has been as
good as gold.
"We are unalterably opposed to
every measure calculated to debase
our currency or impair the credit Of
our country.
"We are therefore opposed to the
free coinage of silver except by interna-
tional agreement with the leading COM
mercial nations of the world, which we
pledge ourselves to promote, and until
such agreement can be obtained, the
existing gold standard must be pre-
served. All our silver and paper cur
rency now in circulation must be main
tanned at parity with gold, and we
favor all measures designed to maintain
inviolably the obligations ofthe United
States; all our money, whether coin or
paper, at the present standard, the
standard of the most enlightened ma
tons ofthe earth.'
A number of mem bers of the COM
mittee objected to this plank notably
Mr.. Teller, who made strenuous
fight, attempting to amend with sub
stitute. The scene just here was very
pathetic. The amendment took the
form of a substitute and declared in
general terms for the free and unlimit-
ed coinage Of silver at a ratio of 16 to 1.
Senator Teller spoke for thirty min
utes. His utterances were followed
with deep interest. for all present
realized that the hour had arrived
when one of the founders Of the Re-
publican party, man who has been
conspicuous in Republican councils
for a third of century; was taking
step which would separate him from
his party friends.
Mr.. Teller spoke with deep emotion
and the sincerity of his purpose was
so manifest that his words produced
deep impression. He spoke of his
long connection with the Republican
party. 1t was the party of his young
manhood, the party of his choice, 1t
was the party with which he had
affiliated for thirty-five years. 1t was
party that had given him great
honors and he had served it Loyalty.
"But," he exclaimed, in a voice of
deep earnestness, "the time had come
when | shall be obliged to leave lit if it
declares fol- the single gold standard"
Senator Lodge also spoke deploring
the difference but still insisting on the
plank which was then adopted. When
the convention met, the report of she
committee on permanent organization
was presented and adopted. 1t named
Senator ]. M. Thurston of Nebraska
chairman. They soon after adjourned
to meetIWednesday morning.
Notwithstanding the radical position
assumed by the silver men, it it notice
able that only four-Senaters Teller,
Dubois and Cannon, and Mr.. Cleveland
Of Montana-announced that they
would leave the party. Two other
members of the committee-Hartman,
of Montana, and DR.. Mott, of North
Carolina-stated that they were still
Republicans and would stick to the
party.
When the convention met on Thurs
day morning the minority of the plat
form committee presented report
through Senator Teller which was
backed up by ten of the committee and
I74H votes. The majority report fa-
voring the gold standard by a vote Of
SISH, This minority report took the
form of a substitute and motion was
made to lay this substitute on the
table. The resolution was tabled by
vote Of SISK to 1851, California voting
against tabling.
The financial plank was then adop-
ted, subsequently the remainder Of the
platform
Yesterday afternoon Senator Con:l
non of Utah, a strong