The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-08-31
HEADQUARTERS
CALIFORNIA SILVER CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE,
BALDWIN HOTEL.

BALDWIN HOTEL.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Aug. 81, 1896. J
To the People Of ca iforiafa; In entering upon
campaign oil education and earnest en-
deavor, the California Silver Campaign COM
mittee deems II fitting that some statement as
TO the reasons for its existence, its hopes ana
purposes, be made 10 those whose support Ill
tends to ask, whose assistance 1T Will try 10
secure.
This is a campaign OF the people against the
corporations, of the masses against the classes,
of the producer against the powers which nave
banded together TO squeeze from him the ultl-
mate farthing of his production. In the hgnt
of such campaign, party lines grow dim or
are entirely oblteraIed, and honesty OF .pur-
pose becomes the one test for membership IN
the on-marching army OF financial reform.
Those who speculate in the money OF the
people, careless as to the misery caused by
their speculation, are arranging campaign
of bribery and intimidation; They WIZ stop
at nothing to continue class domination.
They are already at work
Their Vaccinations must be counteracted,
their schemes defeated, their dark dolngs
brought into the light. Their sophlstrles
neutraliZed, their briberies exposed. The
great financial problem must be elucidated
and the benefits of the proposed Legislation IN
favor of the free coinage of silver at ratio OF
Is to put so plainly before the people that
none need err therein.
1t is to do these things that the California
Silver Campaign Committee is arranging 10
bend its energies 1t will combat error, ex-
pose fraud and assist the truth. 1t has no prl-
Yate ambitions to further, no private enemies
to punish, no ends TO subserVe, except such as
make for the public good. II is for these rea-
sons that the committee feels in position TO
invite the cooperation, support and active
assistance of all opponents OF The gold power,
all true friends OF the silver cause.
Some time after the close OF the National
conventions a number of citizens who had
been active in the effort to have the silver
issue injected into the campaign, and whose
unwavering opposition to a single gold stan
dard cannot be questioned, invited confer
ence of represen tatlves OF all parties In order
to discuss the best methods OF waglng the peo-
pies war. Out of that conference grew this
campaign committees committee entirely
non-partisan, with but one end and alma
triumph OF silver and the plain people, OF the
masses over such corporations as enter poll
tics 10 debauch them, OF right over wrong.
Once this triumph is accomp .ished, this COM
mittee will go out OF existence, making no re-
quests for preferment, asking no favors, eX-
pecting no reward beyond the consciousness of
a duty honestly performed.
There is natural reluctance, even in times
of greatest stress, to depart entirely from
party affiliations, TO jump at one bound the
party fences. So this committee hopes TO be-
come the rallying point for all friends OF sill
yer, for all who desire the restoration of the
white metal to It's natural and proper posi-
ton in the finances OF the country, for all who
wish for a betterment of present financial and
commercial conditions 1t asks no man to
leave his party 10 go into another. 1t hopes to
band together Repu blicans, Populists and
Democrats under the banner of honesty and 10
lead them with the battle cry OF True money
for true men,"
The committee feels that the great mass of
the people of California is opposed 10 the exac-
lions OF certain great corporations which have
led and are still leading the movement Tor
class legislation to the detriment OF ;he pro-
ducing toilers. Inasmuch as these corporations
are opposing the silver cause, just as they
have fought all measures intended TO tighten
the burdens OF the people, this committee Will
oppose them and use its influence 20 check
their rapacity and defeat their evil inten tons.
We are upon like grounds uncomprOmlslngl ely
opposed TO any snd all schemes Tor the refund
ing of the Pacific Railroad indebtedness to the
United States as unwarranted by the die ates
of justice and fair dealing, and an attempt to
secure special privileges for corporate power
contrary TO the spirit OF republican form OF
governmen mt and subversive OF the best inter-
ests of the people of the State of California.
On the other hand, we hope TO be instru-
mental in encouraging legitimate industry in
promoting business, in checking the attempts
OF the gold shouters to produce panic, and 10
give al lines of honest endeavor surer basis
in more profitable returns We feel that the
free coinage OF silver will directly benefit the
producer, the laborer, the farmer, the manu-
facturer, the artisan, and that their interests
are superior to those of the stock jobber, the
Spectator and the exaeting corporations
which hope to grow richer by reducing the
price of labor and interfering with the free
expression OF the peoples win.
With this brief declaration of its intentions,
the comm ttee feels that it will be free to ask
the necessary financial aid from the friends of
silver in all parties The funds collected will
be expended with a careful eye to see that
each dollar achieves a result in furthering
silver's cause. The best literature will be sent
out, clubs formed and speakers commissioned.
All subscribers TO the fund and ali those who
assist in the work of organization and the
spread of the peoples doctrines Will be re.
garded as the direct representatives OF the
committee-its sub-commttteemen in the dit
ferent districts. Each will be kept in direct
touch and communication, and in this way it
is expected thai an efficient organization will
be maintained without the expense attendant
upon the maintenance of party machinery.
and the stirring work of q campaign so con-
Quoted will result in overwhelming success.
We hope TO assist in removing the Grown OF
thorns from the brow of labor" TO make honest
work worth honest dollars and to further the
election OF William Jennings Bryan to the
Presidency of the United States.
California Silver Campaign Committee.
G. D. LANE, Chairman National Silver Party.