The Democratic advocate., 1896-06-13
The State Convention.


The Democratic State Convention on We'd
hesday was very harmonious body. There
was an entire absence of any factienal feeling,
and even the differences on the financial ques-
ton we're pleasantly discussed, the gold and
double standard advocates courteousy listen
ing to the views of each other.
The declaration of the convention for the
single gold standard was declaration npon
the lines of policy rather than an expression
of the sentiment of the majority of the party.
Representatives OF FIVE counties on the COM
mittee on resolutions sustained minority re-
port, and the representative of another de-
clined to do so, only because he thought no
expression Of sentiment was necessary, as the
time was near at hand when the national con-
vention will speak and its voice would be a
binding one, whereas state declaration
would have no binding effect. The minority
renort. too. was as extreme as was the ma
iority. Had it been made along the lines of
the declaration of the Carroll county resolu-
ton, "for a sound and stable currency. as
provided for by the constitution of the United
States,'' it would have received much
stronger support.
By advice of prominent men in the party
a number of double standard delegates voted
for the single gold standard. The sentiment
among delegates and others in the lobby OF
the Carrollton hotel on Tuesday night and
Wednesday morning. however, left no room
for doubt that the friends of silver IN the
state are very numerous. and in contest
could readily control the party. The silver
sentiment, too, is growing. The strength OF
it, when the money question was not an issue
except in two counties, where the silver peo
ple won. was surprising When it is consid
cred that all the papers of the state nearly
have been denouncing the advocacy of the
free coinage of silver as a financial heresy, oil
have been silent on the financial question, the
number Of bimetallists in the state is amazing
In some parts of the State the free silver senti
ment is as strong in the Republican party a.
in the Democratic, and if the question wer'
at issue without party interference there cal
not be much doubt that large majority woult
be polled for the restoration of silver as basi'
money metal.
As remarked last week by the ADVOCATE
everybody wants a sound and stable currency
Everybody knows that our present fnancia
system is wrong, when the gold redemption
fund can be raided at any time by a banking
syndicate, necessitaing bond issue and al
addition to the public debt. As remarked
last week the opening of the mints to free coin
age of silver may not be either complete o
proper remedy, but certain Il is amendmen
and change of the present laws and financia
policy ofthe government is necessary. Thirty
five years ago mortgages were almost unknown
and the farmers could pay their debts ant
we're prosperous. Today more than half o
the farms are burdened with mortgages anC
not enough is produced upon the balance tc
realize much above a mere living to theii
owners Not only are the farmers hampered
but many persons engaged in other pursuits
are hampered by debt also.
These conditions may not be the result Of
the demonetization of silver, but many able
public men and writers charge it directly tc
that act, and say that the restoration of silver
to its former function as money metal is the
cure for financial evils and distress. With
the gold standard men recommending nc
change and insisting upon continuation OF
the present system, the people are accepting
the free silver theory. The sentiment for the
restoration of silver is both widespread and
intense, and there will be no eontentment
until the present financial system is changed.