The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-04
JUST LIKE A DIME MUSEUM

nclng Democrats as Congressman w. ID.
Bynum of Indiana aud others of the same
character who never bolted their party,
and in earnest voices, though few, are de-
manding the reaffirmation of the oldtime
Democratic principles and the return to
time-honored and respectable methods.
Congressman Bynum spent the greater
part of to-day in the headquarters of the
Indiana sound-money delegation in the
Palmer House. OF the thirty delegates
from that State twenty-six favor free
coinage and four are for the present gold
standard. But these four claim TO rep
resent the true Democratic sentiment of
their State. They have accordingly flung
their banner to the breeze having en-
gagged the finest parlors in that aristocratic
hostelry, and have gathered around them
handful of representatives Of the old
party-men whose words must be listened
10 with respect if not with assent.
Among the leading gentlemen is Con-
gresham Bynum. 1 had talk with him
to-day and found him to be very outspok-
en- as to his opinion of the nondescript
character of the present convention. He
is big man physically as well as mental
ly, and stands high in the regard of the
members in Congress. He is such a man
whose words would have great weight in
Democratic convention, but in the present
revolutionary committee it is not likely
that he will be given hearing at all. He
was especially severe on the element
which controlled the Indiana State Con-
vention by which the present silver dele
gates were chosen. He said that the State
Convention was made up of Populists
cranks and disgruntled Democrats, who
dominated the convention all through,
while they turned down every honest, self
sacrificing Democrat of any prominence of
the State.
THE men who are here in the sound
money cause" SAID Bynum, ''are the men
who have carried on the battles of De-
mocracy and who have helped it to sue
cess in the State of Indiana They were
not given a voice in ths convention to
show how they disregarded all their party
obligations. l Will say that they ousted
the chairman of our State committee and
will not allow him to be member of the
National delegation from Indiana TO this
convention. We are here to represent the
solid Democrats of our State, for it seems
to me that Republicans and Populists are
the leading spirits here. They seem to
have a greater voice in the affairs of the
NATIONAL Democracy than men higher up
IN the party who were born Democrats
You know whom / mean-Dubois, Petit
grew, Stewart OF Nevada, Congressman
Schaffner OF Colorado and others of the
same political complexion-an of them
Republicans. They have set up their
headquarters here in the Democratic camp
and are booming a disgruntled Republican
for the Presidency on the Democratic
ticket. What ought to appear stranger
still is the fact that their ad vice. instead
of being repudiated and ignored, is on
many points OF procedure and policy ac-
cepted with thanks"
There is another organization here. not
Democratic one, but hodge-podge of
Republicans, Populists and other people
OF the same fry, called the Bimettalic
League, an organization formed in the in
terest of the silver miners. 1t has also set
up its tent in the doorway of the Demo-
cratic council-chambe Der and is assisting the
nondescript politicians of this peculiar
convention IN ignoring all the time-hon-
ored and sound tenets of the Democracy.
There seems to be no disposition to re-
form the very undemocratic manners of the
political dictators. The same men who
were here four years ago shouting for
sound money and Cleveland are shouting
against him now and in favor of the free.
coinage of silver. The reason for their
change OF tune is that most OF them have
been disappointed in their political ambl- |
tions, and they have now started on cam
paign of rule or ruin"
no ha hot - - 7
asked.
'They will adopt 16 to 1 free coinage |
PLATFORM" responded the Congressman,
''and they will nominate their candidates |
for President and Vice President" The |
speaker paused here.
'"Wel?"
Mr. Bynum reflected for a few seconds |
and then said: THAT is as far as thev |
will get"
The speaker added that the substantial |
men of the Democratic party were not
ready yet for the free coinage of silver.
at is a departure from Democratic
principles and the platform. The tariff is a |
very important issue at this time with the |
working people of the United States.
Many new and thickly settled manufac
turing centers have been recently deveI-
oped in the gas belt. and the tariff will be
an issue of considerable Importance to
them. Ii there was not deficiency in the
revenue of the Nation that issue would
not cut any figure at all, but because of
the deficiency the tariff proposition has
forced itself to the front"
"Do you think that the people of the
United States have been and are satisfied
with the operations of the Wilson bill?'
was my next question.
Bynum replied: "Some manufacturers
are satisfied with the Wilson bill and some
are not Woolen manufacturers are com
planning more than any Others. The
whole wooden industry is complaining
more than any other / know Of The iron
men don't seem to complain any, nor do
the glass men.
"Our object in coming here and estab-
fishing headquarters Is to raise our voice
in protest against the threatened disrup-
ton and destruction of the Democratic
party by the Populists, Republicans and