Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-06-24
WISCONSIN DEMOCRATS
Adopt Gold Standard and Elect Delegates to
the Chicago Convention.

Milwaukee, June 23.-During the re
cess OF the Democratic state conven
| ton the free silver men. to the number
of about GO, held caucus. 1t was re-
| solved to make a fight for two of tho
| delegates at large and prevent, If pos
sible. the outright declaration for thu
gold standard in the platform.
No Presidential preferences to speak
| Of were expressed by the delegates
There was some sentiment ;or Ex-
| Gov. Russell of Massachusetts, and w. c.
Whitney Of New York. When the con-
vention reassembled, the temporary Of
| ficers were made permanent
Two reports Of the committee on Gre
dentials were presented. The majority
report endorsed the wise and patriotic
administration of President Cleveland
commenting the course in Congress OF
Senators Villas and Mitchell, and re-
affirmed the doctrine that this govern
ment should impose no tariff taxes ex-
cept for revenue.
And then said: We believe the de-
mands Of commerce. built upon the
broad and enlightened doctrine of free
trade, requires currency that cannot
be discredited in any civilized coun-
try.
Realizing this logical demand for the
best money for international trade
realizing also the dangers of fiat cur
rency in domestic use, and aware that
the present condition OF coamArtial
distress call for patriotic and. sturdy
maintepance of national honor ana fl
nancial integrity. we declare ourselves
opposed to the free and unlimited COIN
age of Silver. and in favor of gold, the
highest monetary standard of the
world.
We hereby direct the delegates from
Wisconsin to the national Democratic
sconvention to vote as q unit on all sub
jects and candidates when and as u
majority " the convention may di-
rect"
The names of Cleveland. Villas and
Mitchell We're loudly cheered, as was
the financial part of the report The
minority report recommended the
adoption of the following: Resolved,
that We reaffirm the platform of the
last national Democratic convention
and particularly upon the subject Of
coinage, believing far interpreta-
tIonof the same favors free and un-
limited coinage of both silver and gold
as legal tender money of the country"
The report was signed by W c. Silver
thorn. G. T.. Armin. Thomas F. Hay
den and X. c. Falconer
When Mr.. Silverthorn took the floor
TO read the minority report, the cheers
broke out louder than ever. He caued
the leaders of both parties "proto-
plastic prevaricators."
After the reports had been pre-
scented. loud cries for Villas filled the
air and perfect pandemonum of
applause greeted the suggestion. The
senator took the platform in response
to the cheers. which continued for
some moments, and made a stirring
appeal for the gold standard. Speeches
followed by Delegates Dockery in
favor of silver. Bomrch. advocating a
straddle in the financial question. and
Gen. Bragg in behalf of gold. The mi
nority report was rejected: 271 to 2ls
The majority report was unani- |
mously passed. The following dele
gates large were selected: Senator
w. Villas, Gen. Edward s. Bragg. |
James q. Flanders of Milwaukee, and |
James j. Hogan of Lacross. At 6. the
convention adjourned sine die