The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-06
NO C0WARDICE
In Duluth, Mimi, on the Silver
Question.
Bankers, Business Men and Pro-
fessiOnaI Men
FORM A SILVER CLUB
With a Thousand Active Work
ing Members.
Called TOwne Club After ITheir
Popular Congressman.


the theory that all those who are be-
levers in bimetaIlism are afflicted with
a silver craze" Duluth is a gigantic
silver BedIam.
A free silver club has been formed
composed of all the leading Repubh-
cans in the city.
In the old postoff1ce block on Fourth
avenue west Friday night a TOwne
club was organized and in an incredibly
short space of tiTne@500 names were en-
rolled in the club, amidst the greatest
enthusiasm, and the leading RepubH-
can paper says they are not the names
of cranks or political buffOOns or any
thing Of the kind. They are good
solid business and professional men of
all parties, with a number Of labor
leaders and a large sprinkling of mem
bers of the rank and file, the common
people, whose votes are justfas big and
just as good as those of any one in
the land.
The list is not going to stop at 500,
either. Almost enough additional names
have been promised to bring the total
up to 1000, where it will be within
few days. Each and every man who
signed the club rolls agrees to support
Charles A. Towne for congress with
A feature of the list which is espe-
cially noticeable is the number of men
upon it who have been staunch Re
publicans from time long past, but who
at this juncture have to pass up the
party in favor of principle.
The hall was packed Friday evening
and the appearance of the audience
would be q revelation to those who
have prophesied that Towne would
stand alone. Not only were there citizens
and business and professional men, but
there were OfficehOlderS.
Every time that Towne's name was
mentioned there was howl that
threatened to raise the roof, and be-
cause of this contingency it is said the
owners of the hall have raised the
rent.
Brief addresses were made by promi-
nent Republicans.
R. c. Mitchell said that he was al
ways republican up to two years
ago, but he had to pull out then, and
he was glad to see so many compan-
ions. He roasted the party for it's stand
today and euIOgized Towne for his
courageous and manly stand.
J. H. Baker said that he did not vote
for Towne two years ago; in fact, he
worked against him; but he wanted to
be considered a TOWne man now.
D. H. Morgan said that he had been
a lifelong Republican, but he could not
support the present platform. He would,
however, support the silver ticket from
top to bottom, and especially Towne for
congress.
Harry R. Armstrong said that when
he heard that a TOwne club was to be
organized he made up his mind to get
into it, and he was proud to enroll him
self as a member and to support
Charles a. Towne.
Dr. Y. Smith said that he was too
old to talk, but he Just wanted to say
that he was leaving the Republican
party, Of which he had been a lifelong
member, because its stand on silver is
an entire change from what it has
been. He would vote for the entire
! silver ticket, especially for Charles A.
| ToWne.
Judge Boyle said that he had always
voted the Republican ticket, but at this
/ election, to his sorrow, he could not do
so. He regretted that the Republican
party had departed from its principles,
/ but he could not accompany it 1T is
! queer he said, that I should not now
/ be considered a good Republican. Two
! years, four years, and in fact, ever since
first voted have always been a good
I Republican, and although now, when
| stand in the same position and for the
! same principles that 1 always did, I am
| not a good Republican. However others
| may look at it, I still claim to be a Re
| publican and I shall support the true
| Republican principles and shall vote
| the ticket bearing the name of Charles
A TOwne for congress and the names
| of men pledged to bimetallism on the
| national ticket"
! Sheriff Butchart made few remarks
! in which he reiterated all that he had
! said before and again pledged his sup
/ port to Charles A. Towne. He was
| heartily cheered.
County Surveyor Fred Davis was
| called upon and said: IF 1 say that ]
! am in favor of TOwne for congress il
and what I have had no hesitancy in
saying before I had not intended tc
| speak of it at this time, but like my
friend Butchart, I am not going to &C
! before the Republican convention for E
! nomination on that ticket (appIause)
| but I shall work and vote for Charles
/ A. Towne." This new convert from the
| ranks of Republican officeholders was
heartily cheered for his stand
John T. Dow said that he had some
difficulty in locating himself as to Re
! publicanism. His friends had asked
him where he stood, and all he could
! say was that he was certain he was fol
| Towne and free silver first of all.
John Owens was called upon and he
| read a statement from the Minneapoli:
Journal to the effect that Towne stood
| all alone and that not a wheel would
move unless he put his individual
! shoulder to it. Mr.. Owens gave the lie
to that statement in ringing tones, and
| he said that if God spared his life and
| lungs he would read it to 50. 600 people
| before election. He urged hard worl
| upon those present, and pledged his
own support for ToWne