Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-18
CONSIDERING THE PLATFORM.
Gold Plank Adopted-TcIIer ana
Others say Gooi-By.

Others say Gooi-By.
ST. LOUIS, MO. June lit was 1880
when Chairman Foraker called the full
Committee on Resolutions together. The
platform was read by paragraphs. the
! agreement being that each paragraph
should be voted upon separately. The pre-
amble was objected 10. and the phrase
ology was ordered 10 be changed 80 that
the wording OF the paragraph should be
less obscure.
Mr. Teller, Of Colorado. arose. and
stated that he had prepared a minority
report on the financial plank which he
would present when the subject was
reached. The remainder Of the platform.
he added. was entirely satisfactory TO him.
The tariff plank vas agreed 10 unani-
mously. So also was the sugar plank. A
strong declaration was made for n pro-
tective duty on wool and woollens. The
protection OF American shpbuilding and
the development of American commerce
was also demanded.
Al Of Mr.. Tellers amendments to the
financial plank were voted down.
There was a pathetic scene I'm the COM
mittee room when the financial plank was
reached. and Senator Teller, Of Colorado.
presented his minority report II took
the form Of a substitute. and declared i'm
general terms for the free and unlimited
coinage Of silver at the ratio Of 16 TO l.
Senator Teller spoke for thirty minutes
His utteranccs were followed with deep
interest, for all present realized that the
hour had arrived when one Of the found
ers OF the Republican party a man who
has been conspicuous IN Republican coun-
ellis for a third Of a century. was taking
"a step which would separate him from his
party friends
TELLER DEEPLY MOVED.
Mr.. Teller spoke with deep emotion. and
the sincerity Of his purpose was so mani
fest that his words produced deep inn
preston. lie spoke OF his long connec-
ton with the Republican party. II was
the party OF his young manhood; the
party OF his choice. II was the party
with which he had affiliated for thirty
FIVE years. IL was party that had given
him great honors. and he had served it
Loyalty.
But" he exclaimed. in a voice OF deep
earnestness. THE time has come when 1
shall be obliged to leave it If it declares
for the sngle-gold standard"
He explained. In conclusion. that he had
not originally intended 10 speak az such
length, but that he was carried away by
the Importance of his subject. II was
purely a matter OF conscience and princi-
pie. There was no question Of personal
ambition involved. He might be wrong:
he believed he was not. Time alone could
tell whether he or the trainers Of this
plank were right.
Senator Lodge. OF Massachusetts,. ex-
planned that no choice was left TO the
committee but TO adopt the plank in ques-
tion. He expressed his high appreciation
OF Mr.. Teller, and stated his belief that
he was acting from conscientious motives.
but that the Republicans had come to the
parting Of the ways, and 10 Mr.. Teller
and his associates he wished 10 announce
that they carried with them the fun re-
spect of the committee.
Mr.. Cleveland. OF Nevada. asserted that
with such a plank his State could not be
kept I'm the Republican column.
Mr.. Lennon, OF California said that
the western men had come here under a
belief that the committee would be friend
ly 10 silver He explained his connection
with the last three Republican campaigns
in California; that they had done what
they could TO keep the state I'm line but
that the effect OF this action would be 20
wipe out a Republican majority OF 1000
and make the State Democratic
CANNON EARNEST ALSO.
Mr.. Cannon. Of Utah. like Mr. Teller
created a profound sensation by the ear
nestness OF his remarks. His voice was
choked with emotion. and he proceeded
with difficulty. He pointed out that Utah
had been converted from a Democratic
Territory into a Republican State. but
that IL would be irretrievably lost IL the
PARTY were committed 10 the gold stand |
ard. He bitterly deplored the necessity
which compelled him 10 leave the party |
OF his choice, but existing circumstances |
left him no alternative.
Mr.. Mott, of North Carolina, asserted |
that he had gone into this campaign for !
Mckinley. believing that that gentleman |
was friendly TO silver. He failed 10 find |
any utterance of McKinleys to the con- |
trary. II Mr.. Mckinley was unfavorable |