The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-18
THE SILVER MEN
WILL RETIRE
Western Republican Leaders Refuse to
Support the Gold Plank.
Mr.. TELLER'S IMPRESSIVE SPEECH
The Loyal Senator from Colorado
Bids His Party Farewell at n Meet.
ing Of the Platform Committee.
Cannon, Dubois and Hartmann
Follow Suit.

st. Louis, June lit was 1O:30 when
Chairman Foraker called the full COM
mittee on resolutions together. The
platform was read by paragraphs, the
agreement being that each paragraph
should be voted upon separately. The
preamble was objected to and the
phraseology was ordered to be changed
50 that the wording of the paragraph
should be less obscure.
Mr.. Teller. of Colorado, arose and
stated that he prepared a minority re-
port on the financial plank. which he
would present when that subject was
reached. The remainder of the plat
form, he added. was entirely satisfac-
tory to him.
The tariff plank was agreed to unan-
imously.
The sugar plank was finally adopted
precisely in the words sent out by the
United States early this morning. A
strong declaration was made for a pro-
tective duty on woods and woolens. The
protection of American building
and the development of American COM
merCe We're also demanded.
All of Mr. Teller's amendments to the
piohN NViS NotSu uo"h
A PATHETIC SCENE.
There was pathetic scene in the
committee room when the financial
plank was reached and Senator Teller,
of Colorado. presented his minority re-
port. 1t took the form of a substitute
and declared in general terms for the
free and unlimited coinage of silver at
ratio of 16 to l. Senator Teller spoke
for three minutes. His utterances were
followed with deep interest, for all
| present realized that the hour had ar
rived when one of the founders of the
Republican party, man who has been
conspicuous in Republican councils for
third Of century, was taking a step
which would separate him from his par
ty friends.
Mr.. Teller spoke with deep emotion
and the sincerity of his purpose was so
manifest that his words produced a
deep impression.
He spoke of his long connection with
the Republican party. 1t was the party
OF his young manhood; the party OF
his choice. 1t was th&r party with
which he had affiliated for thirty five
years. 1t was party that had given
him great. honors and he had served 1t
loyalty. But" he exclaimed. in Vjice
of deep earnestness, 1.-The time has come
when ! shall be obliged to leave II, IL
II declares for the single gold stand
ard"
He acknowledged in conclusion that
he had not originally intended to speak
| Snnh 1anuth h,,t hot ha rcfo =
away by the importance of his subject.
1t was purely matter of conscience
and principle. There was no question
of personal ambition involved. He
might be wrong; he believed not. Time
alone could tell whether he. or the
trainers of this plank were right.
OTHER STATES WILL BE LOST.
Mr.. Cleveland, of Nevada, asserted
that with such a plank his state could
not be kept in the Republican column.
Mr.. Cannon, of Utah, like Mr.. Teller,
created a profound sensation by the
earnestness of his remarks. His voice
was choked with emotion several times,
and he proceeded with great difficulty.
He pointed out that Utah had been con-
verted from Democratic territory into
Republican state, but that 1t would
be irretrievabs lost If the party were
committed to the gold standard.
Mr.. Dubois. of Idaho, also announced
that he would follow his associates.
Messrs. Teller and Cannon, In leaving
the party, although he regretted that
necessity com: :elled him to take this
step. He spoke at some length of the 10y
atty of the extreme western states to the
Republican party Each has two Re-
publicans in the senate, but the same
could not be said of many of the eastern
states, whose representatives werS
adopting course that was driving the
silver men from their party associates
If this gold plank was adopted. the Re-
publican party, would, he said, lose
control of the senate and not regain II
In a quarter of a century.
Before a vote was taken on Mr.. Tel
ler's sixteen to one substitute, Mr.. Oar.
lington. CT Pennsylvania arose and re.
piled specifically to Senator Taller's
declaration that the Republican party
had fallen under the dominion of LON
bard and Wall streets.
rcunced that he could not and would not
support a candidate standing on this
platform. The Republican platform ir
1892 had declared for gold and silver as
the standard money. This platform
contained a declaration for gold only
and the silver men demanded both. The
silver men stood by the party principles
and until such time as the party might
return to the double standard they could
not support its candidate. Mr.. McKin-
ley was an horcst man and would hon.
estly interpret the platform. The silver
men were not antagonizing men but
principles in this struggle and In this
campaign Mckinley would stand fol
gold.
Nj. Fessenden, of Connecticut. ex.
planned why it was necessary to adopt
the gold plank and expressed his regret
at this difference of opinion within the
party.
RESULT OF THE VOTE.
Thevote was then taken on the Teller
substitute and ii was defeated-ayes 10
noes Al. Those voting in the affirmative
were the delegates from Colorado. Cali.
fornia. Utah. Montana, Idaho, Wyo.
ming, Arizona. Nevada, North Carolina
and New Mexico.
Before the sense of the committee
was taken on the gold plank, Mr. Lafod-
lette, of Wisconsin, arose to a personal
explanation. He directed attention tc
a statement made by Mr.. Teller thai
himself and MIR. Gear. of Iowa, had per.
formed the principal work in the prepa.