The record-union., 1896-07-08

ard it is evident that we must change
the existing bimetallic standard of pay
ment of all public debts, taxes and
appropriations, save those specifically
payable in gold only. And as we have
twenty billions of public and private
debt. it would take more than three
times all the gold in the country to pay
one years interest in that medium. We
should be compelled hereafter to con-
tract the currency by paying the f1ve
hundred millions of greenbacks and
Sherman notes in gold, which would
nearly exhaust the entire American
stock in and out of the treasury, and
the same policy would require that the
three hundred and forty-four millions
CT silver certificates should be paid IN
gold, as foreshadowed by the present
Director of the Mint in his recommen-
dation. This means the increase of the
public debt by five hundred millions OF
interest bearing gold bonds, with the
prospect of three hundred and forty
four millions to follow. The disastrous
consequences of such a policy are ap-
palling to contemplate, and the only
alternat tive suggested is the free coin
age of silver as well as gold, and the
complete restoration of our American
system of bimetallism.
Bring us, we pray you, no more
makeshifts and straddles. Vex the
country with no more prophesies OF
smooth things to come from the British
Republican gold propaganda. We may
learn that this great nation, with nat
ural base (as Gladstone said of the
greatest conservative empire ever es-
tahlished by man, with far more ter
ritory and productive enterprises than
England France and Germany COM
bined, without dependence on Europe
for anything it produces, and with Eu-
ropean dependence upon US for much
that we produce, is fully capable OF
restoring its constitutional money sys-
tenn of gold and silver at equality with
each other, and as our fathers in 1l1G
declared our national independence, SO
now the party founded by Thomas JEFF
ferson the author of that declaration,
meet here to declare our financial inde-
pendence of all nations, and to invoke
all true Americans to assert it by their
votes and place their country where it
of right belongs, as the freest and fore
most nation of the earth
The extreme length of Senator Dan
el's speech weakened the attention
paid to his remarks, and during great
part of the time occupied in it's deliv-
cry the buzz of conversation in the
halls and galleries almost drowned his
resnonant voice. Only when he ut
tered some recognized phrase, such as
16 to /, was there any revival of in
terest and applause.
He closed by announcing that the
National Democratic Convention was
now in session, and was ready to pro-
ceed to the business of organization.
Immediately there arose cries OF
Hill" from all parts of the hall, and
the Sergeant-at-Arms was called upon
to restore order.
Senator Jones of Arkansas arose at
this juncture and offered resolutions OF
thanks to Chairman Harrity, which
were adopted, for the manner in which
he had discharged his duty as pre-
siding officer.
Resolutions that the rules of the Fif-
ty-third Congress govern the conven-
ton until otherwise ordered were of
fered by Senator White of California
and adopted.
On motion of Ex-Governor Eogg OF
Texas, the roll was called to give each
State and Territory an opportunity tc
name its selections for the Committees
on Credentials, Permanent Organiza-
ton, Rules and Order of Business and
Platform.
The loud cries of "Hill," were re-
newed before the question could be put
but the New York Senator did not re-
spond, and the call proceeded.
General E. b. Finley of Ohio, in be-
half of the contestants from South Da-
kota, entered a protest against any
members whose names are now accred
tied to South Dakota being appointed
to serve on committees.
Chairman Daniel decided, however
that the contests could be decided only
by reference to the Committee on Gre
dentials, and that the request of the
contestants could not be granted
Congressman Sulzer of New York
took advantage of the interruption tc
offer his Cuban plank (Which was not
read for reference to the Committee on
Resolutions
When the various committees had
been appointed the members of them
withdrew for organization, and the
convention then, at 4 40 D. M. ad-
journed until tomorrow morning at lC
O'Clock.