The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-06-25
State Convention Adopts Free
Silver Platform.
SHlvELEY FOR GOVERNOR
Largest Political Meeting Ever
Held in the State.
GOV. MATTHEWS FOR PRESIDENT
For the First Time in indana's History
There Was Fully Accredited
Female Delegate in the
Convention.

Convention.
indianapolis, Ind, June 24.-The
Democratic State convention met in
Tomlinson hall at 10 o'clock a. IN. 1t
was the largest political as
semblage in the State in re-
cent years, and comprised 1,474
delegates, at least rs per cent. OF
these representing the ultra-silyer wing
of the party
Robert C. Bell, of Allen county, was
unanimously chosen president of the
convention, and made strong speech
and referred to Governor Matthews as
a candidate for the presidency.
The names of Maj. q. V. Menzies, of
Mount Vernon, and Gilbert Shanlllin,
OF Evansville, were presented for dele
eyftes-at-large. Menzies us a gold advo-
cate and Snanklin favors free silver.
The convention plainly favored Shank
lin, but Shaklin made speech OF with
drawal, giving as his reasons that he
had been informed that Governor Mat
tnews favored Men1ies, and the latter
WOULD be faithful to the conventions
Instructions at Chicago.
Mr.. ShaniSlin was not further consid-
cred, though his withdrawal was dis
appointment to majority of the dele
gates.
The committee on credentials report
ed. 1t favored the free silver contest
ants in the majority of cases.
\ minority report was filed by the
gold advocates.
For the first time in the history of
political conventions in Indiana, fe-
male delegate, fully and duly accredit-
ed, was on the floor. She was Mrs.
A. D. Leach, Of Sullivan. She is law
yer by profession.
The platform adopted in part is as
follows:
I'VE re-affirm our adherence to and
faith in the Democratic doctlfne of
bi-lnetallism, and therefore we demand
the immediate restoration of bimetal-
ism by the free and unrestricted coin
age of both silver and gold, as primary
money, at the ratio of 16 to 1, without
waiting for the cooperation of Great
Britain or any other nation. All such
coinage to be full legal tender value.
Resolved, That we believe the exist
ing tariff laws will be fully equal TO
all demands of needed revenues and ex-
penses of the government, economical
~ administered, under the conditions
which will arise from the restoration
of bi-metallism.
'sWe are opposed to the redemption
and final cancellation of United States
notes (greenbacks), or any other notes
or certificates issued by the United
States to circulate as money.
''We protest against the increase of
the public debt by the issue of interest
bearing bonds, or otherwise, in time
of peace, and of the redemption clause
of the so-called Sherman Resumption
Act Of 1875, authorizing, as is claimed,
the right of the Treasury Department
t,o issue interest bearing bonds without
limit, without the express and definite
authority of Congress as ITO each issue
of such bonds We demand that the
provisions of such act be uncondition-
ally repealed. The Democratic party
has never believed that the public debt
was public blessing.
Eve demand that obligations of the
government of every form be paid and
redeemed in conformity with the laws
under which they were issued in coin,
gold and silver, at the option of the
government of the United States, and
not at the option of the creditor.
Cuba, and that the parties thereto
ought 70 be accorded all the rights oil
belligerents.
The platform closes as follows:
E'We earnestly commend Governor
Matthews in full confidence of success
at the election to the Democracy of
the United States as candidate for the
Presidency and the delegates from In
diana to the National convention are
hereby instructed to cast their votes
in his favor for President, first, last
and all time, and to use all honorable
efforts to secure his nomination. The
thirty delegates selected to represent
the Democracy of Indiana in the Chi
cago National convention are instruct
ed to vote as a unit upon all ques-
tions involving platform or candidates
in the convention"
While the platform was being read
there was much applause, and the re-
ference to free silver was the occasion
for the greatest cheering of the day.
When it was moved that the previous
question be demanded and the platform
adopted there was wild scene. Ex-
Congressman Bynum rose to protest
but was cried down and the platform
was adopted.
Senator Turpie then appeared on
the platform. He was wildly cheered.
At this stage Mr.. Bynum again pro-
tested and demanded that Chairman
Bell read the rules.
There were cries of shear Bynum''
and mo" Finally when Mr.. Turpie
proceeded he spoke in favor of free
silver. He said that silver had been
degraded by legislation and it could be
restored in the same way.
When Senator Turpie had concluded