The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-15
PLATT On M'KINLEY.
The Ex-senator Continues to Oppose
the Ohio Candidate.

New York Special to Chicago Tribune.
Thomas c. Plat gave out another inter-
view tonight on the political situation. In
1t he said
The Mckinley managers have undertaken
to break the force of nv charge that his
financial record shows he is an unsafe lead
er for the Republican party at this time
by printing extracts from his recent
speeches. These extracts consist of a lot of
general phrases about the necessity of our
having a currency as good as the best, of
our keeping all Of our dollars equal in value,
and eli that sort of thing. But the Nc
Kinley managers are away from the point
The point Is not that Mckinley has made no
remarks and cast no votes that tend to the
maintenance of the gold money, but that he
has made all sorts Of remarks and cast all
sorts OF votes and, in a word. that he he's
acted in every situation, not from settled
principles and convictions, but in accordance
with what he considered at the time to be
popular. Now If we are going to nominate
Major Mckinley for President, we should do
1t with our eyes open and with the full
knowledge Of what we have got to stand up
against during the campaign, and with as
good a view as we can get of how his cleo
ton will turn out in Its consequence to- the
people, in their efforts, and to our party in
its fortunes.
1T is alleged that the bosses are against
Mckinley, and that he is the peoples man.
There is not single one Of all the men who
are 50 extensively styled bosses who has
not been repeatedly importuned by Mr.. Nc
Kinley's managers to support the Ohio cam
didate. They have not omitted even so
humble a person as myself from those whose
influence they sought.
This attempt to picture Mckinley as a
modern st. George running the blade Of
pure and high-minded politics down the
red and horrid jaws of the dragon boss is
one of the most contemplate humbugs that
has characterized his canvass. 1t is motor
ious that the Mckinley managers have used
all possible inducements to secure delegates
for their candidate, while. on the other
hand, any one of these superior statesmen
who are mentioned as the candidates of the
bosses would take office, if nominated, with
barrass his course or to affiict his conscience.
The methods that have been pursued to
work I'D this Mckinley cyclone may be
all very well for Nly-souied mugwumps and
that sort, but they make so-caEed 'un-
scrupulous boss like myself stand rather
aghast.
Il repeat that my opposition to Mckinley
proceeds from the fact that / foresee the
gravest dangers to the Republican party
wnen he has been elected and we settle
down TO the work or restoring to this coun-
try the prosperity of which Ii has been
robbed by Democratic sectonalists and free
traders
1.-The financial question cannot be ignored.
1t might not have been especially trouble
some IL there had been an uninterrupted
period OF Republican rule. but even then its
embarrassment would only have been post
poned. y protective tariff is only half of our
task, and much the lesser half. because much
the less difficult of accomplishment.
I'VE are all agreed about protection, but
If our bill were ready to-day and If its en-
faneousiy with. the Presidents inaugura--
to know would be still far distant
1.-The great question, then, is the financial
question, and nobody can look at Mr.. Nc
Kinley's record and read the conflicting and
generally fiabby things he has said on that
subject without perceiving he has no fixed
opinion about II and that he has been turned
and twisted by every changing wind OF what
he thought was public opinion.
1.-The most explicit statement he has ever
made upon the subject was In these words.
which he delivered in Congress on June "a
1890. when he moved for a conference COM
mittee:
=. I am for the largest use of silver in the
currency of the country. i would not dis
honor II. 1 would give 1t equal credit and
honor with gold. / would make no discrimi-
nation. / would utilize both metals as money
standard and / believe conference will ac-
complish these purposes.
AS a ratter of fact. he did once vote for
a free-coinage bill. He voted also to over
ride a presidential veto OF such a bill. and
even as late as the Fifty-fourth Congress,
where he made the speech above quoted,
i'm all the caucus controversies among the
Republican majority. Mr. Mckinley. who
was a member OF the advisory committee
of fifteen appointed to deal with. the cur
rency question. continually favored the
granting Of concessions 10 the silver element.
cit is time. and high time. for the bust
Is going on In the effort TO push the ncmina-
ton OF Mckinley through the Republican
convention with a whoop and hurrah
''Tbe Republican party Is not in favor,
as Mr. Mckinley saw he Is. of the double
standard II does not want. as he says no
does to give silver EQUAL credit and
honor with gold II Is without disguise a
gold-standard party. II has had enough OF
crazy schemes Co make money out OF al
sorts of paper resting on al sorts Of Sc
curity.
.It has had enough OF attempts TO con-
ciliate a sentiment that can never be con-
ciliated I'm the first place and ought not to
be coDciliated In the second. When McKin-
ley saws he Is for the largest use Of silver in
the currency OF the country he saws he Is for
n dehased currenc'r and for another perioi
OF silver imitation. business uncertainty and
general peculiarly loss TO every producer
81 submit 10 the business men of this coun-
try. whose sentiment can always control
a nominating convention. that they had bst-
ter do something between now and June IL
on other subjects than the silly twaddie CT
newspapers about bosses and boss rule :"