The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-06-25
John Boyd Thatcher Sees 1t,
Looking in the Direction
Of Chicago.
His Speech as Temporary Chair
man of the New York
Convention.
Illinois Democrats Nominate Alt
geld Conventions in Ohio
and Indiana.

SARATOGA, NY, June 25.--The Dem
Ocratic state convention declared for the
present gold standard, pending the time
when bimetalllsm could be secured by
international agreement.
Before the time for the assembling OF
the convention, it was given out that
Senator Hill would be the permanent
chairman. The list of alternates had
also undergone complete revision, ex-
Postmaster General Bissell having de-
cided to go to Chicago as district del
egate, rather than as an alternate-at-
large, even with the promise of Senator
Murphy's proxy. Mr.. r. Grace had
also declined.
Thatcher Sees Danger.
The convention was called to order
by Chairman Hinckley, who introduced
Mayor John Boyd Thatcher of Albany
as temporary chairman.
In the course of his speech on assum-
ing the chair, Mr.. Thacher said:
Facing Chicago, we confess that the
situation Is not without peril. Circum
stances, some of which perhaps might
have been controlled, have created
what we believe to be an erroneous finan-
cial faith, n faith which has spread alarm
ingly in the West and South, and which
has found adherents even in the East and
North 1t is a faith which is not to be
eradicatcd with the sword, but with the
pen and tongue. With many it is II pan
acea for commercial disorders. Men hold
these false views through a misconception
Of economic truths and through not un-
derstanding economic law or the times
and season of their application. Not
everything which is signed and sealed is
valid. The stamp of the government on a
piece of silver can never make 1t worth
much more than the world is willing to
give for it.
1t is passing, strange that the very men
who have such marvellous faith In the
power of their government should seem to
have SO little sentiment as to its seal.
They reverence its seal, but appear to be
indifferent as to it's escutcheon. If we are
to accomplish our mission at Chicago we
must go there to persuade erring brothers
and not to quarrel with enemies. The
people who hold these strange views are
honest, but mistaken. We must make
them see that we are as honest as they are,
and that our views are right. At this late
day the task seems gigantic, but 1t Is not
hopeless If ever there should be q cam
paign Of education it Is now. 1t is the duty
of the Democracy in the present crisis to
Speak Clearly on the Financial Question.
The party of jefferson and Jackson has
always favored the best money in use,
the money adopted as the standard by
hn lt,vht nf ha avth h
Neither consideration of expediency, nor
the selfish interest of those who own silver
bullion should lead us to depart from the
safe and secure path The people have not
forgotten that the silver purchase law,
bearing the name Of an Ohio statesman,
was the work of Republican congress
and Of Republican president. That law
made Of silver commodity and untitled
it for its true mission, a medium of ex-
change Nor have the people forgotten
that the repeal of that law was the work
Of a Democratic congress and of Demo
cratic president. If it had done no other
thing in it's four years Of power and re-
sponsibility, our party should have the
gratitude and confidence Of the country
for thus stopping the coinage of 7O-cent
dollar.
Mr.. Thatcher's speech was freely ap.
plauded.
During the call of the roll of dele.
gates there were enthusiastic and pro.
tracted cheers when the name of Will.
lam G. Whitney was reached, and q
demonstration Of almost equal fervo1
greeted the name of David B. Hill, a
few minutes later.
On reconvening the temporary organ.
ization was made permanent. The com
mittee on credentials reported in favor
of the sitting delegates in every case
and upon the report being adopted, the
Shepardites from Kings county and the
Wayne county contestants walked out
of the convention amid Kisses foom the
delegates.
The New York Platform.
The platform adopted by the Demo
cratic state convention declared that the
decline in the commercial value of silve,
has brought abont disparity between
that metal and gold which can only bt
adjusted with the cooperation of Other
governments. Until an international
agreement can be reached, the platform
declares for the maintenance of the ex
listing gold standard.
IVTCCTn EnD CNVEpN0D