The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-03-25
A NOTE OF WARNING
SOUNDED AT A CONFERENCE OF Sill.
YER REPUBLICANS.

SOUNDED AT A CONFERENCE OF SILL
YER REPUBLICANS.
Western G. O. T. Men Will Not Stand a
Single Standard PIatform-.-Protection
and Free Silver Go Together.
WASHINGTON, March 19.-At the
Hotel Page, an important conference
was held tonight between the silver
Republican senators who voted against
the consideration of the tariff bill IN
the senate and large number OF rep.
resentative manufacturers of Philadel-
phia who favor the linking together
of the protection and bimetalism.
The authorized statement issued by
the conference after its secret session
is looked upon as the first note OF
warning on the part of the Republican
senators from Western States against
the adoption of single gold standard
plank in the st. Louis platform. The
conference was the result of the fol-
lowing correspondence between Mr..
William Wilhelm, prominent attor-
ney of Pottsville, Pa, and the sextette
of silver senator's named in the letter:
Pottsville, March 5, 1896.
Senators Jones, Teller, Dubois, Carter,
Mantle and Cannon.
Gentlemen: 1t has been my good
fortune to meet Messrs. James Dobson,
Charles Heber Clar and R. E. Defend
erfer of the city of Philadelphia. They
and their industrial friends are anx-
ious to confer with you relative to the
present depression and the remedy for
existing financial and industrial
troubles. If you are willing to meet
the eastern men of enterprise, then
please advise the aforementioned gen.
tlemen so that a conference can be ar
ranged between you and them and
their friends. Enclosed find list of
Philadelphia manufacturers who l am
assured will take pleasure in meetin ;
VIM. Wilhelm.
United States Senate,
Washington, D. G.. March s, 1896.
James Dobson, Esq, Philadelphia, Pa.
Dear Sir: Accepting the sugges-
tions made to us by letter from Mr..
VIM. Wilhelm of Pennsylvania that
it would be we'll to have conference
between representatives of the indus
trial interests of the country and our
selves, we shall be pleased to confer
with yourself and such men of enter
prise as you may choose to invite to
meet with us at an early date at Wash
ington. Yours very truly,
81. M. Teller.
Fred T. Dubois.
Lee Mantle.
T. 81. Carter.
Frank j. Cannon.
John P. Jones.
All of the above named senators
were present at the conference held to-
night as were also Representatives
Hartman of Montana, Allen Of Utah
and Wilson of Idaho, and the follow
ing named Representatives of man
ufacturing interests: James Dobson,
manufacturer of carpets; George
Campbell, woolens; James Pollock,
carpets; 8. B. Vrooman, lumber {;
Frank Caven, silk; G.. H. Hardy,
yarns; George w. Elkins, street rail
ways; Alex Crow, carpets; Henry
A. FRYE, groceries; Henry Holmes,
carpets; R. w. Scott, knit goods;
James Brown, woolens; Rowland
Croft, worsteds; Chas. NJ. Mcleod,
yarns; James Defenderfer, yarns;
John Fisher. wire; Robert Dawman,
carpets; Robert w. Scott, knit goods /;
Charles Heber Clark, surgical appli-
ances; Theodore Miller, upholstery {;
Richard Campion. yarns; JOS. Brom-
ley, rugs; Jos R. Jones, woolens; Jos.
Foster, dyes; Jas. P. Phillips, worst
eds; G. D. Firestone, buggies, and R.
E. Defenderfer, electrical appliances.
The conference was organized by
Senator Dubois as chairman and Mr..
Wilhelm for secretary. For three
hours and half, behind closed doors,
the conference proceeded, involving
the uniting of bimetalism and protec-
ton as national issue. Remarks
were made by Senators Teller, Jones
of Nevada, Carter, Mantle and Can
non. President Jordan of the manu-
facturers' club of Philadelphia, ex-
pressed the opinion that tariff duties
could not be made high enough to
protect our manufacturers if our coun-
try remained on a gold basis. Mr..
James Dobson the great carpet manu-
fac.urer, came out unquall6edly for
free coinage by international agree
ment if possible, other wise by inde-
pendent action. He believed that in
dependent action would induce inter
national action. Free coinage might
create temporary disturbances but it
was the quickest way to permanent
relief from the ills from which the
country is now suffering.
Henry A. Frye of Philadelphia said
that the sooner that we took indepen'
dent action for bimetalism the better
it would be. He declared for protec'
ton and bimetalism.
Chas. Herber Clark, editor of The
Manufacturer of Philadelphia, said he
had labored in season and out of sea-
son to convince the manufacturers
that protection would only prove eff
cacious in conjunction with the resto
ration of silver. That he was now
happy to have so many representatives
of the industrial interests of the coun,
try to meet the senators who had vot.
ed against the Dingley bill and to per-
sonally verify his declarations. Rich
ard Campion declared himself in favor
of the restoration of silver, but thought
that the cause of bimetalism was not