The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-06-19

The south Dakota senator Casts His
Lot with Teller EFT Al.

ST. LOUIS, June 1S.-The fact that Sem
ator Pettigrew, of South Dakota. Joined
the silver Republicans in their bolt Of the
Republican convention proved the surprise
of the day. He said leaving the hall that
he had formed the determination to join
this movement several weeks ago as soon
as 1t became apparent that gold-standard
platform would be adopted. He, however,
kept his intentions so close to himself that
not even his fellow-delegates from South
Dakota were aware of it and looked as
much astonshed as did others when the
Senator's name. as one of the committee
who signed the protest read in the conven-
ton, was announced. When the Senator
left his seat several Republicans who were
singing national hymns shook him hg the
hand and Senator Proctor, of Vermont,
walked to the door with him. expressing
his regret as he went, and shaking the Da-
kotan by the hand as he joined his silver
friends on the sidewalk. He walked
with the other boilers to the st. Nicholas
Hotel, spending the afternoon in conference
with the leaders. He was seen at the ho-
tel, where he gave out the following au-
thorized statement in explanation of his
course:
II left the convention because 1 believe
the financial question to be the only vital
question in the campaign, and as / should
not myself support advocate the single
gold standard. / thought / owed Ii to the
convention not to longer participate in It's
proceedings, and L believe that the preva-
lence Of the gold standard must result I'm q
further decline in prices to the utter ruin
of all producers OF wealth, and that our
adoption of that standard in the past is
the cause of the present panic and enforced
misery among the people. i believe the
gold of the world Is cornered by the pro-
fessional creditors of the world. who hold
promises of the future delivery OF the mass
of gold available for money. more than
forty times over, In the form Of bonds.
mortgages and other credits: and for a
people who are already debtors TO multiply
these promises further is the height OF
folly. The lack of supply and demand APP
plies well to gold as to other commodi-
ties, and the one fact of the Withdrawal
of the demand for an article has the same
effect upon its value as the increase of the
supply, IL is for the interest of the people
OF the United States who are debtors 10
make no more promises to pay gold. II we
should do this. gold would gradually decline
in value and this doctrine would be shown
In a rise of the price OF all commodities and
take the business off the shoulders of the
producing and enterprising among our pop
ulation.
The tariff is the only issue of Importance
for what the Republican party contends
and that is no longer an issue between par
ties. for a tariff for protection has become
the settled policy of this government. The
only question at issue between the adys-
Gates OF the party is the wilson tarln OIL
Last winter the House adopted the Wilson
bill as "A basis and simply raised the rates
In certain particulars. A vital issue that
is essential to divide men into great polit-
ical parties cannot be founded on the ques-
ton whether the duty on certain articl,
shall be Al or 45 per cent
II think the time has como when II Is the
conscientious duty OF every man who be
lieves that we cannot continue TO prosper
with gold recommendation to exercise hi:
whole strength 10 prevent the continue
| ton of the policy. i believe n ma iority O
the people of my State with me on this
| question. If am mistaken in my view o
| the issue thus clearly defined they will ap.
p~ove or condemn my zeal next November
| / have felt impelled 10 this course by
sense OF duty. by deep conviction that the
| affairs of my constituents depended upoI
! a proper constitution. and could not lister
I TO any argument or personal comfort which
might be represented TO turn from ths
| col,rse which l believed IN myself TO be i'm,
4 PEELED by duty.