Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-07-16

When s o'clock arrived the big buildlns
was crowded more than ever, but IL wa
forty minutes later before order
called by Chairman Daniel But ne e,
the committee on credentials was ready 70
report. When the reading clerk reau tle
report seating four silver district us ,sa
gates from Michigan, which changed "a, me
complexion of the delegation under tle
unit rule from gold TO silver, there was
considerable applause among tne sIonn
men on the ao9r En cSHsa,,s nn behalf
or the minority OF the committee po
tested against the decision OF the major
ity He was supported By John II
OF Arkansas, defended tho commit
tee. and then the Michigan delegates
were given a chance to air their COM
plants. Replies were made. and red-hot
speeches on either side were made by at
least a dozen takers from various states.
Applause and cheers were plentirul. pu.
II began 10 grow wearisome after about
two hours had been spent In this manner,
and finally delegates and spectators began
to call for vote. Chairman Daniel put
the question, first on the adoption or the
minority report to confirm the sitting
delegates In their title to the seats. The
roll was called. Near.y every state was
challenged and the work was very slow.
There was wild cheering when ex-Gov.
Flower cast the 70 votes OF New York
for the minority report. II continued Tor
full minute, when the cheering SUDDEN
ly swelled into a roar. The gold dele
gates mounted their chairs and waved
their handkerchiefs. while the galleries
grew perfectly frantic with enthusiasm,
and turned the convention into pandemon-
ium. The enthusiasm rose and fell, only
to rise again like the oncoming tides OF
the ocean. Chairman Daniel tried TO Sc
cure order with his gavel, but the sounds
were swallowed up in the awful din with
out effect. After about Is minutes the roll
call proceeded, and the result was finally
announced. sos nays. 36S yeas, thereby
unseating the delegates from the Fourth
and Ninth districts of Michigan.
A scene of great disorder followed this
announcement. The silver delegates stood
up and cheered the st. Louis Bland Band
from the Indian Territory danced a war
dance out in the aisle, and war whoops
and shouts mingled with stamping feet.
Hats and handkerchiefs were waved and
the music Of the regular band was drown
ed In the tumult that arose.
Finally order was again restored and
then the majority report which changed
the Michigan delegation from gold 10 sill
yer was adopted without division. The
report OF the committee on permanent
organization was called for and Delegate
Finley. Of Ohio, its chairman, made his
way 10 the stage and read the list Of per-
manent officers selected, which was head
ed by Senator White, of California, for
for chairman. Temporary Chairman
chairman and Thomas j. Cogan, OF Ohio,
Daniel, in yielding the gavel to the Cali
fornia senator. made a most graceful
speech, thanking the convention for its
courtesy. Mr.. White made q brief but
telling speech. after which a silver gavel
was presented by W. A. Clark, of Mon
tana. At 10 o'clock adjournment was
taken until $3.50 a m, the following day
Chairman White was so hoarse he could
scarcely speak when he called the con-
vention to order on the third day. Con-
gresham Richardson, OF Tennessee, took
charge OF the gavel and called for the ma
lority report OF the committee on reso-
lutions, which was read by Senator Jones
OF Arkansas. The platform presented Is
as follows:
We. the Democrats OF the United States. in
national convention assembled do reaffirm our
allegiance TO those great essential principles
OF justice and liberty upon which insttu-
tions are founded, and which the Democratic
party has advocated from Jenerson's time "a
our own-freedom OF speech freedom OF the
press. freedom OF conscience the preservation
OF personal rights, the equality Of all citizens
before the law and the faithful observance OF
constitutional limitations.
During all these years the Democratic party
has resisted the tendency Of selfish interests 70
the Capitalization OF governmental power, and
steadtastly maintained the integrity OF the dual
scheme OF government established by the found
ers OF this republic OF republics. Under It's
guidance and teachings, the great principle OF
local sef-government has found it's best express
sion In the maintenance Of the rights OF the
states and in its assertion OF the necessity OF
confining the general government 10 the exercise
OF the powers granted by the constitution Of
tho United States
Recognizing that the money system il para
mount 10 all others at this time we invite at
tention TO the fact that the federal constitution
names silver and gold together the money
metals OF the United States and that the first
coinage law passed by congress under the con-
sttution made the silver dollar the monetary
unit and admitted gold TO free coinage at a
ratio based upon the silver dollar unit. We
declare that the act OF 1873 demonetizing silver
without the knowledge approval of the
American people has resulted in the apprecia-
ton OF gold and corresponding falling in the
price OF commodities produced by the people
heavy increase in the burden OF taxation and
OF all debts, public and private; the enrich
ment OF the money lending class at home and
abroad; prostration OF industry and impover-
ishment OF the people.
We are unalterably opposed TO n.onometal-
lisrn, which has locked fast the prosperity OF
an Industrial people in the paralysis OF hard
times. Gold nonometsllism is British policy
and Its adoption has brought o-ner nations into
financial servitude to London. IL is not only
un-American, but anti American and IL can
be fastened on the United states only by the
sitting OF that spirit and love OF liberty which
proclaimed our political independence in l11t
and won IL in the war OF the revolution.
We demand the free and unlimited coinage OF
both gold and silver at the present legal ratio
or 10 TO i, without waiting for the aid or con-
sent OF any other nation We demand that the
standard silver dollar shall be fun legal ten
der, equally with gold for all debts public and
private. and we favor such legislation as will
prevent for the future the decentralization Of
any kind OF legal tender money by private con
tract.
We are opposed to the policy and practice Of
Burrendering To the holders OF the obligations OF
the United states the option reserved by law
TO the government OF Iedeeming such obliga-
lions In either silver coin or gold coin.
We are opposed to the issuing OF interest
bearing bonds OF the United states in time oi
peace. and condemn the trafiicking with bankinl
syndicates which, in exchange tor bonds anC
at an enormous profit 10 themselves. 81. ply ia,
federal treasury IA gold & m tain tn policy
| OF gold recommendation.
Congress alone has the power TO coin and
issue money, and President jackson declared
that this power could not be delegated TO cor
porations or individuals. We therefore deman,
| that the power TO issue notes to circulate az
money be taken from the national banks ant
! That all paper money shall be issued directly bN
| the treasury department. be redeemable in coir
and receivable for all debts, public and pri-
| Yate.
We hold that tarin duties should be levied
/ for purposes OF revenue. such duties 10 be 70
adjusted as TO operate equally throughout IN,
! country and not discriminate between class OF
section, and that taxation should be Limited
| by the needs or the government, honestly anl
economically administered. We denounce as
disturbing to business the Republican threat 1,
restore the Mckinley ~. which has been twic,
condemned by the people in national elections
and which, enacted under the false plea OF pro
! lection TO home Industry proved prolific breed
er OF trusts and monopoHes. enriched the few
| at the expense OF the many, restricted trade an,
staples of access TO their natural markets. Tn
Til the money question Is settled we are OPP
posed TO any agitation for further changes M
our tarin laws. except such necessary Il
make the deficit In revenue caused by the ad
verse decision OF the Supreme Court on the in