The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-07-17

|
port He thought it was discourteous for
the strong silver majority to force the
question on the congress, declared him
self single gold standard man and re-
peated a number of the familiar argu-
ments in support of that position. He
opposed discussion of the silver ques-
tion by the congress and said that if
such discussion should be determined
upon Republicans were out of place in
this body and had no more right in it
than they would have in Democratic
ward caucus He protested against
crowding this Democratic partisan reso-
luton down our Republican throats. He
entered into long discussion of the
merits Of the financial question and said
if this was a silver convention he did not
belong here. He felt that he would have
no more business in a, free silver con-
vention that he would in a Democratic
ward caucus.
De Matos of Montana favored the ma
jority report and created much excite
ment by declaring that the action of
those who were trying to prevent the
passage of the free silver resolution was
due to desire to insult President Bryan
of this congress. Exception was taken
to this remark from all parts of the hall
and De Matos finally withdrew his state
ment.
Varian of Utah addressed the conven-
ton in support of the majority report
He denied that the political character of
the question was good reason why it
should not be discussed and cited the
action of the congress yesterday regard
ing the Hawaiian and Cuban questions,
which were purely political.
Perkins of Nebraska followed in sup
port of the minority report. He held it
to be improper for this commercial con-
gress to discuss question so thorough
ly political as is the silver issue.
Quinn of Montana spoke in favor of
the majority report. He made forcib.e
argument in favor of the feasibility of
free coinage.
Ford, who was in charge of the time
of the minority report, yielded five min
utes to Crist of Missouri who in a hu-
morous way supported the majority re-
port.
Craig of California thenspoke in oppo-
sition to the majority report, and asked
the silver men not to embarrass the con-
gresa with it,
Thompson and Brown of Nebraska
ard Fleehardy of Kansas made short
speeches for the majority report.
T. M. Patterson of Colorado spoke for
free coinage and said it was a child Of
the transmississippi congress- that the
matter had been considered at every
session since its organization and that
if it was a fit subject ten years ago it was
fit subject today.
o1n ha n
position to considering the silver ques-
ton and was warmly applauded.
Mr.. Bryan then called Mr.. Craig to
the chair and made an eloquent speech
in favor of the majority report.
AS he stepped on the platform he was
greeted with tremendous applause. Mr..
Bryan said in part:
BRYAN'S ADDRESS
Ladies and Gentlemen-While this
question will apparently turn upon the
form of resolution, we need not ignore
the thing that has been so plainly mani
tested this morning. Now, when we come
to decide what the congress should do,
we have got to understand what will be
the effect of what it does do. The action
Of this convention will not be discussed
by our friends who are delegates only
but it will be discussed by the enemies
of free coinage all over this country.
| call attention to the fact that the gen
tleman from Minnesota pointed to the
| action taken at Denver as evidence that
| the silver sentiment was dying out.
| What can we do If we refuse to consider
silver? They will say that we discussed
Hawaii and the people will say that the
annexat ton of Hawaii is not entirely SO
| important as the emancipation of this
country from the Lombard street mag
mates. Shall we tell them it is not
political question? They will refer to
the passage of a resolution on the sub
iect of Cuban independence. The finan-
cial independence of the United States
is of more Importance to the 10000, 600
of people than the political Independence
of Cuba l tell you that the gold stand
ard every year kills more people in the
United States than Spain killsin Cuba.
MY friends have suggested that we
ought not to make it hard for the people
of California TO come to this convention.
[ have Just passed through California
and if can judge of the sentiment there
when we declare for the free coinage of
silver we will receive the approval of
more than half the people who live in
California. (Applause.)
They ask us if we offend the CONNER
cial interests of San Francisco, Los An
geles or Portland. No; but we say to
the commercial interests when they de-
stroy the prosperity of the hills and val
leys they will arouse themselves and
wrest them from the greed and avarice
of the financial barons.
am glad to endorse the effort the ad-
ministration is putting forth in favor Of
international bimetallsm. applause
| believe bimetallsm is good, and if K
it is good it is good no matter who
brings it.
While the gentleman from. Minnesota
states that his state cast $4,000 votes for
the gold standard, yet thirteen and a
half million citizens declared that bimet
allism was better than the gold standard
When l desert bimetallsm you can
brand me with disgrace, but if every
member of this convention deserted you
cannot disgrace mel will fight for it
still. (Applause.)
l do not want you to misunderstood
me. My advocacy of bimetallism is not
hacausa think more of the DeODle who