The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08
a SICKLY OLIVE BRANCH
ITS WAVING CAUSED NO STIR AT THE
DEMOCRATIC MEETING.
Prominent SiIverites Shouted the
LOudest-Matthews, English and
Others Spoke Kindly.

Of truce to the gold Democrats and ask
them to come back to the party but others
insisted that If they ever came back it must
be to stand fatty upon the silver platform.
Even such wild silver men as Ex-Governor
Matthews were anxious to be 'concilia-
tory but the Ex-Governor Is a candidate
for the Senate, and due allowance must be
made for the fact that he wants votes. The
double room at the Grand was well filled
When the conference was called to order
yesterday morning with Democrats from all
over the State. Chairman Martin called
them to order and made brief statement
Of the purpose of the gathering, to look
over the ground and discuss prospects for
next year.
He introduced Ex-Governor Matthews, who
declared that the conditions were decidedly
encouraging for Democratic victory next
year. In his section of the State, where a
few Democrats had voted with the Repub-
licans, there was a disposition to get to-
gether again. He considered the Mckinley
message a splendid campaign document for
Democrats, and declared that there was
but one thing before the party-to show
loyalty TO the Chicago platform. The gold
Democrats were leaders without a follow
ing, and nothing should be said or done to
show any hostility towards them, but he
would not bend the knee or offer overtures
to them.
John G. Shanklin, of Evansville, said
there never was time when the party in
Indiana was so unanimous upon the main
issue-free silver. The gold-bug faction of
last year not only succeeded in electing Nc
Kinley but cemented more closely than
ever the Democratic party. Mr. Shanklin
also said that there was disposition of the
party in Vanderburg county to unite, as the
few gold Democrats who were there re-
garded themselves as having been deceived
by McKinley's promises, as it was the Pres
idents purpose, expressed in his message, to
hold fast to that ignis fatuus, bimetallism
by international agreement
John e. Lamb, of Terre Haute, said all
the gold Democrats of vigo county were
coming back. He maintained that there
should be no compromise upon the money
question, but that the Chicago platform
should be Reimbursed and possessed as the
fighting ground of next year.
Judge Dykeman, of Logansport however
said that conditions between the two fac
tions up there were not as agreeable as had
been represented in Vanderburg and vigo
counties. There was still much bitterness
and it would take good deal more than
diplomatic work to allay it. Yet he de-
clared that the Democratic party had gained
many votes since the election from the
railroad men who had been misled by Vice
President Brooks, of the Pennsylvania sys-
tenn, in promising that upon McKinley's
election the railroad shops of Logansport
which had been closed for months, would
reopen with full time and full force. This
he said, has not been DONE but, On the con-
trary, there has been a reduction not only
of time, but of wages, the latter 20 per cent
b. Il. Shively who was the candidate for
Governor last year and is one of the most
radical silver advocates in the State came
in at this juncture and was given an ova-
ton. He simply made over again one of
his last years campaign speeches and de-
clared that the party was sure of victory
IL 1t will keep straight ahead on the silver
ISSUE
". E. ENGLISH'S CONSERVATISM.
Then up spake William H. English, lead
ing the assault for the conservatives Mr..
English was for gold up to the convention,
but submitted for the sake of regularity
He declared that he hoped he would never
again be asked to vote for five Populists on
the Democratic ticket. They were the
enemies of the party. He inveighed against
fusion at some length, and declared that at
the same time he had no use for boilers.
either in New York or Indiana Frank b.
Burke followed Mr.. English in the same line
ana advised conciliatory measures toward
the gold Democrats. Judges Howard and
McCabe both advised Cancellation, but de-
clared that the Chicago platform should not
be given up
After Judge McCabe had spoken Judge
James +. Iarvin, of Covington, KY. VINO
was introduced, handled the gold Democrats
WI nlnclng words or seeking their ia
yor. he was sarcastic, bitter and even
brutal. His illusions to Watterson Rl-Ic-
ner, Lindsay, Carlisle and Cleveland we're
SINGING sung ana denunciatory He said he VAS
gao 10 meet Democrats in Indianapolis. a
city that had been outraged by the holding
OF the gold convention of last fall 1t de-
VOWED upon Indiana Democrats to wine ont
that disgrace, and he hoped it would he
done. He asserted that the pre-eminence Of
Tree silver at 16 to l and determined oppo-
sition TO government by injunction were the
vital issues of the future The indga's
speech was well received notwithstanding
the danger that lurked in it of bringing out
reply from two or three gentlemen whose
sympathies were not with the monetary
plank of the Chicago platform, but who
mad remained loyal to the party but sober
second thought kept them quiet, and the
harmony of the meeting was undisturbed.
he was followed by Greene Smith, who
was moderate in his position, stating that,
While ne was Democrat he was entitled
TO his individual views, but those views he
was always ready to yield to the majority
This has enabled him at any time to be in
position to challenge any one as being a
better Democrat than he is.
John Overmyer, of Jennings county, made
a straight silver harangue. He said that
the day of the East to rule the great Dem
ocratlc party had passed. He referred to
Bryan as the presidential candidate for
1900 and this was received with cheers.
Samuel M Ralston, of Lebanon, the last
years candidate for secretary of state said
that, while he remained loyal to free sill
yer, there were other issues that should not
be overlooked, referring particularly to gov
eminent by injunction and other features of
the Chicago platform.
John w. Kern remarked that in that
meeting it was not worth while to discuss
what the platform should be or who should
be the presidential candidate for 1900, for
the attention to perfecting the organiza-
tion for the best organization would be
needed to carry the State next year. He
declared that had the Democrats received in
1886 what they honestly won Bryan would be
President of the Nation and Shively Gov
taken from both of them by fraud, and it
was that which they would have to fight in
the coming year and in 1900. The honorable
John made the startling declaration that
Bryan had been defrauded out of at least
fifty thousand votes in Indiana last year,
and his hearers were hardly able to keep
their faces straight Then he drew very
horrifying pictures of Mark Hanna, coer-
cion, robbery and all the other stock buga-
boos OF the last campaign. Naturally
enough his speech ended the meeting.
The committee met in the afternoon and
fixed Jan. IL as the date for the district
conventions TO elect new members of the
committee. These conventions will be held
North Vernon. Terre Haute. Connersvllle,
Tndianapolis Button Frankfort, La