The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-04-15
DEMOCRATIC CLUBS MEETING
MEETING OF THE NEW EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE HELD IN
WASHINGTON.
ADDRESS 70 DEMOCRATIC Voters.
Democrats Urged to Organize for
19OO-The DingIey Bill Held Up
to ScOrn as a MalevOlent and
Infamous Measure.

Washington, April 1.-THE first meet
ing of the new executive committee of the
National Association of Democratic Clubs
took place here today, at the Ebbitt
House. There was full attendance of
the members, and, in addition, some Off
GERS who are ex-officers of former dem
Ocratic club.
Representative McMilln of Tennessee,
Representative Benton of Missouri, proxy
for Governor Stone: Geo. Fred Williams
of Massachusetts; Hon. w. j. Bryan OF
Nebraska, proxy for Jas. G. Gahlman;
Representative Allen OF Mississippi, proxy
for Senator Money; Senator Chiffon of
Texas, proxy for Governor Hogg, and
w. s. Mexican, assistant secretary.
Mr.. McMillin presided. The members
of the committee say the meeting was
more fully attended and the interest dis
played was greater than at any previous
gathering of committee after defeat in
Il previous campaign.
The reports Of the officers showed
very satisfactory condition of affairs.
During the campaign there were in exist
cnce $4,000 democratic clubs, 500 of
which had been formed during the cam
paign, and which lapsed after the elec-
ton. There are approximately 500 clubs
still in existence.
The report of the treasurer showed a
small indebtedness, which was promptly
provided for, and a new fund for carrying
on the work in hand was created.
There was a very great discussion of
the work that had been done during the
past campaign and the methods and meas
urps to be adopted for the future.
A MQSSpS
Black of Pennsylvania, McMillin of Ten
nessee and Mcclure of California, was APP
pointed to prepare an address to the
democratic voters of the country, which
the committee unanimously adopted.
The address, after reciting the objects
of the association, as set forth in its con-
stitution, and declaring that they are the
principles of Jefferson, which the demo-
cratic party never surrenderS or aban-
dons, and which are essential to the pres
ervation of the republic proceeds as fol-
lows:
But as members of the executive COM
mittee, assembled at time when these
fundamental principles are about to be
disregarded by an administration recently
installed and a large majority of The
house of representatives proceeding al
most avowedly to exert their fortuitous
powers to lay the country and all it's in
dustrial classes under tribute to a vast
combination of monopolies, in utter con-
tempt of the constitutional limitations of
republican principles and of popular
rights, we fell it our duty to call your at
tention to the peculiar situation and to
urge you to that vigilance which has
ever been and ever must be the price Of
liberty.
when an apparent majority of the
votes of the people was counted out OF
the ballot boxes last year in favor of the
republican candidates for president and
vice president, while we deplOred the re-
suit and were convinced that no possible
relief could be afforded by the party so
returned to power, we were more than
willing to afford it's agents every oppor-
tunity TO demonstrate whether or not
their policy was adequate.
I'm common with many who last year
voted the republican ticket under secret
protest and with serious misgivngs as to
the future. we supposed that the admins
tration and its friends in congress,
charged with unlimited power and con
scious of the grave responsibility, would
realize the necessity of legislating in Il
rational manner, and that they would
ut all events not feel it incumbent on
them to further disturb the business of
the people by rushing into revision of
the tariff for the sole purpose of repayins
the vast OUTLAWS of the combined monopo-
lists in the late campaign, but we see at
this time, with alarm, that they are re-
solved to grant no delay in the execution
of their fixed and ruthless design. They
insist that the taxes are not high enough
under the present law. They are to be
made higher; and the producing people,
impoverished by adverse legislation, are
to be forced to suffer still more increased
prices for their clothing, their food and
other neccssaries of life, including imple-
ments of their industries. This mon
strous bill has been rushed through the
house by gag law and is now pending in
the senate, where already threats are
heard against the freedom of debate, and
where a passage is to be forced by the
dse of executive patronage reserved for
the purpose.
people of the United States are to get
instead of the bread they asked for and
SO much need. A party which openly
Uses the terrible power of taxation for
private enrichment and for correspond
ing opposition of the poor can not be
hoped TO use any other power with mod
esty and juStice Although the para
mount issue before the people is that of
the single standard against the free coin
age of gold and silver, and mighty ma
jority of the whole people declared I'M
equivOcally for bimetalism, either indie
pendently or by international agreement,
as proposed by the republican party, we
see not the slightest indication of any
disposition to move in that direction
While all industries languish. while the
gold dollar appreciates and the silver dol
lar furnishes its natural economic func-