Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-06-18
SILVER MEN AT CHICAGO
STATES REPRE-.
SCENTED AT CONFERENCE.
Ex-COng ressman TOwne of Minnes-
Ota Calls the Meeting to Or
der, Reviewing situation.

were represented at the first meeting of
the provisional committee Of the ma
tional silver republican party, which
met in executive session at the Leland
hotel yesterday. Besides the committee
men Of the various states represented,
over hundred silver republicans were
present from all parts OF the country.
Promptly at l o'clock the meeting was
called to order by ex-Congressman
Towne of Minnesota.
In calling to order the national pro-
visional committee OF the silver repub-
licans, Mr.. Towne said in part:
Il give you greeting upon the aus
picious opening Of the conference and
congratulate you and the great cause
wherein we are engaged that SO num-
erous and representative body of men
has gathered from large majority of
the states and territories to participate
In the first general council Of the silver
republican party Of the United States.
We are happy also to welcome the in
spring presence OF the delegation rep
resenting the bimetallic organization of
women of the country, whose sympa-
thies are enlisted as ever in behalf of
justice and humanity"
After referring briefly to the circum-
stances attending and the motives in
stigating the inception of the move
ment, he spoke OF the organization of
the provisional national committee as
the suggestion Of republican senators
and congressman. Continuing he said:
Our lives were there. We desire
above all things else Of immediate
political concern the speedy re-estab-
1eIv
bimetallism, the same privileges of free
coinage at the mint for both gold and
silver and an absolute equality between
them In all money power when
coined, with the option to every payer,
whether the government or individual
to choose what coin shall be the basis
of payment in every instance. We
wish to do all in our power to advance
this happy consumma ton, and we real
ize that If this great cause is to sue
coed in the elections Of 1898 and 1900.
1t can do so only through the addition
to the allied armies Of the 5000 900
that followed the banner of the joint
stand in 1896, of at least the some hun
dreds Of thousands Of republicans Of
that contest.
I'VE have other plans, or may have,
and we believe in other things also:
but the restoration OF silver as the
basis of primary money along with
gold Is the first and engrossing object
of our activities, and shall remain so
until the crescent Of promise shall have
rounded into the full orb Of success.
1T would be useless to deny that
social and industrial evolution is max
ing for political treatment other Ques-
tions that will successfully ripen for
settlement after monetary reformation
shall have been accomplished. and that
the underlying principles on which
their wise settlement depends are such
as naturally to place their achievement
in the same hands. Many Of these
have been long advocated by that great
advance guard. the populist party. and
some OF the most urgent ones are more
and more commencing themselves to
the reason and sympathies Of men. Is
1t too much to expect, or Is 1t injudic-
ious in me to express the hope that the
silver democrats, populists and silver
republicans may by 1900 be welded
into a strong and serviceable instru-
ment in the hand Of providence, for
the political regeneration OF the coun-
try and the beginning Of reform in re-
storing the spirit of the constitution
and contributing to the advancement
and happiness Of mankind?'
In conclusion. Towne said the imme-
diate business in hand was the deter
mination Of a time and place for hold
ing the national convention, the men,
bership Of which could make an au-
thoritative declaration Of principles.
The discussion and adoption Of a plan
Of general organization in the states
and territories would follow.
The committee on the order Of bust
ness and the plan Of organization were
then named. OF the latter ex-senator
Duboise Of Idaho, was made chairman.
A resolution was passed admitting to
the meeting visiting silver republicans
who were not members of the provis-
ional committee and giving them all
the privileges. except that of voting.
Revolutions.
The following resolutions were
adopted:
Whereas. 1t Is not in the province
of this committee to anticipate the &C.
ton Of the national convention In the
formation Of a platform and declara-
tions Of principles. but.
Whereas, in order to preclude any
basis for either misunderstanding or
Misrepresentation as to the object OF
this organization 1t Is prudent to make
known the controlling principle OF Its
existence; therefore
resolved. that the silver republican
party Of the United States favor the
immediate establishment OF bimetal-
lism by the independent action Of the
United States through the free coin.
age Of both silver and gold at the ratio
of is to l. and the clothing Of both
metals equally with every attribute
OF full money, with the right to every
debtor to choose which coin shall be
the basis Of payment, and
Resolved. that the achievement Of
this great object Is deemed by us Of
paramount political importance an6
shall form the controlling motive Of
our political action until 1t Is accom-
plished."
The National Committee.
"Your committee on plans and organ
ization for the silver republican party
Of the United States beg leave to sub
init this. our report:
First. We recommend the appoint
ment of a national executive committed