The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-01-05
Republicans Urge
Currency Reform. ,:
But They Still Stick to Gold
Standard.

Indianapolis, Ind, Dec. 2S.-Fiye
hundred representatives of the Repub
lican party of Indiana. outside Of the
city of Indianapolis attended to-day s
conference. TIE meeting vas for talk
aud little else and was the largest 'off
year that the party ever held. The
meeting vas held little later in the
gear in order that the United States
seuator from the State and the Repub-
licsn representative nigh; be here. and
they all cane.
The Influential mea in the party we're
encouraged by the statements of the
senator and representatives that there
is hope for currency reform, not medi-
cal Legislation, but action that will tepd
to set the party right before the people.
The uuanimity of the party in the
State on the proposition that the cur
reacy must be reformed was surprise
10 good many Of the men attending
the conference The Democrats it was
averred, will declare for free silver in
their next State platform. and the Re.
publican will, of course, take tne oppo-
site ground.
10 the event of the failure of con-
gress to take action looking to the re-
form of currency. members of the
party said. the party in this State
would 60 toto the State campaign EN-.
harrassed aud 90 the defensive from
the start.
| 10 the hotel lobbies there was great
deal Of talk against the civil service
law, but it came largely from the men
wbo made application for Office imme-
diately after the domination Of McKio.
Ley aud have been disappointed. The
prominent men of the party agreed
that no one need fear that the Republi-
caos of Indiana will ever declare
against the law.
The chief speakers were United
States Senator Charles W. Fairbanks
and Governor James A. Mount. Sen
ator Fairbanks paid high tribute to
the Presidents He said '.In my hum.
ble judgment more patriotic citizen
never graced the chair of the chief
executive
Senator Fairbanks expressed the be-.
lief that the Dingley Law will bring the
people blessings aud prosperity cquall-
ed only by the Mckinley law itself.
s'Some of our Democratic friends sag
that it will not raise revenue sufficient
70. the government-that it is not rais-
log sufficient revenue COW This is
true as to the present Why (? Because
previous to the enactment of the Ding
ley Law millions aud millions of dollars
10 products made by foreign hands were
sent into this country. Foreigners
kuew the best friend to them was the
Wilson law and that its doom vas SEAL
ed by the Republican congress After
these products sent to Us by the swif.-
est ships which plow the seas are con-
sumed we shall have sufficient revenue
from the Dingley bill The bill will
vindicate itself. 1t will speak more
eloqueotly for itself than any Repub-
llcaa can speak for it. y
On the subject of currency reform
| Senator Fairbanks SPOKE as follows
"Onr Democratic friends said to the
gold Democrats ..Tae Republican
party will not keep faith with you !;
when the Republicans declard in favor
of souod money at St. Louis they did
not mean it. The Republican party,
With Mckinley as its leader. intends to
keep faith, to preserve the gold stand
ard uninpared to the American peo-
pie. The currency question is great
question and to it the President of
the United States aud bis advisers are
addressing themselves with ardor aud
intelligence. saw the President but a
day before coming here. asked him
if he had aoy message for the Republi.
cans of Irdiana He commission ed
ne to say to you that be gratefully re.
members the encouragement and as
sis:auce which the Republicans of this
splendid State have given him hereto
fore aod be further said, I am goiog
to keep the bond I au going to vio-
dicate the sound money plank in the
S.. Louis platform.
"a party which keeps With the
American people will in ny judgment.
be supported and sustained by them.
No party can afford to vary from It's
platform pledges the width of soli-
cary hair At the coming session of
congress the great currency question
viii be in debate | cannot foretell
What will be the result Of the issue for
unfortunately we have a majority only
10 the house. In the senate the free
eilver Democrats. free silver Rspubli
cars spd Populis,s constitute The ma
jo:ity Whether we CAP pass through
|