Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-08-08
AND THOU, ALTCELD

the free coinage idea it was believed to be
Ex-Governor Altgeld of Illinois. When
the democratic convention in Chicago re-
pudiated the Chicago platform" and
nominated Harrison for mayor as an
ant.-free coinage man, Altgeld carried his
devotion to silver so far that he ran for
mayo. as the candidate of the free COIN
age democrats Of that city. He was Bry-
ans devoted friend, and he made a strong
fight for the paramount issue of 1896. But
the democrats Of Chicago are opposed to
free coinage and Harrison was elected by
an overwhelming majority, notwithstand-
ing the personal and political prestige of
the distinguished ex-governor.
Then came the big row between Har-
| rison and Altgeld, Inc the refusal Of these
gentlemen to eat at the same table, there
by buncoing Bryan out Of a square meal
which he ought to have had, and adding
| another black chapter to the history of
national democratic committee met in
Chicago, and the Harrison-Altgeld fight
was carried into that body, with the result
that the former won an easy victory with
Dev1.n. a free coinage man, in issue.
1t was largely the refusal Of Bryan to
vote the proxies he held, and take part in
age man at the head of the press bureau
of the party, that led up to the humiliat-
ing defeat of AltSeld and the triumph of
Harrison. Right on the heels of this rebuff,
and the failure of Bryan to urge upon the
national committee an endorsement of
free coinage when the question was before
that body, came the recommendation
from the Nebraska statesman that the
democrats OF Kentucky stand loyalty by
silver wing Of that p~arty-men of the Alt
geld ~type-were organizing to protest
against the work of the Louisville con-
vent:on.
Evidently, the situation has grown a
little too rich for Altgeld's blood. He has
made up his mind that it is bad politics
for him to do the trail blazing act in the
free coinage movement, when his devoted
friend, Colonel Bryan, is throwing politi-
whenever he heaves in sight. Therefore,
he has made a break for the band wagon
himself. The following is an account of
an interview held with the ex-governor In
Chicago on the 5th Instant: :.
Replying to the question. 'Should free
silver coinage at 16 to l be the paramount
issue next year," Ex-Governor John p
Altgeld said: mo. Not any more than
any other one of several issues. It is ali
nonsense to suppose that a convention
can by resolution make any one thing the
paramount issue everywhere. There are
those to whom 16 to l will be the para
mount issue, blu that will not make it sc
with, for example, commercial men. They
naturally regard the tariff and freedom
from trust domination as the most i'm
portant issues. Out in these great labo,
districts government by injunction forces
aside all other issues. With other people
other matters are paramount; as, for ex'
ample, imperialism, the AnglO-Americar
alliance and so forth. No. . would not II
any way attempt to make the platform
t~op-heavy with a 16 to l declaration.
don't believe that I would mention tn
ratio at all. / would simply put into thu
platform a declaration reaff1rming thu
monetary policy heretofore advocated b!
the democratic party. Other old issue:
hould be treated in the same way, whil'
new issues should be handled more in de
tail for the purpose of making the posi-
, ton of the party very clear on them. Thi!
should be the treatment Of the imperial
iStic ISSUE
Next to Bryan himself, the free coinag
movement has had no more enthusiast
advocate in the democratic ranks thai
Altgeld. With the distinguished Nebras
kan he was regarded as being at the hea'
of the movement to bring about the join
ais of the country. A long time ago Bryan
declared that some question other thai
silver should be the paramount issue il
1900, and now Altgeld does not want t
make the platform "top-heavy with a 1
to / declaration" Think of Altgeld say
ing: II don't believe that 1 would men
ton the ratio at ALL"
Thus one by one the free coinage lead
ers of the democracy are abandoning tn
paramount issue of 1S96-one by one the,
are advertising their treachery to tn
world-one by one they are sacrificing
their principles to the hope Of party re
union and the pie counter. HI soone
, the sincere silver men get out of the dem
F ocratic party, the smaller will be the de
urea of humiliation they will suffer.