The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-12-22
THE 90 GOLD PLANK.

III W WVL0 - Ah4t4As
A Statement From Mr.. Payne AS To
How IL Came To he Adopted.
Washington. Decsmbsr Ex-senator
Foraker published some time ago long
article concerning the origin and adop-
tion Of the "9old Plank" at the Rspubli-
can National convention Of 1896, In which
he maintained that the plank was pre-
pared By the COMMITTEES on resolutions OF
which he was chairman, after much dis
oussIon and ous Of diverse materials II.
II. Kohlsaat, editor Of the Chicago
Times Herald, published an article In
reply In which he claimed the "Gold
Plank" was framed BY the friends Of
Gov. McKinlsy, 1T = conference held In
Mr.. Hanna's room ct the Southern hotel,
four days before the meeting Of the con-
vention and therefore long before Mr..
Foraker was elected either . member or
chairman of the committee on resolu-
lions. Mr.. Kohlsaat claimed further
more, tina. there were present at this CON-
fsrenos Mr.. Hanna, Henry q. Payne.
Senator Proctor, Myron 7. Hsrrick. az
Gov. NJ srrlam, n. E. Stone and himself,
and ttas the gold plank then and there
prepared was submitted TO various Re-
publican leaders and also TO the commit
tee ON resolutions By which It was adopt
ed with minor changes Of phraseolosy,
and presented to the convention.
The principal sia.sment as 20 the form
ulation Of the plank comes from Mr..
Payne, and Is a. follows:
"The original draft Of the so-oallsd
Gold Plank was taken TO st. Louis BY
MIR. Hanna. It was the subjsot Of earn
est consideration ut the hands Of MIR.
Hanna, Myron I. Herrlck and myself,
who were In 5t. Louis some ten day .
before the meeting Of the convention and
was closely associated In guarding the
interests Of Gov. Mckinley. After many
Informal discussions the plank was en-
trusted to me for this purpose If drafting
q substitute for the originals and sew
eral substitutes were so drawn AMI
discussed. Soon Gov. Merriam Of Min
nssota and Senator Proctor Of Vermont
Joined this informal committee Of Gov.
McKinley's friends, who we're endeavorins
to phrase this particular feature Of the
coming platform. Many changes were
made In phraseology and probably a
dozen different forms were disc used 1t
the various meetings, until at the meet
ing on Friday morning submitted the
text OF the gold plank which was SUBJ
stautially the one finally adopted By the
convention. At that meeting M.
Kohlsaat who had arrived in st. Louis
that morning, was present and was siren
uously insistent upon plain, unequivo'
cal declaration Of the gold stand Ard and
his insistenos did much to end any di.
vision Of sentiment. which might have
previously obtained among tbs friends
of GOV. McKipley as to the wisdom OF
the course.
A CODY Of the resolution as thus agreed
upon was shown on Friday to Hon.
Joseph b. MAnley OF Maine and Gov. W.
Murray Crane Of Massachusetts,, VINO
were ct the convention In the interest Of
Speaker Reed, and It was also submitted
to Senator Lodge Of Massachusetts,, and
Piatt Of New York, who all gave 1t their
unqualified approval.
The resolution as agreed upon was CIV
en- TO Myron I. Herriok Of Cleveland.
who telegraphsd 1t In full to Canton for
the approval Of Gov. Mckinley which
was soon obtained and then u copy was
given to Gov. Merriam. who had been
selected ns . member of the COMMITTEES
on resolutions and he was authorized TO
say to that committee that the resolution
as presented BY him, had been drawn
by immediate and responsible Siends of
Gov. MCKINLEY and approved BY him
and to ask that Ii be adopted by the
COMMITTEES.
(Signed) Henry Q. Payne.
Senator Hanna adds that he has read
Mr.. Payns's statement and that 1t 10 cor
rect. Mr.. Merriam also adds, that the
statement aooords with his recollection
and that copy Of the plank was shown
to Senators Foraker. Piatt and Lodgs.
Senator Proctor says 1t was known that
Senator Foraker was to be the chairman
Of the committee on resolutions and that
the plank was shown to him aud met
with his approval.