The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1899-02-16
PEOPLE AWAKE AND EARNEST.
Gathering the Elements for the Second Great
Struggle for the Money Of the
Constitution.


OhiSaSo, fOu. iV'
l am in receipt of several recent
letters requesting that some informa
ton be given regarding the objects
and the present status of the work
of the Ways and Means Committee
of this city.
The Ways and Means committee is
composed Of five members, as fol-
lows: Senators James K Jones of
Arkansas, William V. Allen of Neb-
raska, Henry M. Teller OF Colorado,
Ex-Governors VIM. j. Stone of Mis-
souri,, and John. P. Altgeld of Illi-
nois. 1t was appointed Sept. 21,
1898, by Senator j. X. Jones, chair
man of the Democratic National
Committee, by virtue of the author
ity vested IN him by the National
Committee. The personel of that
committee will be seen to represent
the three national parties who have
deslared in their platforms for free
and unlimited coinage OF silver al
the historic ratio of Is to 1, regard
less of the action of any other ma
ton.
Immediately on being appointed
the members Of the Ways and. Means
Committee held meeting at st Lou
is, Mo-, and named w. H. Harvey
Of Chicago, as general manager
Mr.. Harvey, as author of "Coin's Ri
nancial School, and other works OF
the same subject, had become know
to the people of the entire countr
as an uncompromising, honest bi
metallist, and possessed of the con
fidence of the thinking masses. OF
fees of the committee were at one
opened in Chicago, in suite 104
Unity Building, and active wor
commenced The whole plan of til
committee was to appeal to the pee
pie to furnish funds wherewith t
wage the campaign of 1900 for "Bi
metallism and Anti Monopoly"
An address to the people, signe
by the whole committee, was issued
setting forth the necessity of contr
buttons from the people, to fight til
battle against organized greed.
1t was shown that the declaratio
OF the democratic platform of 189
had severed whatever bond of syn
pathy that might have previously e,
ieted between this party and a
wealthy class interests. No trus
q no corporation would contribute
r its campaign fund, nor on the 9th
hand could the party ask it with Sc
respect, when it had begun war {
all forms of monopoly. 1t fact Il
' three allied silver parties, while pr
s pairing to again fight the battle
g the people in 1900 against the mon
trust and kindred class interest
could see no probable source of mo
o. ey wherewith to meet the legitima
y expenses made necessary by the il
e pending conflict.
} "Appeal to the people who are
- be the benefciaries of our success
= suggested one, and the idea was
Il once adopted Pledges, obligati
4 the signer to pay 81 per month fro
the date of signing up to and inc
ding the month of October, 19(
ne were drawn up and circulated in {
I'd cry state in the union. The respoi
e. was almost instantaneous, and th,
pledges signed and duly execu
p came back to the committee by nea
nd every mail One was sent to v
Ter liam Jennings Bryan, then on dl
with his regiment at Jacksonvi
Fla, and the next mail brought b,
Ir ha his answer, which reads as follows
of 81 enclose pledge for monthly C
W tributions to the cause of bimetalli
1t until Oct. 1900, together with the
~ stallment for this month. m
cordially endorse the plan adop
,e'1 IN by the committee, and am confid
nee nee it will result in the collection O
,ns ssS large fund for the circulation of
q = metallic literature,