The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-01
DROP THE SPECIFIC nNrIO.
One of A'tgeId's Allies Suggests IA
New Platform.

new BiuGtOEm.
Chicago, Dee. S1-Ex-Judge S. P. Nc
ConnelI, one of the Illinois delegates-at-
large 20 the national Democratic conven-
ton in 1896, delivered an address before
the Monticello Club to-day, which caused
a good deal of talk among local Demo-
Gratis, particularly in view of the fact
that he has been a close political asso-
ciate of ex-Gov. John z. Altgeld. The
speaker began by quoting these declara-
tons of the club:
We oppose all trusts and monopolies.
IN order that wealth may not gain undue
advantage and that competition shall be
free and unresrained among the people
We oppose the single gold standard
and favor the restoration Of bimetaliism,
regardless of the action or desire of anv
other nation"
He said in part: "These two declarations
IN my judgment are expressive of the great
mission of the Democratie party. 1 am in
cllned, however, to believe that the first
includes the second and that the war
against monopolies and trusts means war
against the single gold standard. If the
contest is to be waged intelligentlv and
efeetiVeiy. l am certain too that the first
declaration requires and means hostility
" "a RACtSNtANG tdliiL laws IN TACT under the
encouragement and aid OF these laws, The
first trusts and Combinati5ns encroochfng
upon free competition came into existence.
Even after all that has been said against
combinations, trusts and monopolies | am
FAR from convinced thai the body of the
peop4e adequately appreciate The great
peril to the worlds welfarc springing from
these vast aggregations Of capital. which
are gradually absorbing ahd controlling
ri a nlafEr 4.f .
thousands who voted for Mckinley in
1886 are ready to join US in a campaign to
be waged against trusts, combinations ana
monopoles. They only need evidence
that we Will fight effectively.
There IS but one plank in the platform
of 1895 which prevents these thousands be-
ing openly and aggressively with us. They
do not believe in the reconciliation of
silver at the ratio of 16 to l of gold. They
regard it as even less defensive now than
two years ago.
The question for Us 70 consider is
whether we are showing an appreciation
of the relative importance of issues when
we seem to be willing - run the peril OF
repeating the experience of 1886 rather than
to modify Our proposition regarding the
ratio between silver and gold.
TO my mind, the IL 10 proposition has
always savored something of superstition.
ana nave come 10 believe that the besI
friends of bmetahism are not those who
refuse TO have it EXCEPT upon this condI-
ton. I should begin 10 he skeptical of
their value as opponef 5 Of monopoly. if
they persist thet itls,- se fought only
in connection with these radical demands
for the restoration of silver at the value
il had more than a quarter of century
ago.
with aggressive declarations in HI,
platform of 1900 against trusts and mo
nopolies' and against their great allies and
supports-the gold standard and the pro
tectlVe tarlf-without insisting on a par
tcu.ar value for silver In a plan for its
reconciliation, or particular scbedula
for revenue tariff, and with the sama
great leader (Bryan) for its candidate
the Democratic party will be assured Of
success. and the people, through its VIC
healthy competition, freedom.in trade ana
honest money"