The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-05

preparation of the remainder of the plat
form would be merely matter of clerical
work. =" @V@ %
This suggestion was adopted and the
committee Immediately entered upon the
effort to settle the question of ratio
The session proved a very interesting
one, and many speeches were made.
Mr.. Van Wyck led off with brief state
ment saying that while in his platform he
had referred to four issues as promi-
nent, namely those of Imperialism, mill
tarism, trusts and the finances, he con-
sidered only three of these of cur
rent consequence, believing that the mon
ey question had been crowded into the
background of other subjects which had
pressed to the front during the past
four years. 4.A&
DANIEL is CONSERVATIVE
Senator Daniel, of Virginia somewhat
to the surprise of some of the members
of the committee. followed Mr.. Van Wyck
in support of his view of the question.
The Senator said that no man who knew
him would doubt for minute that he
now stood where he had stood on the
silver question in 1896 and that he en-
tertained precisely the same views on this
subject which then controlled him. He
was however anxious to bring back into
the fold Of the party those who had left
it four years ago on account of the posi-
ton taken on the silver question, and il
this could be accomplished, as he believed
it could be, by emitting all reference to
the ratio, he for one, was content to
pursue that course, simply reaffirming
the Chicago platform.
Mr.. Fitzgerald, of Colorado, followed n
warm speech denouncing in most en-
phatic language any effort to minimize
the financial question. He asserted thai
the omission of a declaration on ratio
of the two metals would be a mere eva
sion and concealment that such evasion
would fool no one.
He declared that if such declaration was
not made even Colorado could be counted
doubtful State.
WILLIAMS STROKES FOR 16 TO 1.
George Fred Williams, of Massachu-
sets, also made spirited argument for
specific declaration on the question of
ratio. He asserted that the Democratic
party had become a new party since it
bad incorporated a new financial blank
in it's new declaration of principles. 1t
had become a virile and live party since
circumstances that the money question,
which was the question of the people
had been made the paramount issue. He
eulogized Mr.. Bryan in high terms, spoke
of his self abnegation and patriotism, and
said that it would be cowardly to ask
that gentleman to recant what he had
been preaching throughout tn" country
for the past four years.
While nOt Drptpndinp tn saw what Mr.
Bryan would do, Mr.. Williams asserted
emphatically and significantly that if
placed in Mr.. Bryans position he would
decline a nomination upon an equivocal
platform AS for himself he did not be-
lieve in deserving those people WHO had
left their own parties to support the
Democratic policy of four years ego for
the purpose of regaining the support OF
the traitors and trimmers who had left
the Democratic party because of his finan-
cial position. There is no reason he
exclaimed, "for making any concession
to treason"
DALY'S PLEA FOR THE NEW ISSUES.
Mr.. Williams was frequently applauded
during the course of his remarks He
was followed by Mr.. Daily, of New Jersey.
who made a plea for conservatism and
1Or concessions TO JIFC HnOueIdIe WluS "
the party He said that he had cheerfully
supported the platform and ticket of for
years ago and had stumped the country
for Mr. Bryan, but he felt convinced that
the time had come when the money qucs-
| tion was no longer paramount and he i'm
plored the committee and the convention
to put it somewhat in the background
| and make the fight of 1900 upon other
| issues
| At the conclusion of Mr.. Days speech
| the committee concluded to take re-
| cess until o'clock in order to allow its
| members to get their dinners
| Upon all questions other than that per-
| tanning to finances the three platforms
presented were practically the same ex-
| cept that Mr.. Van Wyck's draft did not
! cover so many questions as did the other
two.
THE BRYAN PLATFORM
Mr. Metcalfe's copy, after reaffirming
| the Chicago platform, and referring espe
| cially to the ratio in the coinage Of the
/ metals, denounces the trusts in drastic
| language and in the same connection re-
| fers to the protective tariff as one of
! the principal supports of the trust sys-
| tenn 1t also condemns the alleged ten
dency of the present administration tow
| ards Imperialism and the increase of the
standing army. sympathy is expressed
| for the Beers with their struggle with
England, and President Mckinley is con-
| demned for his failure to take decisive
| steps looking towards the manifestation
of the sympathy of the American people
| with the people of the Transvaal
| In connection with the expression on
the Boer question, the assertion is made
that it is evident to all men that secret
alliance exists between the Mckinley Adj
ministration and the British Government
and this alliance is denounced as revolt
ing and repulsive to all liberty-loving
people.
The platform also takes positive posi-
ton on the Philippine question, pronounc-
ing in favor of a policy looking to the
granting of liberty and home government
TO the natives of the archipelago, with a
promise of protection to the people of
that country similar to that which is
vouchsafed by us to the South American
republics.
Planks have been suggested covering
| the questions of Chinese immigration.
good roads the reclamation of the arid