The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-05

imperialism, mllltarlSm, trusts and nndnce,
he considered that only three of these were
of current consequence, believing that the
money question had been crowded into the
background by other subjects which had
pressed to the front during the past four
years.
DANIEL CAUSES SURPRISE.
Senator Daniel, of Virginia, somewhat to
the surprise OF some of the members Of the
committee, followed Mr. Van Wyck in sup
port of his view of the question. The sena-
tor said that no man whe knew him would
doubt for minute that he now stood
where he had stood on the silver question
in 1886, and that he entertained 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
position taken on the silver question. and if
this could be accomplished, as he believed
it could be by omitting all reference to
ratio, he, for one, was content to pursue
that course, simply reaffirming the Chicago
platform.
Mr.. Fitzgerald, of Colorado, followed in q
warm speech denouncing in most emphatic
language any effort to minimize the finan-
cial question. He asserted that the omis-
sion of declaration on ratio of the two
metals would be mere evasion and con-
cealment; that such evasion would fool no
one nor catch any of the gold-standard
people whom it was meant TO entrap. 1t
was only meant to be construed as a silver
plank in one section of the country and as
an anti-silver plank in another. Such a
foil 10 fiSfv he
pie of all sections eff he said. referring
to the platform presented by Mr.. Metcalf,
..Mr. Bryan is a good enough platform,
then the platform approved by him should
be good enough" He declared it was es-
sential that there should be declaration
for ratio in clear and unmistakable terms.
and he followed this up with the assertion
that if such declaration was not made even
Colorado could not be counted doubtful
State, with a prospect of not only casting
its electoral vote for Mckinley, but of send
ing Mr.. Wolcott hack. to the Senate.
George Fred Williams, of Massachusetts,
also made a spirited argument for spe-
cific declaration on the question of ratio.
He asserted that the Democratic party had
become a new party since 1t had incorpo-
rated the financial question in its declara-
tion of principles. 1t had become virile
and live party since 1896, and this fact was
due solely to the 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 pa
triotism and said that it would be cowardly
to ask that gentleman to recant what he
had been preaching throughout the country
for the past four years. Mr.. Bryan had
gone up and down the Nation preaching
bimetallism at the ration of 1s to 1. and no
Democrat had presumed for a moment to
question his authority for such declaration
or to pretend that he was In any wise mis-
representing the sentiment of his party. 1t
was, in his opinion, too late now to con-
denim Mr.. Bryans course, and failure to
make positive pronouncement on this ques-
ton would amount to this. While not pre-
tending to say what Mr.. Bryan would dc.
Mr. Williams asserted emphatically that IL
placed in Mr.. Bryans position he would
decline a nomination upon an equivocal
platform. AS for himself he did not be-
lieve in deserting those people who had left
their own party to support the Democratic
policy of four years ago for the purpose of
regaining the support of traitors and trim
] mers who had left the Democratic party
because of its financial position. There is
| no reason" he said, for making any con-
| cession TO treason" Continuing, he asked,
| Are we going to drive the Populists into
| the middle of the road in order to get back
these traitors? Are we going to sell out
! our principles of the Democratic party and
desert our real friend? He predicted that
| If this course was to be pursued the trusts
would take complete possession of the Dem
| ocratic party, as they had already taken
possession of the Republican party, and in
| that event there would no longer be any
ark of refuge for the plain people.
DAILY OPPOSES Is TO l.
| 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 for con-
cessions to the moderate wing of the party
| Upon all questions other than that per-
/ tanning TO finances the three platforms pre-.
sented were practically the same, excep,
| that Van Wycks draft did not cover sc
many questions as did the other two. Mr.
Metcalfs copy, after reaffirming the Chi.
| cago platform and referring to the ratio in
the coinage of the metals. denounces the
| trusts in drastic language. and. in the
same connection, refers to the protective
| tariff as one of the principal supports oi
| the trust system. 1t also condemns the al
| legged tendency of the present Republican
administration towards imperialism ant
| the increase of the standing army. Sym
pathy is expressed for the Beers In theil
struggle with Great Britain. and the Pres
| ident is condemned for his failure to tax,
decisive steps looking toward the mani
festation of the sympathy of the American
people with the people of the Transvaal
| In connection with the expression on tn.
Boer question the assertion is made that 4
is evident to all men that a secret allianc,
exists between the Mckinley adminsstra
ton and the British government. and thi,
alliance is denounced as revolving and re-
pulsive to all liberty-loving people.
The platform also takes positive position
on the Philippine question, pronouncing 1,
favor of a policy looking to the granting O
liberty and home government to the ma
tives Of the Pacific archipelago, with |
promise of protection to the people OF tha
CONTINUED ON TENTH PAGEJ