Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-12
HOKE SMITH ON ISSUES
OPENS CAMPAIGN WITH SPEECH
AT COLLEGE POINT, IL.
Cleveland's Former Secretary. Of the
Interior Slams the Silver Element
Attacks Roosevelt.

The gold standard can form no issue
in the present campaign. The telegram
of our candidate to the national conven-
ton only confirmed the view of the over,
whelming majority of the delegates and
the voters they represented that the gold
standard has been irrevocably estab-
lished. 1t should be source of universal
rejoicing that if all the silver advocates.
whether from the republican or demo-
cratic parties. were gathered together
they would not today be of sufficient
numbers to form a respectable organiza-
ton"
This declaration was made last night
by Hoke Smith, Secretary of the Interior
under Cleveland. in the opening speech
of the national democratic campaign at
College Point. L. 1. 1t was cheered to the
echo by an audience that outnumbered three
to one the audience which listened to the
opening speech of the republican campaign
by Secretary Of the Treasury Leslie NJ
Shaw, to which it was an answer.
Mr.. Smith spoke before the annual gather
ing of the democratic clubs of Queens
every year at College Point. Next to Big
Tim Sullivan, Cassidy holds the ribbon in
Greater New York for the size of his out
ings. Yesterdays was the biggest in the
history of his leadership. The steamer
Richmond, the barge Nielsen and trains
and trolleys carried between 1000 and 5000
persons to Witzers grove. where they
spent the day playing base ball and indulg
ing in the games which usually character
iZe these outings.
The day wound up with a great dinner,
served in the mammoth barn-like hall. and
at the end Mr.. Smith spoke. Secretary
Shaw, at the same place three weeks ago.
opened the republican campaign in
speech before the annual gathering of the
republican clubs Of the county. Mr.. Smith
was invited by the democrats of the county
to answer Secretary Shaw. Mr.. Smith went
out to the outing early in the afternoon
in the automobile of Matthew J. Goldner,
superintendent of sewers. accompanied by
Judge Bert A. Humphrey and Assistant
District Attorney James A. Gray.
Cheered the Attack on Roosevelt.
He was introduced by Borough Presi-
dent Cassidy and spoke for nearly an hour.
The former cabinet officer is of imposing
stature. being over six feet high, and is
rapid-fire talker. He held the audience by
his energetic delivery, and before he had
gone far IN his merciless attack on Presi-
dent Roosevelt had the crowd cheering en-
Enthusiastically. Mr.. Smith said, in part:
This Is great day for a democratic
rally. Our candidates plain, clean declara-
ton in favor of obedience to law, his de-
-votion to constitutional government, his
equal and just recognition of the rights of
person and property give joy to all who
love their country.
His nomination was due to no effort of
his own. 1t was due to no effort of his
personal friends. The people of the United
States nominated him.
Hanging over them like a dark cloud
was the possibility of the election Of man
whose restless egotism placed the entire
country in a state of uncertainty and about
whom the inquiry with no feeling of hope
was constantly made: What will he do
next?'
Three years Of the administration of
Mr.. Roosevelt as President had produced
an earnest desire for a change. He had
disregarded international law. He had
overridden the rights Of Congress. He had
violated the Constitution. The feeling of
doubt and uncertainty produced by the
administration of Mr.. Roosevelt had check
ed the prosperity made possible by the adj
ministration of Mr.. Cleveland and realized
under the administration of Mr. Mckinley.
President Roosevelt had sown the seed of
sectional hatred where the true heart of
President Mckinley had inspired universal
love.
well may the republicans shrink from
did the Secretary of the Treasury here en-
deavor to present an issue which Is really
not involved in the present campaign.
He claimed that the success of the dem
ocratic party would endanger the gold
standard, but he omitted much that was
pertinent upon this subject
THE republican platform of 1892 de-
clared for bimetallic currency. The re-
publican platform as late as 1896 declared
In favor Of a bimetallic currency to be
obtained by international agreement.
Gave Cleveland the Credit,
mot to the republican party. but to
Mr.. Cleveland and his Secretary Of the
Treasury Mr.. Carlisle, more than all 9TH
ers is the country indebted for the stability
and prosperity which has come to pass
under the gold standard.
Both parties during past years have
advocated silver coinage. But against the
republican party stands the charge of the
most dangerous silver legislation Our
political leaders, democrats and republi-
cans. have gradually learned that bimet-
alism Is impossible; that a single standard
is necessary.
I'm the recent democratic national con-
vention 1t Is safe to say that so per cent
Of the members favored the gold standard
The nomination Of Judge Parker would have
been impossible had not the delegates rec
ognized In him gold-standard advocate"
H~1