Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-10-12

Cleveland administration leading up to
the campaign of 1896 there was constant
strife In both parties. For a time 1t
seemed that the Republicans would g.
clare for free silver and that the Demo
Gratis would follow their President IN ad.
vocacy for the gold standard. Then 1t
seemed that both parties would declare
for the gold standard and the silver hosts
would enroll under the banner Of Popu
Ism. The Republicans felt certain
that they could win on the pros
perity issue, aad by denouncing the
Cleveland administration for it's Issue Of
S262 O0O, 600 of bonds in "time Of pro-
found peace" But they didn't want 10
split their own forces by taking sides IN
the money fight.
Mr.. Mckinley and Speaker Thomas D.
Reed we've the leading candidates for the
Republican nomination for President. Mr..
Mckinley had the good fortune 10 have
Mark Hanna for his political captain.
Hanna organized the States and took even
New England away from Reed long be-
ore the convention met. Mr.. Hanra was
afraid OF the money question and Mr.
Mckinley was committed by his record
10 'bimetallism." So the ohio leaders
attempted to "straddle" the issue once
more The Ohio State platform contained
Deiphlc utterance on the money ques-
ton which said nothing.
But when the national convention met
at ST. Louis Mr Hanna found that the
question was one which WAS too big to
be straddIed. Senator Thomas c. Plat
OF New York forced Hanna TO accept
gold standard platform. II was later
modified by announcement IN favor
of international bimetalism. which per-
mitted Republicans who had been shout
ing for silver to come down gracefully
Senator Plat may not be regarded as
great statesman. but in 1880 and 1900
be did things that IeEt marks on the
history Of the country.
ADOPTION or GOLD FLANK
CAUSES BOLT IN CONVENTION.
when the gold plank was adopted.
thirty four Western Republican dele
gates, headed by senator Teller Of Colo
RADIO. Senator Cannon OF Utah and Sena-
tor Dubois Of Idaho, walked out OF thu
convention and into the Democratic
party. All over the country there were
Republicans who loudly proclaimed the
fact that they had bolted che nominal
ton Of Mckinley. A national silver
Republican convention was called Mr..
Hanna, chosen chairman Of the nationai
committee, knew that he had a great
job ahead of him and he set TO work
The Democratic convention met IN Chi
cago. The Cleveland wing Of the party
controlled the national committee. but
the recommendations OF that body were
swept aside on the FIRST vote. andr1,
was clear that the silver men controlled
the conyeDEon. A resolution commend
ing the then present Democratic con-
yention was voted down with vengefui
boots. No man was ever hated more
than the Democratic national convention
OF 1896 hated Grover Cleveland, the
Democratic President of the United
States
Leading free silver advocates like Rich
ard r. Bland Of Missouri and John r.
Mclean of Ohio were contesting for the
nomination. The story of their defeat is
IA most familiar bit of political history.
William jennings Bryan, who had re-
ported the st. Louis convention which
nominated Mckinley, for Nebraska
newspaper, came to Chicago at the head
o: contesting delegation. He was given
a seat Then came the great debate on
the platform the Eastern Democrats
fighting hard against the majority. In
that debate Mr.. Bryan. then only 38
years Did. slim of figure and fun OF en-