The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-05-25
The Independents in National COnyen
tiOn,

I The National Independent Convention
met at Indianapolis on the 17th About
$50 delegates were in attendance.
The Hon. lgnatius Donnelly, of Mime
sofa, was chosen temporary Chairman, and
made short speech on the financial ques-
| ton. a permanent organization was
| effected By the election of Hon. Thomas
| J. Durant, of the District Of Columbia, as
! permanent President, and number of
! Vice Presidents and four Secretaries.
On taking the chair, Mr.. Durant deliv-
cred somewhat lengthy address, mainly
devoted to the currency question. He re
viewed the financial history of the coun-
try, and from its lessons drew the con.
clnsion that National paper currency,
based on the credit of the Government,
and made receivable for all forms of taxes,
duties and debts, and convertible into in
tercst-bearing bonds, at some equitable
rate Of interest, and reconvertible into
currency at the will of the holder, will
secure uniformity of value to a degree
that gold has never attained, and conduce
to the general business prosperity of the
people of the country The reading of
this address was frequently interrupted by
applause.
AT the session on the 18th the following
platform was adopted:
The Independent partyis called into existence
Dv the necessities of the people, whose industries
are prostrated whose labor is deprived Of its Just
reward by ruinous policy, which the Rcpubli-
can and Democratic parties refuse to change; and
i'll view of the failure Of these parties to furnish re-
lief to the depressed industries of the country,
thereby disappointing the Just hopes and expecta
lions of suffering people, we declare our prlncl-
Piles, and invite all Independent aud patriotic men
to JON ranks in this movement for financial
reform and industrial emancipation.
/. We demand the immediate and unconditional
repeal of the e-Resumption act of Jan. ID
1879, and the rescue of our industries from the
ruin and disaster resulting from its enforcement;
and we call upon all patriotic men to organize in
every Congressional District of the country with
the view OF erecting Representatives to Congress
who will carry out the wishes of the people in this
regard. and stop the present suicidal and destruc
tive policy of contraction.
,. We believe that Il United States note, issued
directly by the Government, convertible on &C.
mand into United States obligations bearing
less rate of interest, not exceeding one cent day
on each 800, and rc-exchangeable for United
States notes at par, will afford the best circulat-
ing medium ever devised Such United States
notes should be a full legatender for all pur-
poses, except for the payment OF such obliga-
tions as are by existing contracts expressly made
payable in coin. and we hold that it is the duty
of the Government to provide such circulation
for the Nation to whom il belongs.
3. 1t is the paramount duty OF the Government,
in all its legislation, to keep in view the full de-
velopment of all legitimate business -agrcultur-
al, mining, manufacturing and commercial.
a. We most earnestly protest against any further
issue of gold bonds for sale in foreign markets,
by which we would be made, for long period,
hewers of wood aud drawers OF water TO foreign
ers especially as the American people would
gladly and promptly take at par all the bonds
which the Government may need to sell, provided
they made payable at the option of the hold
er, and bearing interest at 6j-l0O per cent. per
annum, or even a lower rate
s. We further protest against the sale OF Gov
ernment bonds for the purpose of purchasing sill
venient and less fiucuating fractional currency,
which, although well calculated to enrich the
owners of silver mines, yet, in its operation, Will
still further oppress, in taxation, an already over
burdened people.
The following resolutions were also
subsequently adopted:
Whereas The people of this Nation are obliged |
to pay every obligation whatever in coin, the
option at the time such obligation was made of
ying in either gold or silver and since that time
the right to pa. with silver, which is now the |
cheaper of said metals, having been cancelled by |
the act of Feb. -, 1873, demonefizng the silver
dollar in fraud Of the wishes of the people, we |
therefore demand that the silver dollar, of four |
hundred and twelve and fve-tenth grains weight |
and nine parts full metal, which was full |
legalt tender for all purposes for more than eighty
years In THIS country, snail De restored preCisey
to what it was during the time the obligations |
were made which it was fully competent 10 pay, |
so The people may use it for making such pay |
ments as they choose
Resolved, That this Convention utter its solemn |
protest against any further subs dies to the rail
road corporations, either in the shape OF grants OF
public domain, or OF the guaranteeing OF bonds to |
build and construct said railroads.
The first ballot for candidate for Presi-
dent of the United States resulted as fol-
lows: Peter Cooper, of New York, 800;
ex- Gov. VIM. Allen, of Ohio, 81; ex-Gov.
Curtin, of Pennsylvania, So; Alexander
Campbell, of New York, 2. Mr.. Coopcr's
was made unanimous.
Newton Booth, of California, was then
nominated for Vice President, on the first
ballot, and his nomination was made
unanimous.
A motion was adopted for a committee
of five to issue an address to the people of
the country.
Adjourned sine die.
The National Independent Executive
Committee organized on the afternoon of
the 18th by electing Moses A. Field, of
Detroit, Chairman, and Thomas j. Du
rant, of Washington, Secretary, An Ex-
ecutive Council, consisting Of the Chair
man and Secretary, w. P. Groom of New
York, F. W. Hughes of Pennsylvania,
and Alexander Throop, was appointed,
and the Committee adjourned.