Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-05-31
The National Greenback Convention.

THE National Independent Convention
met at Indianapolis on the fifth. About
], $50 delegates were in attendance
| The Hon. Ignatius Donnelly, of Mime
! sofa, was chosen temporary Chairman.
ard made short speech on the financial
question. Appointment organization was
! effected by the election of Hon. Thomas
j. Durant, OF the District Of Columbia, as
permanent President, and a 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 conclu-
sion that National paper currency,
| based on the credit of the Government.
and made receivable for all forms oftaxes'
| duties and debts, and convertible into in
| terest- bearing bonds. at some equitable
rate of interest, and recoverable into cur
rency at the will of the holder, will secure
| a uniformity of value 70 degree that gold
has never attained, and conduce to the
general business prosperity of the people
of the country The reading OF this adj
dress was frequently interrupted by ap-
| piause.
At the session on the 18th, the following
platform was adopted:
! The Independent party is called into existence
| by the necessities of the people, whose Indus
tries are Frustrated, whose labor is deprived of
its just reward by rulnous policy, which the Re-
| publican and Democratic parties refuse TO change;
and i'll view of the failure of these parties TO
furnish relief to the depressed industries of the
| country, thereby disappointing the just hopes
and expectations of a suffering people, we declare
our principles and invite all Independent and
patriotic men TO join our ranks in this Mt
| for financial reform and industrial emancipation
l. We demand the immediate and uncondition-
al repeal of the Specie Resumption act Of Jan. a.
1873, and the rescue OF our industries from the
| ruin aud disaster resulting from it, enforcement:
and we call upon ali pa riotic men to organize in
every Congressional District OF the country with
| the view Of electing Representatives to Congress
| who will carry oat the wishes of the people in
this regard, and stop the present suicidal and de.
| structive policy OF contraction.
2 We believe that United States note, issued
| directly by the Government convertible on de-
maHd into United States obligations bearing
less rate OF interest, not exceeding one cent dsy
| on each $40. and Interchangeable for United
States notes at par will afford the best circulat-
! ing medium ever devised Such United States
| notes should be a full legal tender Tor al pur-
poses. except Tor the payment OF such Obligations
rs are by existing contracts expressly made paya-
bic in coin, and we hold that is the duty Of the
Government to provide such circulation for the
| Nation to whom it belongs.
| 3. II is the paramount duty Of the Government,
| in al its legislation. to keep in view the full &C.
vclopment of all legitimate business -agrcu.tug-
ri, mining manuiac, uring and commercial.
4. 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 and 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 are made payable ut the option OF the holder,
and bearing interest at 3 b5-1O0 per cent. per
| mum. or even lower rate.
| 5. We further protest against the sale of Gov
erhment bonds for the purpose Of purchasing sill
| yer 10 be used as substitute for our more con-
venient and less 1ucruating fractional currency.
which. although we'll calculated to enrich the
owners of silver mines, yet, in its operation, viii
still further oppress, il taxation, an already
burdened people
The following resolutions were also sub
sequently adopted:
| fhveas, The people of this Nation age obliged
| to pay every obligation whatever in coin. the
| option AZ the time such obligation made Of
paying in either gold silver and since that time
| the right to pay with silver. which lie now the
cheaper of said metals, having been Cancelled by
the act OF Feb. Il, 1873, demonciZing the silver
! dollar in fraud of the wishes of the people, we,
therefore, demand that the silver dollar, of four
| hundred and twelve aud fve-tenth grains weight,
aud nine parts full metal. which full
legsl-icnder for all purposes for than eighty
! years in this country shall be restored precisely
| to what II was during the time the obligations
were made which il was fully competent to pay.
go the people may use ii for making such payments
| as they choose.
Hesoited, That this Convention utter its solemn
protest against any further subsidies to the rail-
road corporations. either in the shape of grants OF
public DOMAIN or of the guaranteeing of bonds 20
| 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, 300;
| ex-Gov. VIM. Allen, of Ohio, 81 +; ex-Gov.
| Curtin, OF Pennsylvania, So; Alexander
Campbell, of New York, 2. Mr.. Cooper's
nomination 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 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 Durant,
OF Washington, Secretary. An Executive
Council. consisting of the Chairman and
Secretary, W. p. Groom of New York, +.
W. Hughes OF Pennsylvania, and Aexan-
der Throop, was appointed, and the Com
mittee adjourned.