Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-07-16
THE GREENBACK CONVENTION.

THE GREENBACK CONVENTION.
Correspondence of the Wheeling Standard
CHARLESTON, July 4.
The 'Greenbackers had State Convention
her to>day. Delegates were here from Ka>
nawha, Putnam, Jefferson aud Berkeley coun-
ties and the attendance of outsiders
suficiest to fill the Court II ouse and not
crowd it. . --=...
Hon. ,Jno. A. Thomson, of Jefferson
county, was the permanent President, and
the Vice Presidents were five in number
The Secretaries were A. ". Burnett of the
GreenJach League, r. p. Warren of the
Courier, and j. Il. Brodt, Esq. Only Bur-
nett served. j. NJ. Ruiglcy, Esq, was Chairs
man OF the Committee on Platform. Speeches
were made by President Thomson, 7. G. At
kinson, of Putnam, judge j. II. Ferguson,
S. c. Burdett, of Charleston, and Mr.. Smith
from one of the coal mines on the G. & o.
railroad above Charleston.
During his remarks, Judge Ferguson raid
he was in favor of tho platform which had
been adopted, except that he did not believe
the Government should issue paper money
without the stamp of the promise to pay on
it. He did not know but that he should be
with the Greenback party when it comes to
voting in 1880. He would if the Demo-
cratic party did not adopt the right kind of
platform. Smith and Burdett, who fol-
lowed Ferguson were ungrateful enough to
make fun of the Judge, and rather ridiculed
his position, as of one who was waiting to see
which party could be the strongest.
Ferguson also said in the course of his
speech that he thought the railroad strikers
had been Governor and had been called on
for help he would have replied to the rail-
road officials to do justice to the railroad la
borers first, and then he would see about
affording protection to the property of the
employers. The rights of the laborer should
be considered and not entirely ignored.
The synopsis of the platform is:
They declare that the members of the
Grecnback party nre neither Office. seekers
nor politicians, and only want more and cheap
money as a remedy for the bad legislation of
the past twelve years which has been against
the interests of the many, and for the benefit
of the few.
That $40 pei capita of money circulation
is rot enough for the want of the people
The money is now in tho hands of those who
use it not to give impetus to the industries
of the country, and the Greenback party will
continue to agitate the subject till the Gov
eminent policy ard legislation is moulded to
their views.
Contracts must be invaluable; but bonds
shall be paid in circulating medium, as orig
inally provided.
Promise to pay should not be stamped
on Government paper any more than on the
gold aud silver coin.
1t is not good morals for the Government
to promise to pay more than it has the abil-
ity to pay. any more than it is for an individ-
ual to do So
Labor is the wealth of the country, and
there should be Legislation to protect the in
terests of labor.
Abundance of monay never was known to
hurt nation it never entailed oppression,
and the Government would not err if the in
terest bearing debt should be paid in full by
legal tender paper money.
IF there is in this country any commun-
ism in property it is the natural offspring of
q vicious legislation which has made idlers,
tramps and beggars of many thousands of our
population.
Greenbacks should BIO decreed to be equal
to gold and silver, and this should in the
future be the American system of finance
The bonds of the national banks should be
paid Immediately, and no interest, bearing
obligations should be issued hereafter
Greenbacks should be increased till they are
equal in amount to the national debt.
Tha name of the party shall be The Ma
tioual G reenback Labor Party"
We demand that the system of contracts,
letting out the labor of the convicts in the
Pententiary, shall be abolished.
We demand that the Legislature shall
provide for the health and safety of those
engaged in mining, manufacturing and
building.
We demand the enactment of laws giving
mechanics ard aborers a first lien on their
work for their full wages.
We recommend that the Constitution be
amended SO that the President and Vice
President and Senators shall be elected by
direct vote of the people.
The Convention ajourncd at five o'clock.
BUCK.