The morning call., 1890-11-09
AN OPEN LETTER
To the National Executive Com.
mittee of the Republican Party.

At meeting of the Pacific Coast Labor
ers' Union, held last evening in Irsh-Amer-
lean Hall, and at which William Nj. Wiley
presided, some routine business was trans
acted. after which a committee of three was
appointed to wait on Rev. Father Montgom-
cry in relation to letter published few
days since and credited to him.
The Executive Committee presented
draft of the following open letter, which was
adopted, and it was decided to send copies
to the National Executive Committee of the
Republican party, the membe rs OF Congress
and to the leading newspapers of the nited
States.
An Open Letter.
To the Chairman Of the National Erecu-
tire Committee Of the Republican partu and
all leading RepUbljcdns-Greetin The
Pacific Coast Laborers' Union No. has de-
cided to request your attention to thefollow-
ing facts, to which you are asked to accord
your careful consideration.
LII the face of almost universal defeat,
California, one of the most uncertain States
in the Union, In spite OF well fought and
bitterly contested campaign, rolls up an
overwhelming Republican majority. Why
is this? Does it not beh0ove you as lead
ing representative of your party to know?
Assuming that distance and the uncertainty
attending the enthusiasm of party triumph
may possibly have obscmed this important
point, it has been deemed advisable TO inform
you of the tue status of the case. We par
ticularly desire to emphasize the fact that
these are the conclusions Of non-physcho-
logized participants in the recent contest.
We had certain specific ends to attain; the
Republican party showed the greatest lncli-
nation to grant our desires, consequently we
supported them. Chief among these de-
mauds was the return to the United States
Senate of Hon. Leland Stanford, TO succeed
himself.
You are requested to remember that this
organization Is neither Democratic nor Re-
publican. 1t is made up Of men who have
been both, but who at present wear no party
collar. The members of our union are not
hypnotized by the idea of being Democrats
or Republicans, but are looking wisely and
sharply after their own interests. We have
found that the interests of all workers are
inSeparably united, and relatively the whole
people OF the United States become involved
with us in our demands. I'VE are truly all
members of one body" Realizing this fact,
we have been forced from municipal into
State and from State we are impelled in
spite of ourselves into national affairs,
hence our interest in your proper apprecia-
ton of the significance OF the present pOliti-
cal dilemma OF your party.
Clearly conscious OF the cause. we conf
IDENTIFY state that free trade rot and protec-
tion tatfy with tacks In III does not interest
us. We want something definite and specific
The talk of protection that does not pro-
tect, and free trade under the competitive
system makes us tired.
The failure in the East and the gIori-
Gus success in the West is owing simply
and solely to your lnattentIon to the de-
mands of large and Intelligent bodies of
organized American citizens who are deter
mined not to be cajoled or driven in to peon-
age. They have become justly alarmed at
the rapid absorption of our natural resources
and productive industries by foreign Syndi-
Gates. They have recognized that the main
factor in effecting these changes is a vicious
financial system that has limited our circu-
lating medium to less per capita than one
half of that of any other nation on earth.
We thus present the paradox OF being at the
same time the poorest, and yet the richest
nation in the world. 10 tie end that these
evils shall he stopped, our brothers in the
East have combined and organized, we
standing heart and h md with them.
As a first Step, among OF er things. they
petition for e., coinage of silver. Then,
in realization OF the fOllY of putting our Coy
eminent stamp upon the bullion OF an inl-
yidaal, thus giving him the rIght OF exploit
ing us by reason of his possession OF gid
and silver, the utter inadequacy of the sup
ply of gold and silver for the purpose of ex-
change. they have, to unit, seconded our
demand that the Stanford Land Loan Bill
become law and be placed in operation.
The American people are waking up they.
are throwing off the ignorant superstition
of the past; they are realizing that the idea
of metallic basis for currency belongs to
the age OF Cowrie shells, wampum belts,
glass beads and kindred barbarlsms. They
are fast learning that man Is the sole basis
of all value, and that human energy applied
to land is security par excellence. Upon
this security they demand that their circula-
ting medium shall rest, for it is as immov-
able as the rocks and as permanent as the
duration of human industry. Your party in
the East has ignored these demands, while
in the West they have been conceded; hence
your defeat IN the East and triumph in the
West.
The system proposed by Senator Stanford,
if placed in operation, will liberate this
country from thraldom to foreign Shv-
locks, strike the letters OF the bond-holderS
from off Our fair land and bring the bless
iEgs of prosperity, contentment and happi-
ness to all.
In striking contrast to the defeat at the
East, we ask you to consider Senator STAN
ford's magnificent victory. We ask you to
learn what it means, to realize that this
great and good man Is the foremost states,
man of this age, and that lie has recognized
the need of the hour and bravely proposed
the remedy. As the author OF the Land
Loan Bill we ask you to consider his tri-
umphant return to the United States Senate
Wseacres, with senile wabblings of their
OF your defeat, whereas the truth is, you
have failed in accomplishing anything ade-
quate to the necessities of the hour.
The fact is. in dealing with starvation,
Senator Stanford proposed the food and ali
mentation demanded, which food you put
aside and attempted to divert the attention
Of the sufferer from his agonies by the music
Of tin whistle and the dextrous balancing
of straws before his pallid and desperate
face. That such legislative bungling as this
should raise storm OF indignation is no
more than you could expect.
With the most respectful sincerity we
urge you TO be strictly honest with yourself
and fairly face the issue.
There is no use denying the truth
that you have no one TO blame save
your own party ignorance and stupid
ity in having ignored the bill intro
the necessitles Of the people. There Is but
one remedy for a mlSiake--correct il, and
the sooner the better. There is but one way
out of the dilemma in which you are. Place
Hon. Leland Stanford at the head of your
party for 1S92-the stone which the builders
rejected has thus become the chief stone of
the corner-and your fault will have been
atoned for. Under Stanford's leadership
your success is asSurred-his name is
synonymous with victory. He has again
and again accomplished the impossible. He
has never known defeat.
Make your fight along the lines that he
has outlined, upon the issue to free our be-
loved country from the thrald0m of Euro
pean b0ndhOlders.
The issuance of sufficiency of our own
currency founded upon land values for our
needs
The enforcement of the eight-hour law in
all municipal, State, national and corporate
bodies, and all contracts therefrom emanat-
ing; that the Government be not the first to
break its own laws; insist that all materials
and supplies, whether furnished direct or
by contract for the Government use, be
manufactured or produced in strict compii-
ance with the eight-bour law
he erection OF warehouses for the storage
of grain and the issuance of Government
receipts therefor, said receipts receivable for
all debts, public and private; that the feeders
of this nation be rescued from the ruin
wrought by the despoiling hands of specu-
lation.
These are definite, specific measur, d
these are the needs of tile hour-igpore them
at your peril. We ask you again to remem-
Der that Senator Stanford's return to the
United States Senate was the pivotal point
of the campaign in California, and his Land
Loan Bill. the recognized desideratum, with
all intelligent voters. We submit that Sem