Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-19
The Western Congress.


The Western States Commercial Con-
Democrats who had no idea of leaving the
Democratic party aud Republicans who
had no idea Of leaving the Republican
party. The resolutions reported from the
majority of the committee in charge OF
The platform were not satisfactory TO the
Republicans, and the resolutions reported
from the minority were not satisfactory to
the Democrats. The result was that al
though the majority or Democratic reso-
buttons wero.adopted by vote OF &c to 50,
he.utterances Of the Congress were byt
discord and confusion in the body rem
dered Of much less importance than they
yould otherwise have had. Nevertheless,
their importance must not be moderated.
As we have said heretofore, any strong
organization Of voters is tempted to en-
deayor to form third party. This West
ern States Commercial Congress wasl COM
posed Of members Of both parties and met
In the hope Of efecting an organization
and formulating n creed which would
cause men Of both the old parties to hasten
20 get within the fold Of the new party, or
at least TO adopt its creed. But these old
Democrats were Democrats before they
were Alliance men. and these old Republic
cans were Republicans before they were
Alliance men. The consequent failure to
agree upon platform was natural. The
members of the congress were not ready to
allow the political kaleidoscope TO be
shaken up.
What was the creed set forth in the ma
jority resolutions? These resolutions favor
n law providing for the free coinage Of sill
yer and the issue Of greenbacks enough to
restore the equilibrium between money
and all commodities. They also favor a
tariff for revenue: governmental control
OF interstate commerce; the improvement
of the Mississippi river; the construction
of the Hennepin canal and other water
WAYS; the equalizing of taxation; a bank
rupt law; the suppression of trusts and
combines; better immigration laws; the
suppression Of dealing in futures; and
few other things which it is not necessary
here to name. This is a national platform
and a comprehensive one. Let us note
here that the following tariff resolution
was adopted as q substitute for what the
minority report said on that subject, but
Il does not appear that il was afterwards
adopted by the congress as part OF the
majority report. We quote
awe favor neither FREQ trade nor the exclusion
OF trade, but favor tariff for revenue, limited
20 the ectual needs OF the Government, economi-
caly administered, but 80 levied as 70 cover DIFF
ferences in the Industrial conditions between this
ana other countries, but not 70 create or foster
monopolies"
This resolution reminds us of the famous
Ohio resolutions Of about 1888, which were
adopted by the Democrats of so many
States, Virginia included.
The minority report declared for the free
coinage Of gold and silver, but spoiled the
declaration by making free coinage con-
tinRent upon similar action in other coun-
tries. 1t also favored tariff for revenue
with incidental protection. (Where are the
Protectionists per ssO
Many delegates left the hall during the
heated discussions which took place. They
hailed from Republican States and were
presumably Republicans. 1t was charged
that the convention had turned out TO be a
Democratic meeting. Much i'll feeling was
engendered.
MIR. SxALLEY charged that the freedom
age resolution had been adopted by party
vote. This was equivalent TO saying that
the Democratic party is as party in favor
of the free coinage of silver. II this be
true Democratic monometallists had better
make note of the fact.
We have watched the movements Of all
the new organizations now claiming the
attention of the people. There is a spirit
of unrest abroad in the land. The farm
ers are not satisfied with the existing con-
dition of things. Nor are the working
men. The Democrats seem TO US to be
uniting and consolidating their forces in
The interest of free silver coinage. Per-
haps 1892 will come before they finish the
work.
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