Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-17
The Ohio Platform, sc.

An atmfraDie pihtICru II UNIV VIM W."
laid down on Wednesday last by the Dem
ocrats of Ohio. and which was published
in full in our columns yesterday. IL is ex-
sctly in the line of the policy which the
D,splrcH has constantly recommended
that of max ing TO the Alliance men con-
ccssion in the form of plank IN faVor
OF the free coinage of silver. There
WIS thunder all round on wednes-
day on the silver question. Governor
CAMPBELL very prudently said not much
on this particular subject. His speech ac-
ceptinc the nomination for Governor was
O most carefully prepared production; but
rs 1t was not known when he prepared IL
what action the convention would take on
the silver question. he could not and did
not discuss that subject.
More: CAMpByLL was nominated by tho
young Democracy with the aid OF the Sill
yerites and the Alliance adherents, whereas
the chairman Of the convention, who made
q long speech. was selected as such chair
man because he was 1.-THE son OF his
father" His speech was therefore not
fully up to the times. The "Noblest Ko-
man of them all" had so much influence
that his hand may be seen not only Ill his
sons speech but elsewhere in the proceed
ings. We admire and honor the gallant
old virginian (by birth), and ask no better
leader, az general proposition. But the
people regard the silver question as TOO
important to be made second to any other
and as the campaign in Ohio progresses
will more and more discuss that ques-
ton.
The platform devotes thirteen lines to
the tariff question and twelve to the SILVER
question. We reproduce both:
ave are opposed TO all class legislation, ana
believe In q tariff levied for the sole purpose OF
producing n revenue SUFFICIENT to defray the
legitimate expenses Of the Government, Geo
nomically administered. We accept the issue
rendered to us by tho Republican party on tho
subject Of tho tariff represented by the So
called Mckinley tariff act, confident that the
verdict OF the people OF Ohio will be recorded
against the iniqultous policy Of socalled protcc-
ton, championed by the Republican party In
the interest Of favored classes against the
masses.
"Wo denouncc the decentralization OF silver In
alteration of the money standard In favor OF
creditors and against debtors, taxpayers, and
producers, and which, by shutting of one Of the
sources Of supply Of primary money operates
continually 10 increase the value of gold depress
prices, hamper industry, and disparage enter
prise, and we demand the reinstatement Of the
constitutional standard Of both gold and silver,
with the equal right OF each TO free and unlimited
coinage"
In other words, the Democrats Of Ohio
"accept the tariff issue rendered to them
by the Republicans, but force the issue OF
the silver question upon the Republican
party. Read the proceedings of the
grand Alliance rally at Atlanta. Ga, on
"Wednesday if you desire to know how the
people stand on the silver question.
The reciprocity resolution-a demand
for closer relations with Canada-is a good
hit. 1t is claim that, as we have re-
peatedly said, reciprocity IL Democratic
measure. IL takes the wind out of the
sails of Mr. BLAINE, or Mr.. BUrTERwoRTH,
or Mr., Mckinney, or any other man who
sets up the ridiculous claim that the party
of protection is the party of reciprocity.
A most important plank in the Ohio plat
form is couched in the following words:
I'VE favor graded income tax"
This declaration Is novel one in a
Democratic platform. 1t was this declara-
ton, and not the declaration in favor OF
the free coinage of silver, that caused so
many members of the convention to vote
for the substitute reported by the minority
of the Committee on Platform. A gradu-
sted income tax promises to be live issue
before long. 1t is measure concerning
which much may be said. 1t has much to
recommend il and much to condemn it..
II all men would make true returns OF
their incomes graduated income tax
would be levied in less than twelve months
from to-day. But there Is the rub. There
arc thousands and tens of thousands of
men who would commit perjury in return
ing their incomes rather than pay tax
upon them. And the larger the income
the greater the temptation to cheat the
Government out Of the tax upon it. We
in Virginia need not give ourselves undue
concern upon the subject of graduated
income tax. II would probably not fall
upon 6uf man hHNihE al ihSphhV VA AVSo
than $1,000 year; and the returns of the
income tax in Virginia show that there are
very few persons indeed who have 30 large
an income as that. You will learn from
these returns that in point of fact only a
few persons in Virginia return a taxable
income Of even $1,000.
There are other features OF the Ohio
-. ..A
Taken rs a whole, it is capital utterance.
1t points the way in which the Democrats
of every State must walk. We said few
days ago that whether the OHIO Demo-
cratic platform should declare for free
coinage or not. its action or non-action
would have much influence in other States.
Well. that platform comes out unequivo-
cslly for free coinage. and the result will
assuredly be as We predicted.