The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-23
THE TIMES PLATFORM.


pleasure in doing so.
The Times is a Democrat and Demo
crat to the core. We will define wha
makes a Democrat, in our opinion. 4
Democrat is one who believes in thu
principle that all men are absolutely equa
before the law. We believe in equality
, for all, and privileges for none. This
7 does not deny TO any man the right to
exercise that superiority over those who
come into contact with him, which comes
: from the gifts that God has bestowed
upon him. That is a thing which is be-
yond the Jurisdiction of government and
laws. What we claim. and all that we
claim, is, that one individual shall have
the same rights and the same opportu-
mites before the laws that all other men
have.
AS cognate to this. the Times insists
that the ballot-box shall give true and
correct response to the voice Of the ciu-
zens The sacredness of the ballot is at
the foundation Of all Democratic govern
| ment. II the ballot-box is foul there can
be no good government, and no Democ-
racy Next, after the principle Of Democ-
racy comes this all essential necessity
for fair and open elections, in which
every man shall have the liberty Of
voting as he pleases, and the votes shall
| be counted just as they are cast.
The next most important plank in our
platform is our demand for sound money.
| There can be no sound business con-
| Quoted upon the basis Of unsound money.
Gold is the money of the world, and
when we make gold our standard of
value, we are dealing on terms Of equality
with all the rest Of the world. 1t is not
certain that this will be the case II We
attempt to incorporate silver as part
Of our standard of value. Still, the Times
will yield to the demand for silver If an
international agreement is arrived at,
whereby gold and silver are to be used
by all the advanced nations at an agreed
ratio. We are willing to make trial Of
1t. but we have little faith in the result.
The subject is one controlled by the
laws of trade, and no legislative enact |
ments can permanently control the course |
which they will take.
And as a part Of our financial creed
we want to say that we are entirely
opposed to the Government of the United
States issuing any of what is called
paper money" paper money" is moth
ing but paper promises to deliver coin.
II is not money and cannot be money.
II is only a useful substitute for money.
1t is a matter belonging to the local
Jurisdiction. If any individual chooses to
issue his promises to deliver money it
is his natural right to do so in any
quantities and IN any sums that suit
him. So IL is a natural right Of our
State Governments TO charter banks and
authorize them to issue their promises
TO pay money 1t Is as much natural
right Of a State to charter a bank with
this power to issue notes "a il is Of an
individual to issue his own notes. II
this natural right Of the State to char
ter such banks is not interfered with
is business enough 10 justify them, and
then all the citizens Of the State, who
have property and character that entite
them TO credit, will be able to get accom-
at their local banks. The nation
al banks being all at commercial centres
and their managers not knowing the
people generally, the people are now ]
unable TO make any use Of their property
and character. Their credit is practi-
cally conhscated.
Next comes the tariff. The Times be- ]
lieves In the principle of free and un-
restricted trade. Protection belongs to
the domain OF a socialistic and paternal
government. which we abhor IN all it's
forms. But the Times will not support
the Wilson BILL which is a protective
tariff bill 1t gives protection to the
New England manufacturer for the pro-
ducts of his mills and then secures him q,
tree coal 10 make his profits greater !,
us TO sell our own coal in =
with the world. The Times ;,
kinks that all imports should be taxed
or raising the Governments revenues, >,
md that all should be taxed ratably and :,
EQUALLY according TO value. This is. 90
equality, and therefore equity. =,
SO far as our policy towards railroad
corporations is concerned the Times in :
lists that they shall not be robbed under =
tatute laws. We should respect their
property rights and deal with them Just
and literally as common carriers 81
ur persons and freights. and encourage
heir development. But the Times womb :,
ather see every one in the State tor, -
p before It VIII permit them to Interfere :,
1th our elections by corrupting the -
ufrage with money The permission ~,
ne railroads OF this perniclous practice
'ay Halter the vanity as II increases
ne Importance and power OF some in Ia
'''dHais. but II is not good for The ID
alifoads themselves. as Ii will certainly as
ring upon them the resentment of the ~
sople. II the People should escape belna In
iade the s'syss OF the railroads. The su
ines wi' direct slI It's energies rs
wards brcsking this practice m.