Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-08-19
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 10. 1898.
The Platform.


The platform adopted on Thursday
night by the Democratic State Convention
was prepared with great care. The Ian
ruacc employed indicates clearly that the
members Of the committee endeavored to
nut forth a creed which would be accepta-
bio 20 the silver men as we'll rs the anti
silver men-to Mr.. CLEVELAND a we'll as TO
fhe Democrats who do not agree with him
on the silver question. In reaffirminR the
Otterances no, the principles of the
Chicago platform on that question the
convention lett the Virg ma Democratic
members OF the two houses of Congress
free 10 vote with Mr.. CLTyELANDs friends
or the other side on the question of the
repeal Of the SHERMAN bill and on all the
bills for the relief of the people which
may be considered by Congress The
"pr.uc.pcs announced in the national
convention" at Chicago are what our plat
form Saws the people endorsed with such
,lnauimity. Mr.. CLyyELtND's extraordi-
nary personal popularity in the national
convention and Mr.. OFEBRALL's in the
Virginia Convention had n good deal to do
with the wording Of the two platforms.
The ta-iff principles" set forth at Chi
Cago are repeated in the Virginia platform.
We expected this % bo done if platform
was erected at oil. The issue IN Ohio is
this fall 10 he as to whether the people OF
That state favor protection or not.
We did not expect the Virginia Conven-
tiou 10 declare for a graduated income
tax We have several times remarked that
e. iof ha a
II could Dee flirly enforced. But can this
Be doncs The old income tax yielded IN
one Of the years during which it was in
operation over $1,000, 0O). This declara-
Zion will take the wind out of the sails of
thePopuhsts. The old income tax was not
graduated we think
The Virginia Convention recommended
that the tax on State-bank issues should
lie abolished. This can only be dons by
Congress and the President.
The Virginia platform is strong on State
or homo questions The public schools
She agricultural interests; the most rigid
economy; a revision Of the criminal laws
the oyster interest pensions 70 Confederate
soldiers and good roads, are oil declared
for in PLAIN IMAM biguous language.
Governor McKINNEY's administration is
pronounced wise, patriotic, and judi
cious." II Is a great satisfaction to be
able to 20 into the pending contest with
such a record as Governor McKISSEY Of
fers for the consideration Of the people.
The Federal election laws are denounced
IN vigorous terms. They ought to be re-
tealed at once Whenever the Repubh-
rams regain power. as they may before
many years have passed over our heads,
they Will so amend those laws as to render
State laws a dead letter and State cleo
lions a farce.
Conventions are held 10 decide just such
questions "a were decided by the Virginia
Convention. Let all good yield
bheerfully what they have to yield and
boast not Of what they secured.
The following is the utterance of the
Chicago convention on the silver question.
As ITS principles were endorsed by the
Virginia Democratic Convention we take
IL that every Democrat will wish to read 1t
once more:
Section T. VS. denounce the Republican legs-
Iation known as the Sherman act OF 1880 as a
GONdrulN ulhkeSnut iFbuknl Win poSSlpihticoNA
danger in the future which should make all OF
its supporters, as we'll its author, anxious for
its speedy repeal. We hold to the
n.o OF both gold and silver "a the
standard money OF the country and to
she coinage Of both gold and silver without
discriminating against either metal or charge
FOR mintage, but tho dollar unit Of coinage OF
both metals mus, be OF equal intrinic and ex-
Cnangeable value, or be adjusted through inter-
national agreement or by such safeguards OF
legislation as shall insure tho maintenance OF
the parity Of the two metals and the equal
power o. every dollar at all times in the markets
md IN payment OF debts and we demand that all
paper currency shall be kept at par with and
fedeemable ia such coin. We insist upon this
policy as especially necessary for the protection
OF the farmers aud laboring classes-the hrs'
and most defenceless victims Of unstable money
and fuctuating currency.
Section s. We recommend that the prohibit
tory 10 per cent. tax on state- bank issues be
kopeHlod