The record-union., 1894-09-26
MR.. WEBSTER'S VIEWS.
He Does Not Agree With the Peoples
Party Platform.
ALI the Gubernatorial Candidates
Seem to Agree on the Rail-
road Question.
From the Los Angeles Express

Gently, he gave publicity to his views on
his party and its policy in an interview
in the Herald. The expression of opinion
by Mr.. Webster was marked by an un-
usual frankness on his part, considering
that he is a candidate of the party he was
criticising for the highest office in its gift
In this State; and it may we'll be won
dered at that thinking as he does on those
points he should be found at the head OF
the Third party movement. There can
be no question that if he thinks as he
talked in the interview referred to, he
differs essentially from his followers, and
his administration would be a decided
failure if he were elected, from their
standpoint. He said, for instance:
In the case of all reform movements there
must, of necessity, be a very large number
who were extremely visionary; those, in TACT.
VINO had no proper conception of the manner
OF bringing about condition OF affairs such
as the business of the country demanded.
Many theories not at all practical were adj
Yanced, but all such visionary schemes were
IKE The debris OH the stream. The principles
underlying the party We're right IN the main;
all 1t needed was for some one to take the lead
and direct the stream in the proper channel.
Undoubtedly Mr.. Webster is correct in
that view of the case, but it is easy to see
that the visionary element who are now
clamoring for his election, will be far
more disappointed if by any accident he
should be successful than if he should
fail. They fancy he is going to do great
many things which as Governor he GER
taInly could not and would not attempt,
and when he followed his own views in
stead of theirs they will accuse him of
treason. To show that we are correct in
THIS view, we quote the opening SEN
tences of his interview:
The present uprising of the political move
ment known as the Populist party can best be
illustrated by comparing 1t to a torrent which
is sweeping down under the stimulus OF n
Hood. Upon It's surface is much debris, rough
logs and an 1ndescribabie amount OF dirt. I'm
less the torrent is directed into proper chan
nels and the debris held in check, much dam
age can result from its onward rush.
Anyone who has noticed the elements
which go TO make up the Populist party
Will not find 1t difficult to understand
what Mr.. Webster means by ''tiIe de-
bris," trough logs" and "indescribable
amount of uirt," to which he refers; and
he must have wondered sometimes if he
could stem the current. But the most
remarkable part of Mr.. Webster's inter
view Is the position he takes on the
financial question. The platform on
which he was nominated says: 1--WE
favor unconditional repeal of the National
Bank Act, and i'll lieu of national bank
notes that the Government issue treasury
notes, legal tender for all debts, public
ana private, and provide for the free
coinage OF silver at a ratio of I6 to l."
Inc Express has several times called
attention To that clause, and to the Omaha
platform, which is understood to mean
an issue OF hat money by the majority of
the Popullsts. The average Populist will
tell you that his party proposes to sue
at least 500 per capita of fiat money; and
IN the local County Convention the doc
Lflne OF nat money was loudly and tre-
quently proclaimed. The Farmers AIli-
ances have refused to vote for county road
bonds because of this issue of fiat money
that was to be loaned TO every one and TO
every community at per cent; and this
country is now suffering from poor roads
because SO many of its POpullst citizens
expect TO be able to borrow all the money
they need from the Federal Government
after the 9th of next November. Yet
here comes Mr.. Webster, who deuounces
hat money, and says:
What are my personal views on the finan-
clal question? Well, they are these: The
party platform sets forth a demand fora s.cur-
rency safe, sound and flexible OF an increased
amount, issued direct to the people, or some
better plan." Or some better plan, you will
observe. Now, think there is better plan.
or course. it is my own personal view one
OF the objections which you people have al
ways raised TO our party was its position on
fiat money. As a matter of fact, nat money
cannot be sound, or no issue OF money above
certain amount, can be sound without it has
There is statement that might have
been expected from Estee, but hardly
from Mr.. Webster. 1t is clear denun-
citation OF his party PLATFORM an open and
avowed reputation of it. Mr.. Webster
is not only opposed to fiat money but he
is distinctly III favor of a coin money,
with paper money redeemable in gold
and silver, for he says:
My plan in brief is that instead of keenino
$1O0,00O,000 in gold on hand with which to
redeem its bonds. would be to strike out The
word gold and substitute the words to be re-
deemed in coin or i'll 2.40 bonds at the pleas
ure of the holder. Coin would mean either
gold or silver. those who wanted contnu-
alton OF bonds at an interest of 2.4O could
have them. Ihis would allow at least $780,
100000 OF idle money, which is held for no
real purpose, to be used in the regular chan
nelS. Then it should be the aim 10 make IN
alliance with south America, Mexico Central
America and the Latin union to unite upon a
silver basis at the rate of so 10 /. This Gov
eminent would then have no difficulty in
maintaining silver on par with gold and
bring it into greater demand.
The currency should be issued with coin
backing, and by opening the mintS for the
free of silver we would have money
which is needed for the business OF the coun-
try.
1t would be difficult to make clearer
statement than that. 1t is Reputation
of the theories of the Populists and their
Omaha platform, so clear and distinct
that every one who reads it will be at a
loss to understand why Mr.. Webster is
Populist.
The candidate for Governor denounces
the bill now before Congress, To which
MIR. Estee referred in his speech, and
stands with that gentleman in declaring
. it impracticable.
Now you will say that as there appears to
be plenty of money in the vaults OF the banks
and IN the Nations stronghold it Will be
simply adding to this store to increase the
volume. But l have q plan for the Govern
ment, which, by the way, is the people, TO
step in and regulate this Interest; not. how
ever, by the wild-eyed theory of having
county bank, with thousands of salaried COM
missioners and no end of red tape, to loan it
direct to the people, but, on the contrary, un-
der such methods as would appeal TO any
BenSiDle business man.
1t is very evident that Mr.. Webster's
banking experience has stood him in
good stead and he is no believer in the
theories which he so aptly terms wild
eyed" and which are To be heard on
street corners where Populists most do
congregate. There is hardly a word in
all we have quoted that could not be in
dorsed by every bimetallist in the coun-
try, and the Republican party can be as
safely intrusted TO carry out all the ideas
OF Mr. Webster as enumerated above as
the political organization TO which he be-
longs.
on the railroads. too, Mr.. Webster
stands with his competitors, Mr.. Estee
and Mr.. Budd. He says:
No, l am not in favor of the absolute own
ership OF the railroads by the Government
/ believe the Government should take hold
of The Union and Central Pacific Railroads.
This would mean an investment, already
made, of $50,0OO,00o. Another S75.GoO-
600 would build a line to New York. With a
through transcontinentai line across the CON
troll the traffic and effect a saving to the peo-
rle of 20 to 90 per cent. The ownership of