Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-04
WEDNESDAY. ....APRIL 4, 1874.
Senator Walsh-Party Pledges.


There Is in the letter Of Hon. Patrick
Walsh accepting the appointment 10
serve out Mr.. Colquitt's term In the
United States Senate the following decla-
ration:
every measure of reform pledged by
the national Democratic party VIII re-
ceive my cordial support
Mr.. Walsh is spoken Of by a Georgia
paper as follows;
He has always been an ardent pro-
tectionst heretofore. He is IN favor oi
the free coinage of silver"
"He was defeated as a member OF the
National Democratic Committee on ac-
count OF his high tariff views In 1857
Last year he was defeated as delegate
10 the national convention because ne
favored Hill for President
A Savannah paper says:
"The Governor. however, made mis-
take in appointing gentleman VINO Is
recognized as favoring the free coinage
of silver. and who has so long been re-
1,arded as protectionist, after having
announced when he appointed speaker
Crisp. that he recognized the Importance
Of having a thorough tarin-reforrner IN
the Senate"
Governor Northen deserves credit 1or
making this appointment. and Mr.. Walsh
for pledging himself TO stand upon the
Chicago platform.
But to what measures IS the Democratic
party pledged by its last national plat
form? And what does Senator Walsh
mean by the words "every measure of
reform? What sort of reform did he
have in mind? Does he mean to say that
the Chicago Convention declared in favor
of the free coinage Of silver? IL he does
he will get very few candid men to con-
cur with him in that opinion; for the
silver plank of the Chicago platform is a
complete stradde. 1t can be read either
as a monometallist plank or as bimetal-
list plank. 1t declared for the coinage OF
both gold and silver without charge for
mintage," which words the southern and
western Democrats construed TO mean
the free coinage of silver. and yet in the
very same sentence 1t declared for
making the intrinsic value of silver
dollar the same as the intrinsic value
OF a gold dollar. or as New York and New
England construed this plank. the Chicago
Convention declared against the free COIN
age of silver.
There is nothing in the Chicago platform
that refers TO the seigniorage bill: so Mr.
Walsh cannot consider that a reform to
which the Democratic party was pledged.
But next comes the question of the re-
peal of the Federal tax on the circulating
notes of State banks. Is that one of the
reforms which Mr.. Walsh pledges him.
self 10 support because the Chicago Con-
vention declared for it? We have hereto
fore shown that the Chicago Convention
was exceedingly cautious in choosing the
language of the national platform, and
tried to show that it did not mean to
pledge the Democratic party az a party
to the abolition of the tax In question.
Hon. Jason Brown, of Indiana, who was
q member of that Democratic National
Convention, has declared that all over his
State he In 1892 denounced this plank and
maintained that 1t was nothing more than
a recommendation. Does anybody expect
Mr.. Cleveland to sign a bill to remove this
tax? Has he not made 1t known through
Mr.. Carlisle that he would never favor
its removal unless full provision had first
been made for Federal supervision over
any State-bank system which might be
provided for either by State laws or ma
tional laws7
Now look at the pledges Of the Chicago
platform. First, 1--WE pledge the Demo-
cratic party TO the defeat Of the force
bill. Second, 1--WE pledge ourselves to
tA. all
people Of every acre Of public land now
unlawfuliy held. Third, 1--WE demand"
honest pensions. Fourth, I'VE promise"
to repeal the Mckinley tariff law. Fifth.
1--WE demand the enforcement Of the anti
trust laws. Sixth 1--WE heartily approve"
Of immigration. Seventh, I'VE favor"
legislation in the interest of railroad en-
ployees. Eighth, 1--WE are opposed to
all sumptuary laws. Ninth, I'VE de-
nOunce" the Sherman law as a cowardly
makeshift. eve number the various
planks to suit ourselves.) How different
from the words. 1--WE recommend"
Mr.. Walsh. SO long an editor, Is not
likely to keep his opinions on these ques-
lions TO himself. He will. whenever oc-
sasion offers, let 1t be known what he
means by the language, Every measure
Of reform pledged by the National De-
mocratic party will receive my cordial
support"
Mr. Waish's firmness is clearly indicated
BY the fact that he is Democrat after
the manner of Mr.. Randall. He favors
the free coinage OF silver.