The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-08-29
FOR FREE COINAGE.
Resolutions Adopted by Big Labor
Organizations.

RESOLUTIONS Adopted by Big Labor
Organizations.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Aug. 21.-Repre-
sentative Hartman, of Montana, will pre-
sent in the house today resolutions for the
free coinage of silver which are regarded
by the free silver advocates as one of the
most significant expressions in favor of
their doctrine which have been elected by
the agitation of the past year. The reso-
lutlons have been considered and adopted
during the present session by the most
powerful labor organizations of the coun-
try. Ihey are strongly worded and are
signed by the chief officers of the various
unions. The signe1s are: j. w. Sover-
eign, grand master workman; John w.
Hayes. secretary and treasurer of the
knights of Labor; Samuel Gompers, presi-
dent of the American Federation of Labor;
Marion Butler, president of the National
Farmers Alliance; Henry H. Trenor presi-
dent and P. j. Mcguire, secretary of the
brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners; p.
M Arthur, chief of the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers; c. A. Robson, presi-
dent of the Farmers Mutual Benefit Asso-
citation; Frank Sargent, grand chief fire
man, and F. w. Arnold, secretary and
treasurer, of the Brotherhood of Locomo-
tive Firemen, and John Mcbride, president
of the United Mine Workers of America
Accompanying the resolutions is an ad-
dress to the members of organized la Dor and
all other producers and toilers throughout
the United States, which led to their
adoption The address declares that In
view of the general distress at a time when
granaries are full and in the natural order
of things producers and toilerS should be
enjoying the fruits of their labors, it seems
that time has come for united action on the
part of those who create the wealth of the
country"
One of the causes which have brought
about this condition, the address says, is
the departure from the wise bimetalic
financial principle of Washington, Jefferson
and Hamilton and the substitution of the
monometallic policy dictated by the Euro
pean money holders and their American
allies.
A review Of financial legislation is given
to show what part was enacted in the in
terest of the producing and non-producing
classes. The proposition is set forth that
before the decentralization of silver $500
bushels of wheat or $1,000 pounds of cotton
equaled the annual pay of a senator or
congressman, while today 10000 bushels of
wheat or 100000 pounds of cotton barely
suffices; that formerly $4,000 bushels of
wheat or 100000 pounds of cotton would
have paid the salary of the president while
today he receives the equivalent of 100000
bushels of wheat or 100000 pounds of cot
ton, and the same proportion applleS 10
all other fixed salaries and incomes.
Decentralization of the food producing
ton is said to have caused the manufacture
ers to lose the markets for their goods so
that hundreds of thousands of workmen
have been thrown out Of employment, and
the demonstration of half of the worlds
volume of money to make it comparatively
easy for capitalists to corner and manipu-
late the other half. In review of financial
legislation it is charged that all the acts
since the civil war have been in the interest
of the bondholders and against the pro-
ducers, and the Sherman law is said to
have been repealed at the demand of Eu-
ropean financiers, although a grand fight
was made by the peoples representatives.
The resolutions as follows:
1--WE demand of the present congress an
immediate return to the money Of the con-
stitution, as established by our fathers, by
restoring the free and unlimited coinage of
silver at the present ratio of 16 to 1, the
coins of both metals to be equally full
legal tender for all debts, public and pr-
vate, as before the fraudulent demonetiza-
ton of silver in 1873.
I'VE also condemn the increase of the ma
tional debt in the time of peace and the
use Of Understanding bonds at any time.'