The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-02-06
PLATFORM.
A Correspondent Suggests What 1t |
Should Consist OF,

PLATFORM.
Correspondent Suggests What 1t
Should Consist OF.
To the Editor
see you give the opportunity for any of
the subscribers to your paper to present
their views on questions of public policy,
and so take the opportunity to present what
I regard, from years of study, as the best
and most speedy way to solve the financial
problem, and give the masse of the people
of the republic the relief SO imperatively
demanded from the burdens which are
crushing them down, and threatening to
destroy the very foundations of civil lber-
ty and republican government.
1t is evident to any who has studied
the results of elections for the last few
years that the people are striving (blindly
perhaps) for relief from the existing bur-
dens laid upon them by excessive taxation
and dishonest monetary legislation. 1t is
well known that the decree of our national
legislature can make money of gold, silver,
copper or paper, without regard to the COM
mercal value of the article used, at least
SO far as the power of our government ex-
tends. 1t is equally we'll known that when
the volume Of money in circulation is large
capital seeks outlet prices are good, it
is easy to pay debts and the people do not
suffer for lack of employment at remunera-
tive wages. 1t is plainly evident that in
creased privileges accorded by legal enact
ment to corporations, affording them more
extravagant profits, government bene-
hciarieS, can bring no relief to the masses
Of the people, but only increases their al
ready intolerabe burdens. While demOne-
tization of silver by the congressional en-
actments of 1873 and 1875 no doubt afforded
great advantages to the banking interests
and bore correspondingly heavy on the debt
or class, and especially affected the debt
paying ability of the United States govern
ment, causing the paying medium to APP
preciate in value, the Sherman law was not
less disastrous as class legislation in the
interest of the owners of silver bearing
mines, Fastening us on toward silver mon
ometalic standard. This effect depended
upon well known laws, not necessary to
repeat, the danger being greatly increased
by the enormous production of silver by our
Western mines, and of course assisted by
our creditors abroad, who most of all de-
sired the appreca ton in value of
curities held by them, and which was as
sured by the scarcity of the now only pay
ing medium-gold. So there seems no way
possible out of the difficulty under either
gold or silver standard.
There is not silver enough coined to tran
sact the business of the country, to say
nothing of the refusal of foreign countries
to receive it at more than it's commercial
value, and thus offering an insurmountable
barrier to commerce abroad and increasing
the distress here which we seek to alleviate.
Little does it matter that tariff duties are
lessened one-third, and that competition
induced thereby cheapenS the necesSaries of
life to our people, while money to buy them
is not paid wages.
Under the present leadership and pre-
vailing policies of the two great political
parties, l no possible way of relief
from this condition. and while, in state
and nation, the dearth of patriotism in our
legislators allows class interests or local
political money considerations to take
the place of craftsmanship, devoted to the
greatest good Of the greatest number of
our people, may expect none. The peo-
pie are not in a mood to tolerate any eX-
periments, wild nor imaginative the
cries. A movement in the direction of
reform, now, to attract the attention and
support of thinking citizens, must embOdy
in plain and precise language, the proposed
REFORM no ambiguity nor equivocal terms
must be inserted.
Then, again, one leading reform should
be given prominence, and thought and
ton concentrated upon it's accomplishment
The currency question, in my opinion,
should be the leading feature of the plat
form declaration. This is the question
towering above all others, and minor ones
may be safely left to the of iron
will and unflinching patriotism, who shall
settle this Alright. No visionary schemes
nor side issues should distract our atten-
ton from the great issue.
Now for the best and nearest road to
success. Adopt platform, short, peo-
pie will read it, without any sub-treasury
scheme, and without female suffrage to di-
vide and weaken our forces Leave these
to be settled afterward.
PLATFORM
l. Economy in state and national ex-
penditures, limiting taxation to the actual
necessities of government.
2. The income tax to be perpetuated.
3. Gold and silver coined on equal terms,
as before the pernicious discriminat ton be-
gan, with paper money issued direct to the
people by the United States, without the
medium of banks, sufficient in amount to
afford $50 per capita to the citizens there
of, including present circulation.
4. All debts, public and private, interest
and principal, shall be payable in money
of the United States, herein defined,
gold, silver or paper money, at the option
of the debtor.
Upon this platform 1 believe all citizens
could unite and work together for the
good of toiling millions, and push it
to happy and glorious termination.
1 have voted Democratic ticket
since 1 first voted for Samuel ]. Tilden in
1876, but, while Democratic leaders, like
German, Hill, Smith and others exhibit
their perfidy in shamelessness to the world
and Cleveland and Carlisle founder in the
quagmire of servilty to the interests of
banking magnates, who already hold this
government by the throat, I think it is
time to reflect whether there is not a
duty and loyalty higher than party, and
that the millions of independents should
rally as never before for the defense of
home and country.
GARRETT MURPHY, NJ. D.
Garden City, Mimi, Jan. 26.
THE TARIFF.
Seth BOttOmley Thinks 1t Has Done