Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-09
The New Party.

The American Timetable party inc
new political organization which was
brought into the world in Washington
city at a bimetallic conference held i'll
that city from February 22d to Mafch
5th, 1895 has begun 10 send out ooCu-
ments for the instruction ana lniorlha-
tion of the voters. We received yester-
dav A number OF those documents. The
platrorm. which we have heretofore given
70 our readers IS a declaration Of princi-
ples which will not damage the Republi-
can party to any great extent, but might
iniure the Democratic party very seri-
ously: because a majority Of the kepuDh-
cans are open enemies Of the free com
age of silver. and a majority OF the
Democrats are probably in favor OF 1t.
We do not say that majority OF the
Democrats are going over TO the new
bimetalic party. but merely that they
would like 10 see the free coinage OF
silver established as the policy OF this
country. But they do not wish TO sell
their Inheritance for a mess Of pottage;
and this is what the Democrats would
do If they were to desert their lifelong
friends Of the Democratic party 10 form
new friendships friendships which would
not outlast the next presidential cam
pajen. What sort Of contest would re-
suit II the Democrats of|Nirginia should
take up with the new party? The con-
test would be substantially between d
divided Democratic party and a united
lit a
not think that the voters Of Virginia are
prepared We do not think that the
new party will develop much strength
in this State. on the contrary, we ex-
pect il to die u natural death at an early
day. and leave it to the two old parties
70 fight out one more presidential bat
tie on the cid issues which have so long
divided the voters into two great parties.
The platform Of the new American b.
metallic party is so short that we quote
1t in fun
The issus is between the gold standard.
gold bonds, ana bank currency on the
one side. and the bimetallic standard, no
bonds. and government currency on the
other.
|. on this issue we declare ourselves
10 be unalierdblY opposed 10 the single
gold standard. and demand the immedi-
ale return to the constitutional standard
of gold ana silver. hv The restoration by
this government. independently of any
foreign power. OF the unrestricted coin
age Of both gold and silver into standard
money, at the ratio of l6 to !, and upon
terms Of exact equality; the silver coin
10 be a fuil legal tender. equally with
gold f0r al debts ana dues, public and
private.
?. We hold that the power to control
and regulate paper currency is insepa-
ratte from the rover to coin money;
and hence that all currency intended TO
circulate as money should be issued
and its volume controlled by the General
Government only, and should be legal
tender.
3. We are unalterably opposed TO the
issue by the United States of interest
bearing bonds In time Of peace, and de-
mand the payment Of all coin obligations
of the United States, as provided by
existing laws. in either gold or silver
coin, at the option of the government.
| and not at the option Of the creditor.
Substantially, the above platform is
merely Il declaration in favor of free
coinage. But we 90 not think that the
people Of Virginia are ready to act on
this subject Independently Of any for
eign power" 1t is for the leaders or
the Democratic party TO ponder this
matter and act as the circumstances Of
the case may require.