Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-24
THE SlLvERITE PLATFORM.
The Draft Proposed by Senator Jones To Be
Adopted.

st. Louis July 23.--The meeting OF
the committee on resolutions of the
silver party" last night, was quite in
teresting. AS had been expected, Sen
ator Jones Of Nevada, was made per
niancnt chairman Of the committee
and J J. Miller of Kansas, secretary
General Warner of Ohio. suggested
that a subcommittee be appointed to
take into their possession the various
propositions made by the members 90
the committee regarding the platform
and put them into shape for the con
sideration of the fun committee. To-
day. General Warner read the follow
ing draft of a proposition which Sena-
tor Jones said had been prepared by
himself and several other members III
he party. and was believed by them
TO be about what the convention
should adopt. Its text follows:
The paramount issue at this time
in the United States is undisputably
the money question. II is between the
gold standard-goId bonds and bank
currency on the one side and the BIT
metallic standard--no bonds and gov
eminent currency-on the other on
this issue we declare ourselves to be- III
favor Of a dlstinctively American
financial system We are unaiterably
opposed 10 the single gold standard.
and demand the immediate return To-
the constitutional standard OF gold and
silver. by the restoration by this
government Independently OF any for
eiasn power of the unrestricted coinage
vt both gold and silver into standard
money, at the ratio Of rs to l. and
upon terms OF exact equality as they
existed prior to 1877. the silver coin to
be a full legal tender equally with gold
for all debt and dues. public and 1,ri-
vate We hold that the power to con-
troll and regulate a paper currency is
inseparable from the power 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.
We are unalteTably opposed to the
issue by the United States of interest
bearing bonds in time of peace. and
we denounce as a blunder worse than
crime, the present treasury policy.
concurred in by a Republican House
of plunging the country into debt by
hundreds of millions in the vain at
tempt to maintain the gold standard
by borrowing gold and we demand
the payment Of ali coin obligations of
the United States, as provided by eX-
listing laws. in either gold or silver
coin, at the option Of the government.
ard not at the option Of the creditor.
That over and above all other ques-
lions of policy. we favor restor-
ing 10 the people of the United States
the me-honored money of the consti-
tuition, gold and silver not one. but
both, the money of Washington and
Hamilton and jefferson and Monroe
and Jackson and Lincoln, to the end
that the American people may receive
honest pay for an honest product; that
the American debtor pays his just
obligations in an honest standard. and
not in standard that has appreciated
100 per cent. above all the great sta
pies of our country. and to that end.
further that silver standard countries
may be deprived of the unjust advan-
t&ge they now enjoy in the difference
in exchange between gold and silver"
an advantage which tariff legislation
alone cannot overcome"
The declarations, the general eX-
planned were adopted at the hi-lnetal
lie conference held in Washington.
Ian % and %, and the document
which ne presented went on to state
that the main purpose of calling the
silver convention was to make sure
tnat the determination reached at
Washington would be carried out. and
the Democratic convention at Chica go
having as he said. practically adontcd
all of these declarations in its nlank
on the monetary question. therefore
no s,,ocractod H.. AT; .. !.