The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1896-10-30

tanned from Jefferson's time to our own
freedom of speech, freedom of the press,
freedom Of conscience. the reservation
of personal rights, the equality of all
citizens before the law, and the faithful
observance of constitutional limitations
Recognizing that the money question
is paramount to all others at this time,
we invite attention to the fact that the
federal constitution names silver and
gold together as the money metals of the
United States, and that the first coinage
law passed by congress under the consti-
tuition made the silver dollar the unit of
value and admitted gold to free coinage,
at ratio measured by the ailver dollar
unit.
We declare that the act of 1873 de-
monetizing silver without the knowledge
or approval of the American people has
resulted in the appreciation of gold and
corresponding fall in the prices Of
commodities produced by the people; a
heavy increase in the burden OF taxation,
and of all debts, public and private; the
enrichment of the money-lending classes
at home and abroad; paralysis of indus
tries and impoverishment of the people.
We are unalterably opposed to the sim
gle gold standard, which has locked fast
the prosperity Of an industrious people
in the paralysis Of hard times. Gold
monometallism is British policy,
founded upon British greed for gain and
power, and its general adoption has
brought other nations into financial ser,
vitude to London. 1t is not only un.
American, but anti American, and it can
be fastened upon the United States only
| by the sitting Of that indomitable spirit
and love OF liberty which proclaimed our
political independence in 1776 and won
| it in the war of the Revolution.
We demand the immediate restoration
of the free and unlimited coinage of gold
and silver at the present legal ratio OF l6
to l, without waiting for the aid or con.
sent of any other nation. We demand
that the standard silver dollar shall be a
full legal tender, equally with gold, for
all debts, public and private, and we
favor such Legislation as will prevent the
demonstration of any kind of legal
tender money by private contract.
We are opposed to the policy and practice
ofsurrendering to holders of obligations ol
the United states any option reserved by
law to the government of redeeming such
| obligations in either silver coin or gold
| coin.
We are opposed to the issuing o.
interest bearing bonds of the United
States in time OF peace, and condemn
trafficing with banking syndicates which
in exchange for bonds OF an enormous
profit to themselves, supply the fedora
treasury with gold to maintain policy
OF gold monometallism.
Congress alone has power to coin ant
issue money and President Jackson
declared that this power could not bt
delegated to corporations or individuals
We therefore demand that the powe
to issue notes be taken from the banks
and that all paper shall be issued direct
ly by the treasury department. w.
i hold that tariff duties should be levieC
solely for the purpose of revenue ans
that taxation should be limited By
] the needs OF the government, honestly
and economically administered. W.
denounce as disturbing to business
the republican threat to restore the Nc
Kinley law, which has twice been con
demned by the people in nations
elections, and which, enacted under tht
false plea OF protection to home industry
proved q prolific breeder Of trusts ant
monopolies, enriching the few at the ex
pense of the many, restricted trade snt
deprived the producers of the great Amer
lean staples OF access to their natura
markets. Until the money question
is settled, we are opposed to any agitation
for further changes in our tariff laws ex
cept such as are necessary to make III,
deficit in revenue, caused by the ad
verse decision Of the supreme cour
as to the income tax.
There would have been no deficit ii
the federal revenue during the last tw,
years but for the annulment by thl
supreme court of the income tax law
placed upon the statute hooks by demo
cratic congress. The obstruction to al
income tax, which the supreme court dis
covered in the constitution after it haC
laid hidden for hundred years, must b
removed, to the end that accumulatet
wealth may be made to bear its just shar
of the burden of the government. We
therefore, favor an amendment to tn,
federal constitution that will permit th,
levy Of an income tax. We hold that th
efficient way of protecting American
labor is to prevent the importation o
foreign pauper labor to compete with th,
home market, and that the value of TIL
home market to our American farmer
and artisans is greatly reduced BY
vicious monetary system which depresseI
the prices OF their product below the cos
OF production, and thus deprives them o
the means of satisfying their needs. W.
denounce the profigate waste of th,
money wrung from the people by oppres
siye taxation and lavish appropriation
OF recent republican congresses, whicl
have kept taxes high, while the lahore
that pays them is unemployed, and pro
ducts of the people are depressed in pric'
until they no longer repay the cost 0
production. We demand return to tha
simplicity aud economy which best befit
a Democratic government, and reduc
ton in the number Of useless offices, tn
salaries Of which drain the substance @
the people Confding in the justice Q
our cause aud the necessity of its success
at the polls, We submit the foregoin
declaration of principles and purposes &
the considerate judgment Of the American
people. We invite the support OF al
citizens who approve them and who dc
sire 10 have them made effective lhrou1l
legislation for the relief of the peopl
and the restoration Of the country
prosperity.