Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-06-02
DEMOCRATIC STATE PLATFORM.

L ne democracy OF Iowa III STATE COH-
vention assembled hereby reafIlrms it's
allegiance to the time-honored demo-
cratic doctrine of bimetallism, to the use
Of both gold and silver as primary
money and the coinage of both at a va
ito Of 16 to 1. without charge or limit.
1t Is the Judgment of this convention
that this doctrine of the national demo-
cratic party, If fairly and honestly OBJ
served, requires the constant effort or
every local democrat to accomplish The
repeal of all laws heretofore enacted
through the fundamentally of the re-
publican party, which do in letter and
spirit alike discriminate against silver
and In favor of gold, and the substitu-
ton therefor of affirmative legislation
which shall lrestore silver to equal rights
with gold in the minis and coinage or
the country.
1--WE hereby affirm as a deliberate con-
viction of this convention that the act OF
1873. insofar as It demonetlzed silver az
established gold as the single unit or
value, Is q fragrant violation or one or
the most important provisions or the
constitution Of the United states, a VI
olation which every political party
ought to condemn and every good citt-
zen should assist in expupging from the
statutes Of the the republic. We there
fore favor the immediate repeal or all
laws by which silver was demonetlzed
and demands its unqualified restoration
to the right Of free and unlimited coin
age in the minis of the nation as money
of full legal tender and maj redeinp-
ton at the ratio of 16 TO i.
1--WE recognize the fact that upon this
question the country has reached cri-
sis that can no longer be evaded or
postponed. We know that the result or
this conflict must be return TO the
money Of the constitution or the substi-
n
standard Of values, which born OF Brit
h pJSe 81 GFe &sH6n aSu9aaa
by one-half the price Of all the great
staples of industry In behalf OF the
toiling millions of this republic we well
come the conflict and pledge the dem
ocratic party Of Iowa to stand by the
constitution, to defend the right, to beat
back with all It's strength every wrong
full aggression of the money power or
the old and new world alike, and to aid
TO the utmost limits of our ability In fe-
storing to ourselves and our posterity
The sacred heritage of the financial sys-
TEN Oequeathed TO the American people
by the fathers of the republic, ana
which was equally fair and just to all
citizens, and in this effort we cordially
invite the cooperation OF all good cltl-
zeRs without reference to political ami
iations In the past.
1--WE hereby enter our most earnest
protest against any scheme for the re-
tirement Of our non-interest bearing ma
tional paper currency. and the suDstl-
tuition therefor of $500, 000. 900 Of interest
bearing bonds to become an additional
burden upon the producing classes, that
national banks may be supplied with
interest bearing capital on which to
transact their individual business. AND
also protest against the further 1ssu-
ance and sale OF government bonds 10
acquire gold with which TO redeem such
currency, and demand OF the govern
ment that it shall hereafter redeem the
same with the coin of either metal II
may be in possession Of. in strict ac-
cord with both the spirit and the letter
of the law.
1--WE denounce as a transparent fal-
lacy the claim that labor can be bene-
fitted by the maintenance OF single
gold standard as the basis OF our finan-
cial system. The experience OF all ages
and OF every country alike clearly DEM
onstrates that q contracted currency
Invariably cinpels a contraction of bus
mess; the lessening of industrial enter
prises, the enforced idleness OF great
numbers of the working classes; and
nothing Of which the human mind can
conceive is more clearly self-evident
than the naked truth that the wages
of labor must always be- adjusted to
and correspond with the prices OF la.
boris products in the markets.
Earnestly desiring to promote the pest
interests of the laboring people, we
favor the appointment OF cabinet
official to be known as the secretary OF
labor, whose duty 1t shall be in the case
of all tariff protected industries, to in-
vesdgate, ascertain and report to con-
gress what share, II any. of the en-
HANGED price for which protected pro-
ducts are sold in the markets OF this
country Is paid by the employers In
these Industries to their employees. and
to be clothed with further power in all
cases where public interests are In
volved or public peace in endangered,
to inquire into the merits OF the contro-
versies between employers and en-
ployes and recommend the adjustment
thereof upon such terms as to him or ar
bitrators appointed by him shall seem
Just and in case Of the failure OF either
party to abide by the recommendation
made, to report the facts to congress or
state legislature, as the case may re-
quire, with recommendation for addl-
tional legislation. II sucn In MS Judg-
ment be necessary. And In the dis
charge of his several duties TO be clothed
with further power to compel the CIV
ing of testimony under oath by parties
interested or otherwise, and the produc-
ton Of all books and papers which IN
his Judgment are necessary 10 d Luii anu
impartial determination OF the matters
committed to his care.
"The delegates at large end district
delegates appointed by this convention
to represent the state In the national
democratic convention to be held In
Chicago, beginning the 7th day OF July.
1896. are hereby instructed to vote as q
unit as the majority present shall direct
on all questions coming before said ma
tional convention for settlement by
vote Of its delegates. and especially
upon all questions relating to the adop-
tion OF a platform for the party and the
nomination of candidates for president
and vice president, and the delegates
present IN said convention, II less than
the whole number be present and to
which the state is entitled, are hereby
authorized to cast the full vote OF the
state in accord with these instructions.
"Reposing full faith ana confidence In
the democracy patriotism and ability
of Horace Boies, formerly governor OF
the state Of Iowa, we hereby declare II
to be the bounden duty OF every patriot
An Iowa, without regard to former party
affiliations, TO use all honorable means
to secure his nomination at the demo-
cratic national convention to be held
at Chicago, July 7. 1885, for the high
and responsible office OF presiden: OF
these United States, to the end that the
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