The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-15
WEDNESDAY. APRIL IL
RxpunrIcAxs SPEAK OUT.

ingt0p can make theinsctssr easS - ~
their duty in the state convention II they
want TO be n linz with the party through
out the nation. The free silverites In this
state are making no more noise than the
yordanites did prior 10 the last city cleo
zion, and the character Of the men run
ming politics in the Democratic camp just
now IL sufficient indication Of the COM
piexion OF the free silver forces in this
state. c. III. Warner. a prominent Demo-
crat of Eastern Washington. lives In a
part Of the state where for time free
siivertsm. Populism and pauperism domi-
mated, but the return Of better times has
dore away with the pauperism. and the
other "isms" are only used by Popo-Dem.
confusionists for political purposes. Even
Mr. Warner admits that there Is large
number Of Democrats In his county who
are opposed to the free coinage of silver,
and he admits that, although free silver
man himself, ne prefers that the country
shall decide for n gold standard II It will
decide at once. rather than let the matter
run on for another four years In its pres
ent uncertain and demoralizing shape"
AR Warner has hit the nail on the head;
Il Ia the uncertainty which is dong most
OF the mischief. and the sooner Repub-
llcans. the political majority In this state.
declare pnaualifiedly against the free and
unlimited coinage Of silver at the ratio of
ls to by this country alone. the sooner
confidence will be restored and capital
come out from the retreats into which 1t
has been scared.
When the campaign began the politi-
clans who were looking for success first
and principle afterwards were uncertain
as to the public temper. and their earlier
differences show their timidity. Unfor-
tunateiy for Mr.. Mckinley. Ohio was the
first state to hold It's convention. and al
though Ohio Republicans knew what
would be best. they had not the courage
TO say 80. Like n toddling babe. uncertain
Of Its footing. they held on to the platform
of 1899. while tentatively reaching forth
10 what they felt must be the platform OF
1896. Thus was the first step taken:
I'VE contend for honest money: for a
currency OF gold. silver and paper with
which TO measure our exchanges that
shall be as sound as the government and
a. untarnished a. Its honor: and to that
end we favor bi-metaiiism, and demand
the use Of both gold and silver as standard
money either In accordance with ratio
Go be fixed by an International agreement.
n that can be obtained. or under such re-
strictlons and such provisions. 10 DO de-
termined by legislation. as win secure the
maintenance OF the PARTIES OF values of
49,.
and debt-paying power OF the dollar.
whether Of silver. gold or paper. shall be
at all times equal
The Ohio Republicans must have been
astounded ut the roar OF condemnation
which SWEPT over the country from Maine
90 Washington and from Wisconsin TO
Texas Among the very few newspapers
which have attempted to defend the Ohio
platform is the New York Tribune, which
jumped in little too prccipitately. no
doubt prejudlced somewhat by the report
that Mckinley drafted the plank himself
A few days later the dissatisfaction be-
came evident when the Republicans of
Wisconsin met. but even they had no,
realized the strength OF the anti-free silver
scntimen, in the country. There was
determination. however. in their express
sion. which contrasted very fsvorabiy
with the sood-natured wahbIe OF Ohio:
1.-THE Republicans OF Wisconsin are un-
yielding In their demand for honest
money. We are unsltcrably opposed to
any financial policy which will give this
country dehascd or deprecated cur
rency. We favor the use Of silver as cur
reney. but 90 the extent oaiy and under
such restrictions that its parity with gold
can be maintained"
The applause which greeted this error,
OF the child to stand alone so encouraged
The Republicans Of Minnesota that within
q week they we're jumping on the plat
form OF iSes with both feet. They declared
point blank that they were opposed under
present conditions to the free and unlim-
tied coinage OF silver. They said
I'VE favor the use OF beth gold and sill
Yer 90 the extent 20 which they can be
maintained IN circulation at parity IN pur-
chasing and deet-naytnE power; We are
earnestly opposed. under the presen, re-
s,riettons. 10 the free and unlimited coin
sSe Of silver. for the manifest reason that
IL would destroy such parity. enormously
contract the volume Of currency Nv fore
ing gold oat % circulation and Immediate
" place us on a silver basis Believing
that u Il . seif-evsdent fact that the effect
90 the International decentralization Of
SILVER can he overcome only be in;.raa-
tionai characterization OF that metal IN.
Republican party OF Minnesota mos,
heartily tsvors international confer
snce with foreign powers for that pur-
pose"
ny this time Republicans had begun TO
understand each other. 50 sha, "a hen the
New Workers met On the same aay they
had no hesitation IN putting themselves
fairly and squarely on record:
The agitation for free coinage % silver
al the ratio II IL 30 seriously distures all
Industrial interests and calls for a clear
statement ~ the Republican pariy's asti-
tede upon this question. TO the end that
TIRE trade % this country al home ar,l
serosa may again Re placed upcn a sound
and stable founaAtten- We recognise IN
the move nsnt TOR the frc~ coinage 81 sill
Yer an attempt 20 degrade the iSng-e~,ss-