Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-09
TEXT OF THE PLATFORM
To BE Presented To-Day-oppositi"n
to Nationn: Bank Currency.

To BE Presented To-Day-opposii'""
to Nationni BnnI. Currency.
CHICAGO. July s-The following is the
platform as finally agreed upon by the
Committee on Resolutions, to be sub
mitted 10 the convention when the re-
port is called for:
I'VE. the Democrats of the United
States, I'm national convention assembled
do reaffirm our allegiance 10 those great
essential principles Of justice and liberty
upon which our institutions are iouhueu'
and which the Democratic party mas
advocated from JeffersOn's time 10 our
own-fresdom OF speech. freedom Of the
press freedom of conscience, the preser-
walton of personal rights, the equality or
all citizens before the Law and the faith
ful observance of constitutional limita-
tions. During all these years the Demo-
cratic party has resisted the tendency
OF selfish interests toward the centraiiZa-
ton Of governmental power. and stohdly
maintained the integrity OF the dual
rig, of government established by the
fOu ~ ers Of this republic OF republics.
Under its guidance and teaching. the
great principle OF local self-goYernment
has found its best expression In the main
tenance of the rights of the States, and
III us dsEti llpi VI AA' ANNNF+iNS ~ NN-
filming the General Government TO the eX-
ercise OF the powers granted by the
Constitution Of the United States.
Recognizing that the money question
Is paramount to all others at this time,
we invite attention 20 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 Constitution made the silver dollar
the monetary unit and admitted gold
TO free coinage at ratio based upon the
silver dollar unit.
DEMONSTRATION ACT.
eve declare that the act of 1873 de-
monetizlng silver without the knowledge
or approval Of the American people has
resulted in the appreciation of gold and a
corresponding fall In the prices Of COM
modties produced by the people, heavy
increase in the burden OF taxation, and or
all debts. public and private; the enrich
ment Of the mOney-lendng class at home
and abroad the prostration of industry,
and the impoverishment Of the poor.
I'VE are unalterably opposed 10 mono
metallism, which has locked fast the
prosperity Of an Industrious people in the
paralysis Of hard times. Gold monometal-
lism is British policy, and It's adoption
has brought other nations into financial
servitude to London. II is not only un-
American, but ant-Amercan, and 1t can
be fastened upon the United States only
by the sitting of that spirit and love OF
liberty which proclaimed our political in
I'm 1916 and won 1t in the war
OF the Revolution.
FREE COINAGE AT Is TO |.
I'VE demand the free and unlimited
coinage of both gold and silver at the
present legal ratio Of 10 10 l, without walt
ing for the aid or consent Of any other
nation We demand that the standard sill
yer dollar shall be a full legal tender,
equally with gold for all debts, public
and private. and We favor such legislation
as will prevent for the future the de-
OF any kind OF legal-tender
money by private contract
I'VE are opposed to the policy and prac-
tice of surrendering TO the holders of the
obligations of the United States the option
reserved by the government or redeeming
such obligations I'm either silver coin or
gold coin
1--WE are opposed TO the issuing OF in
terest-bearing bonds of the United states
in time of peace. and condemn the trat-
ficking with banking syndicates, which IN
exchange for bonds and at an enormous
profit to themselves. supply the Federal
Urea sury with gold TO maintain the poIcy
Of gold mOnometallism.
AGAINST NATIONAL-BANK NOTES. !
Congress alone has the power 10 coin
and issue money. and President Jackson
declared that this power could not be
DELEGATED to corporations or individuals. I
we demand that the power 10 issue notes
TO circulate as money be taken from the |
national banks, and that all paper money |
shall be issued directly by the Treasury |
and be redeemable In coin |
and receivable for all debts, public and !
private.
THE TARIFF
I'VE hold that tariff duties should be /
levied for purposes Of revenue. such du-
ties 10 be 30 adjusted as 10 operate /
equally throughout the country. and not 1
discriminate between class or section, |
and that taxation should be limited by the |
reeds OF the government. honestly and |
administered
I'VE denounce, as disturbing to business.
The Republican threat 10 restore the Nc
I<inley law, which has twice been con-
iemned by the people in national cleo
lions. and which. enacted under the false
Plea OF protection 10 home industries,
proved a prolific breeder OF trusts and
nonopolies, enriched the few at the eN-
Dense of the many, restricted trade. ana
lepfived the producers OF the great
AMERICAN staples Of access TO their ma
ural markets.
INCOME-TAX.
Until the money question Is settled
ge are opposed 10 any agitation Tor Iur-
her changes In our tariff laws. except
mch as ere necessary 10 meet the deficit
n revenue caused by the adverse decision
n the Supreme Court on the income-tax.
aut for this decision by the Supreme
,ourt there would be no deficit in the
.evenue under the law passed by Demo-
ratio Congress In strict pursuance OF the
inform decisions Of that court for nearly