The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-06-24

~
fixed charges, which were not lowered.
In this way the market for those things
which the mechanic and laborer made
was destroyed and the factories had to
shut down.
But by thus taking out of the COM
mercial world one-baIf of its blood, In
dustry and trade have been paralyzed
and idlenesS and misery have been
spread over the civilized world. With
the richest natural resources, with a
most Industrious, frugal and enterpris-
ing population, and with the most
abundant harvests our people are in
distress. Three per cent of our popula-
ton own over one-half the wealth Of
this republic, and almost the only men
who prosper are the bond sharks and
the men who fatten off the misery Of
their country. These are conditions
under which Republican institutions
cannot long endure. We believe In the
greatness and patriotism of the Amer
lean people, in their energy, industry
and thrift, and that such a people, with
the unlimited resources of our land are
strong enough to sustain monetary
system without the aid of foreign gov
ernments. We believe that the benefit of
the independence which we gained
hundred years ago-the war for which
was initiated upon matter OF tribute
should not be lost by yielding vassal-
age to a monetary system, preferred py
other governments.
To believe that the bimetallism which
has done the work Of the world since
the dawn of civilization and which was
made the basis of monetary system by
Hamilton and Jefferson Is absolutely
necessary at present to the prosperity
of mankind, that its establishment
will check the present business paral-
ysis, will give to the country safe ana
honest currency Of adequate volume,
will restore prices Of agricultural COM
modities, will encourage enterprise and
give our people steady and prohtaple
employment. Having learned through
bitter experience that Wall street has
controlled the financial legislation at
Washington, and knowing that every
effort will be made to defeat the will OF
the people we deem 1t proper to be ex-
plicit in our declarations.
Actuated by the foregoing principles
and desiring the prosperity of the peo-
pie we demand the immediate restora-
ton of the free and unlimited coinage
of both gold and silver as standard
money at the rate Of 16 ounces of silver
to one ounce of gold of equal fineness
with full legal tender power to each
metal without waiting for or depending
delegates from this convention to the
national Democratic convention are In
structed to use all honorable means to
secure a similar declaration by said
national convention and to support
only such men for the presidency as
are in full and pronounced sympathy
with these principles.
We are also opposed to the contrac-
tion of the currency by the retirement
of any part of the outstanding treas
ury notes.
We favor a tariff for revenue only
and declare that the government should
to defray the expenses of the govern
ment honestly and economically ad-
miniStered.
We are unalterably opposed to re-
vivaI Of any such monstrosity in legis-
lation as that act of congress which
was known as the Mckinley law which
for the fiscal year ending June 20, 1893,
produced a deficit In the United States
treasury of $70,000,000 under which
wages were greatly lowered and which
gave proprietors monopoly, while it
permitted them to fill their shops with
the cheapest kind Of cheap labor
brought from all parts Of the earth.
We demand the abolition Of govern
ment by injunction, that new form of
oppression and weapon of the money
power, never before heard Of among
men, whereby a federal judge at once
became legislator, judge and executor.
1t is absolutely destructive Of Repub-
lican institutions, it robs the American
citizen Of the right Of trial by jury and
Of all the protection granted by the
constitution.
The arbitrary interference on the
part of the federal, government in local
affairs by ignoring lawful authorities is
not only violation Of the constitution
of the United States, but a crime
against free government and is des
tructive Of the very foundation of De-
mocratic and Republican institutions.
We cordially indorse the administra
tion of Gov. Altgeld.
The delegates from this convention to
the national Democratic convention are
instructed to support only such men
for the presidency as are in full and
pronounced sympathy with the dec
larations of this platform and the del
egates to the national convention are
instructed to vote upon all matters in
Guiding nominations for candidates as
unit.
A minority report was offered oppos-
ing the plank which instructed the
delegates at large to vote as unit, but
it was laid on the table and the plat
form as read was adopted by viva
voce vote.
The ticket was then named as given
above and the convention adjourned
TXiolxad IN heath,