The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-07-09

chief share of the public attention the
views of the majority differ fundament-
ally from what the minority regard as
vital Democratic doctrine ms to demand
a distinct statement of what they hold
to MS the only true and just expression
of Democratic faith upon this paramount
issue. as follows, which is offered as
substitute for the financial plank in the
majority report: We declare our belief
that the experiment on the part Of the
United States alone for free silver coin
are and change Of the existing standard
of value independently of the action of
other great nations would not only inn
pcril our finances but retard and effcctu-
nlly prevent the establishment of inter
nutioual bimctalism. to which efforts of
the government should be steadily di-
rccted. 1t would place this country ut
once upon Il silver basis, impair its con
tracts. disturb business, demolish the
purchasing power of the wages of labor
and innict irreparablc evils upon our
nations commerce and industry.
Until international cooperation among
the leading nations for free coinage of
silver can be secured, we favor a rigid
maintenance of the existing gold stand
ard MS essential to the preservation of
our national credit. The redemption of
our public pledges and the keeping invi-
olate of our country's honor. We insist
that all our silver and paper currency
shall be kept absolutely at parity with
gold. The Democratic party is a party
of hard money and is opposed to legal
tender paper money as part of our per-
mancnt financial system, and we there
fore favor the gradual retirement and
cancellation of all United States notes
and treasury notes, under such legisla-
tive provisions as will prevent under
contraction. We demand that the ma
tional credit shall be resolutely main
tanned at all times and under all circum-
stances. The minority also feel that the
report of the majority is defective in fail
ing to make any recognition of the hon
csty. economic courage and fidelity of
the present Democratic administration,
and they therefore offer the following
declaration as an amendment to the ma
jority report:
We commend the honesty, economic
courage and fidelity of the present adj
ministration. Signed by David b. Hill
of New York, VIM. f. Villas of Wiscon-
sin, George Gray of Delaware, John
Prcntiss Poe of Maryland, Irving w.
Drew of New Hampshire; G. o. Hol-
man of Maine, L. J. Farrell of Vermont,
I.inde Harrison of Connecticut, David
f. Baker of Rhode Island, Thomas A.
c. Weadock of Michigan, James f..
O'Brien of Minnesota. John Il. Russell
of Massachusetts Robert f.. White of
Pennsylvania, VIM. Il. Steele of South
Dakota. Allan A. McDermott of New
Jersey; Chas. Rogers of Alaska.
Senator Hill also offered the following
amendments to the platform and moved
their adoption:
But it should be carefully provided by
law at the same time that any change
in the monetary standard should not ap-
ply to existing contracts.
Our advocacy of the Independent free
coinage of silver being based on the be-
lief that such coinage will affect and
maintain a parity between gold and sill
yer ut the ratio of 16 to 1, we declare
as pledge of our sincerity that if such
free coinage shall fail to effect such par
ity in one year from its enactment by
law such coinage shall thereupon be sus-
pended.
(SigneD MINORITY REPORT.