Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-02-23
DISCUSSES
The Political Situation
in Texas.
JUDGE JOHN II. REAGAN ISSUES A
POLITICAL Address no
THE PUBLIC.
TO VOTERS OF TEXAS
A CALM DIsct ssIoN FROM AN w
INFLUENCED POSITION.
The Coming Campaign VIII lie one
OF Great Moment to the Peo-
pie OF Texas.
TO VOTERS OF TEXAS
A CALM DISCUSSION FROM AN W.
INFLUENCED POSITION.

Austin. Tex. Feb. 22.-(speciaD-
Judge John H. Reagan today submitted
for publication a political address, say
ing that he IL In situation to offer
the suggestions which follow for the
promotion OF the public welfare, I'M
Influenced by any further political as
pirations. and alone desirluus or con-
tributiuE whatever he may to the good
Of people who have 10 long and often
conferred on him public honors. The
address is a most forclble one. and Is
as follows;
ITO the Public. The voters Of Texas
have 10 decide for themselves this
y'Ir questions OF very great Import
ance, which may seriously AFFECT their
welfare FOR years TO come. They can
not protect themselves by non-actiun.
They can only do this by the intelli-
gent discharge of their duties as elu-
zrus each one of whom is possessed
u one unit Of the sovereign political
power IA this country and liz charged
with the dutira and responsibilities OF
the proper exercise OF that power
Political parties are unavoidable In
n flee country like ours, as the ncces-
sarN means Of adopting and enforcing
principles which viii secure the rights,
promote the welfare und protect the
lihrrtica or the people,
There are now I'm this state three
political parties, with different sets
~ rhnciplHs and different public
policies, seeking the votes and sup
of al
Firut-Thc Democratic party which
represents. among other things n
strict construction Of the federal con-
stitutinn, the preservation Of the
rights OF the states, and the In
volatility ~ the liberty Of the cltl-
tarim for revenue only; with equal
rights for all exclusive privileges TO
none; II represents opposition to
munonolics, legal restriction upon the
powers Of corporate wealth, ANA fuvors
gold and silver us the money OF the
constitution, and IA the standard and
rcdceminE money OF this country, with
equal privileges In the mlnts and
equal legal tender qualities supple.
mented by paper convertible into these
metals.
"SCoond -. The Republican party
represents, among other things, lat-
tudlnsrlan construction OF the federal
constitution, the Capitalization Of pu-
litich power IN tho federal govern
ment weakening the power and
authority OF tho states. and endanger-
ing the rights and liberties OF the ciu-
zens; It representa- corporate interests
as against Individual rights. 1t repre-
septa n high protective tariff for the
benefit OF the few at the expense ~
the many: II represents n single gold
standard NJ money, dear money, cheap
labor and property, and the doubling
tho n a 4rnnRrfNv ~
pay liabilities created before silver
was demonctized enriching boudhold-
erH ana brokers thereby and impovcr-
ishlng the industrial classes; and It's
legislation is a history OF legislation
| for the cluHac und against the masses.
and 1t relies on the Influence OF money
| and corporations &C. obtain and retain
| political power
"The differences between the prin-
\ rlplcs and policies Of tho Democratic
mud Republican parties are so broad
| and 80 dlNtinctly marked, and "a well
understood, that It is not deemed Nee
ossary to discuss them In this paper,
"rhe silver Democrats nr this state
demand that silver shall he restored u
| Its position rs part 81 the Constltu-
tlonal money OF the United States
| coined on the Same terms and made a
lawful tender for all debts, tho sumt
as gold rhls was the traditional
| policy % the United States until re-
Gently, II has always been the policy
OF the Democratic party, us cmpha.
! sized by the debates and votes In con.
Eress from 1876 To this time Becnuss
! prcaldcpt Cleveland and some othei
| Democrats have edoptcd the Repuhll,
can policy the Popullsts claim that
theirR ~ the only party which 90 ir
favor " the free coinage OF silver al
the ratio OF Va to I, and that tn,
Democratic party borrowed it's Views
on this subject from them. The con,
grcssiunal records show that the Demo,
Gratis, as represented In congress. hay,
advocated this policy for twenty years
and for many years before tho Pom,
list party had an existence. And II
now has many tlmca more advocate,
Of this policy In Its ranks than there
are members OF tho populist party. or
this account n no other those who
hope for the restoration Of silver 10 III
former position had better unite witt
the free silver Democrats,
Az between the silver and the rolt
Democrats thla much r. TO he said
The policy OF the gold standard mer
or necessity contracts the volume OF
circulating money, reduces the value Of
property nnd labor, 40 that as to Tho
many .millona OF dollars OF bonded In.
dchtcdnena she Federal and state goy.
ernments and corporations contracted
before silver was demonctlgcd, Il now
requires about twice as much property
anc labor to pay them MS was neccE.
rary when those debts were contracted
And this policy OF contraction in
creoseH the value Of bonds and Other
paper securities for deot, and in tho
same measure Increases the dimcuIty
OF paying all debts. 1t uniustly change
the law OF tho contracts under which
such debts were created II parnlyge,
industry. arrests enterprise. and has
produced more bankruptcies thsn wa,
ever known, before IN this country, and
has deprived tens OF Thousands IN
employment by which TO live ana pnn.
port their famllloa. and filled tht
country with tramps and bergars.
The policy OF tho free silver Dnmo.
rrnta n TO restore silver 10 tho nincs
y occupied as part OF the constltu,
uonal standard money Of the coun.
try, and n legal tender for dNhtg 10,
the frst eighty years VI the eNiatcncs
- our Government Thi.
would add scmethluk 20 the vnium,
q our metallic money, would nearly
dnuhle the basis for banking ana ~.
change. II VIC are TO retain a system