The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-09-14
WI. SHEEHAN'S VIEW
Ex-Lieutenant Governor Of New York
Opposes the Chicago Platform. .
THAT s,-CENT DOLLAR IDEA
He Says the Controlling Spirit of
that Convention Was Republi-
can v. ). Senators-Radlcal-
Ism Dominated Its Course.

New York. Sept. BIN reply to
recent letter Of inquiry from Joseph
b. Mayer of Buffalo as to the attitude
OF ex-Lieutcnant Governor William i.
Sheehan, In the present campaign, the
governor makes his position pam IN
the following interesting statement;
The proceedings OF the recent Chi
cago convention were unparalleled In
democratic history. Radicalism and
not patriotism dominated its course.
The guiding. and In a large measure,
the controlling spirits OF that body
were republican United States sena-
tors, men whose votes made IL posi-
BILE to enter upon the statutes OF the
country the Objectionable and disas-
trous Mckinley law. When before
were rock-ribbed republican protec-
tionists given In democratic conVen-
ton seats Of honor and permitted to
dictate and shape the policy or our
party? The patriotic advice OF men
who had grown gray In democratic
services were spurned and the judg-
ment OF these new found apostles OF
undemocratic creed was enthusiastic
ally accepted.
"A platform was adopted under the
guise Of democracy, from which all
thoughtful democrats should recoil
There never has been a moment since
its adoption that / could support it,
except by a loss of my self-respect
What is this platform? There Is not
a line in II that is democratic that Is
not good; there is not a word In II
that Is bad, and therefore undemo-
cratic, that has not been stolen or
taken from the populist PLATFORM
Base as republicanism Is, subversive
as II he's generally been OF the best
interests OF the country, II Is Infinite
ly preferable to populism. which Is
next of kin to socialism. We should
examine our past platforms In connec-
tion with the teachings of the founders
and the statesmen of our party to as
certain what is the test OF party faith
Democratic principles took root with
the birth of the republic: they are as
sound and as lofty to-day as they were
when first expounded by Jefferson.
All democrats should give their hearty
support to candidates who stand upon
n platform which reafflrms and up
holds these principles.
when was IL ever n tenet of demo-
cracy that by the fiat Of government
SO cents worth Of silver should be made
equal to 100 cents worth OF gold In
payment OF public and private debts?
What democratic convention has failed
In recent years to justly condemn re-
publican paternalism? Where is there
a more wicked form of paternalism
than for the government to stamp for
the benefit OF the mine owner SO cents
worth Of silver bullion as 81 In coin?
Where is the democracy that allows
the silver OF the world TO be coined at
our mints free Of charge at the ratio
far beyond its intrinsic or commercial
value and compels our citizens to ac-
cept this false and dishonest coin at
its face value In extingulshment OF
their debts and in payment for their
labor? The advocates of this platform
hazard everything on the single prop
osition that the enactment of law for
the free coinage of silver at the ratio
Of l6 to 1. without the aid or assist
ance of other nations. will bring gold
and silver TO a parity. We consider
our silver dollar to-day as good as
gold because u has back Of II the cred
II and faith Of the nation, pledged to
maintain It's parity with gold. Under
free coinage this credit and faith will
be withdrawn from the new coin. The
government will have no interest in or
responsibility for 1t. These men pro
pose. however that the power of con-
gress be increased to compel our citi-
zens to accept in payment Of their
debts a dollar that is intrinsically
worth hut 5s cents without being able
To compel corresponding relief to the
American debtors. when foreign cred
ltors demand OF them payment In gold.
No law has yet been able to make all
men honest; but no law should COM
pei them TO be dishonest.
"But more sacred 10 every citizen
than the honor and business interests
Of individuals Is the honor OF the ma
ton. II the United States Is a debtor
by virtue OF the bonds il has issued. II
for these bonds gold was paid. justice,
morals, and national honor. all cry out
for redemption, principal and interest.
in the same coin. But IL Is claimed
that on the face of these bonds the
government Is given the legal right 10
redeem them In coin, and therefore,
may redeem them In silver coin. A
question OF morals should always rise
superior 10 a legal question. For the
$3.50. 600, 900 OF government bonds now
outstanding we have received gold
coin, and unless the intelligence Of
this nation be blunted and its patriotic
impulse paralyzed. these obligations
will be redeemed In similar coin.
have heard II said that no attempt
would be made to affect the existing
obligations II the work Of the Chicago
convention be ratified at the polls The
proposition not TO repudlate these OBJ
legations was overwhelmingly defeated
by the convention after Bryan had
concluded his speech. which resulted in
his nomination. Under free coina ge,
gold would be exported or boarded and
silver would become the money Of the
country. With silver or fiat paper
money as our only means Of revenue.
how can these millions Of United States
bonds he redeemed In gold?
with a legitimate proposition 10 In
crease the number Of United States
supreme court Judges. or 10 abolish.
within constitutional lines. life tenure
in Office. | may have no controversy;
nor do I object 10 n proper criticism
Of judges or public officials. But when
an open. bold attempt is made to In
crease the number OF judges with the
avoWed purpose u securing a decision
on any question IN a predetermined
plan. patriotic and intelligent men may