The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1896-09-24
Democratic Platform.

The following is a synopsis Of the
platform adopted by the national con-
vention at Chicago July 9th 1896. The
plank referring. to free coinage of silver
is given in full:
Recognizing that the money question is para
mount to all others at this time. WE invite atten-
ton to the fact that the federal constitution
names silver and gold together as the money
metal OF the United States. We declare that
the decentralization of silver in 1873 has resulted
In the appreciation of gold and a corresponding
fall i'll the price OF com nOdities produced by the
people. We are unalterably opposed to a sim
gle gold standard. Gold monometalism is a
British policy; it is not only un-Alnerican but
anti-Amarican.
We demand the free and unlimited coinage of
both gold and silver at the present legal ratio of
Is to l without waiting for the aid or consent of
any other nation. We demand that the stan
dard silver dollar shall be a full legal tender,
equally with gold, tor all debts, public and pri-
waite, and we favor such legislation as will pre-
vent the decentralization of any kind OF legal
tender money by private contract.
We are opposed to the policy and practice of
-surrendering to the holders of the obligations of
the United States the option reserved by law to
the government OF redeemlng such obligations
in either silver coin or gold coin.
We are opposed to the issuing of interest bear
ing bonds of the United States in time OF peace.
We demand that the power to issue notes to
circulate as money be taken from the. national
c"Ahs c"N ehOu VA PNPS. '"iSJ ohthA W. l&ooCu
directly by the treasury department.
We hold that tariff duties should be Levied for
purposes of revenue and that taxation should be
limited by the needs OF the government honestly
and economically administered. We %denOunce
as disturbing to business the republican threat
to restore the Mckinley law. which has been
elections, and which. enacted under the false
plea of protection to home industry. proved a
prolific breeder Of trusts and mOn0pOlieS, enrich
ed the few at the expense OF many. restricted
trade and deprived the producers of the great
American staples of access to their natural mar
kets. Until the money question is settled we are
opposed to any agitation for further change in
our tariff laws. except such as are necessary to
make the deficit in revenue caused by the ad-
verse decision of the Supreme Court on the i'll
come tax. There would be no deficit In the
revenue but for the annulment by the Supreme
Court OF a law passed by the democratic con-
greSs in strict Pursuance of the uniform de-
ciSion of that court for nearly one hundred
years. We hold that the most efficient way of
protecting American Labor is to prevent the i'm
portatfonFof foreign panper labor to compete
with it in our home market.
We denounce the profiigate waste of the
money wrung from the people by oppressive
taxation and the lavish appropriations OF recent
republican. congresses, which have kept taxes
high while the labor that pays them is ullempiOy-
ed and the products of the peoples toll are de-
pressedin price till they no longer repay the
cost OF production.
We denounce the arbitrary interference by
federal authorities in local affairs as a violation
OF the constitution OF the United States and a
crime against free Institutions
Recognizing the just claims of deserving union
soldiers. we heartily endorse the rule OF COM
missioner Murphy that no names shall be arbi-
trarily dropped frem the pension roll, and the
fact or enlistment and service should be deemed
conclusive evidence against disease and diSab il
iy before enlistment.
We extend our sympathy to the people of Cuba
in their heroic struggle for liberty and indepen-
dence.
We are opposed to life tenure in the public
service. We favor appointments based upon
merits, fixed term of office, and such an admin
%iStration of the civil service laws as will afford
equal opportunities to all citizens of ascertained
fitness.
We declare it to be the unwritten law of this
one hundred years and sanctioned by the ex-
ample OF the greatest and wisest of those who
founded and have maintained our government,
that 10 man should be eligible Tor a third term
OF the presidential Office.