Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-01
WHICH PLANxs ARE CoRREcTs
Difference Of Opinion Regarding the
Democratic Platform.


Journal says:
The Republic. Of this city, has obtained
from Colonel Edward d. Dickinson, OIL
cial stenographcr Of the National Demo-
cratic Convention. certified copy OF the
platform adopted at Chicago which so
far departs from the published declara-
ton OF principles as to involve con-
troversy Of fdr-reaching Importance.
The platform, as sent out by the press
associations and published In the news
papers, contained no reference to quail
Tying clause IN the life-tenure plank, ana
the absence Of such clause left 1t 10 be
inferred that the Democratic party OPP
posed life tenure in Office as general
proposition, the scope Of which should
embrace judges of the Supreme Court as
well as other Federal employees.
The official stenographer now comes
forward. however and asserts that a
qualifying clause excepting these con-
stitutlonal appointees from the operations
Of the life tenure plank was added by
Senator Jones, Of Arkansas, and that II
Is a part Of the record OF the convention.
Moreover Colonel Dickinson, declares
that Senator HIS amendment to the
currency plank, which provides for the
integrity Of existing contracts, and which
il has been generally believed was re-
iected, was adopted by the convention
on a viva voce vote. Colonel Dickinson,
in response to kilograms from the New
York correspondent OF the Republic,
questioning the accuracy Of his report,
insists that the Hill amendment was
adopted and that II is embodied IN the
official report
HILLS AMENDMENT LOST.
The Republic has polled the officers OF
the convention on the question and has
obtained statements as well from VIII
lam +. Harrity, Senator Hin, and promi-
nent members in the New York delega-
iion Colonel Dickinson Is sustained by
Senator Jones and others in regard to the
qualifying clause In the life-tenure plank.
but there is a general agreement that
the Hill amendment TO the currency plank
was defeated and should have no place
in the official record.
In the copy Of the National Democratic
platform furnished by the press associa-
lions the first plank following the pre-
amble Is the one on civil and religious
liberty. and then follows the one on the
money question. The fourth and fifth
paragraphs Of the financial plank read as
follows:
We demand the free and unlimited coin
age Of both silver and gold at the present
lesal ratio OF 16 TO / without waiting for
the aid or consent Of any other nation.
We demand that the standard silver dol
lar shall be a fun legal tender equally
with gold for all debts, public and pri-
vate. and we favor such legislation as will
prevent for the future the decentralization
OF any kind OF legal-tender money by prl-
vate contract
We are opposed to the policy and prac-
tice Of surrendering to the holders OF
the obligations OF the United States the
option reserved by law TO the government
of redeeming such obligations in either
silver or gold coin.
THE HILL AMENDMENT
Senator Hill offered an amendment TO
be added 10 the first OF the two para
graphs quoted above. This amendment
which Omcial-Stenographer Dickinson de-
clares was adopted by the convention
reads as follows:
But II should be carefully provided by
law at the same time that any change
I'm the monetary standard should not APP
ply to existing contracts.
After the financial plank came those
dealing with bond issues bank notes, the
tariff. income-tax, foreign pauper labor
arbitration, transportation, economy
Federal interference, equal justice, Pacinc
railways. Union soldiers, admission OF
states. the Monroe doctrine, and CUBA.
Then came the plank regarding tenure OF
Office. OF which, according to the pup
nshed reports, the first paragraph read as
follows:
TENURE OF OFFICE.-We arc OPP
nosed TO life-tenure in the public service
we favor appointments based upon
merit. fixed terms Of office, ana sucn an
administration Of the Civil Service law
as viii afford equal opportunities 10 All
citizens Of ascertained fitness.
CHANGES IN THE PLANK.
Oficial-Stenographe Dickinson says the
first sentence of this paragraph shouid
really read as follows:
We are opposed to life-tenure in the
public service, except as provided IN the
Constitution.
Regarding these two important changes
the official stenographer telegraphed as
follows to the Republic:
Wolfboro. n. H., July Goth.
Immediately after the speeches on plat
form. Hnrs substitute minority report
was lost on a call of roll by 5d 70 81.
Senator Kin asked for a viva-voce vote
on the financial amendment, and on the
amendment limiting coinage one year.
The financial amendment was adopted
that limiting coinage was lost. The
qualification to tenure-of-ofiice plank was
not an amendment, but was handed me
by Senator Jones, as were the other plat
form papers from which he read.
EDWARD 3. DICKINSON.