The record-union., 1896-06-25
MONEY IN THE PLATFORM.
Reasons Behind the Action of the
Republican Convention.
(From the Oakland ENQUIRER

(fTOIl the Oakland EnQulfer.)
| Democratic newspapers, in seeking
for something to bring discredit upon
the Republican ticket and platform, are
now saying that the sound-money dec
laration was forced upon the Mckinley
managers by ''the money barons." and
that it was the price of their support.
Nothing is too absurd to print Ii par
tisan newspaper is determined to say
something detrimental to an opponent.
During the convention one of the ST.
Louis papers came out with a display
head article announcing that Senator
Foraker of Ohio had compelled McKin-
ley to agree ITO give him every bit of
the patronage for that State-ap alb
surd report, when it is remembered that
Mex inIey has the united, enthusiastic
support of the Ohio Republicans. So
this story that the money barons"
forced d gold standard platform upon
Hanna and Mckinley is repeated with
out amy regard to its inherent absurd
ity. Who was in position to do any
forcing? McKinley's majority in the
convention was large and certain; the
States which were clamoring for gold
were those in New England, New York
and Pennsylvania, which supported
Reed or some candidate other than Nc
Kinley 1t was notorious that Nc
Kinley did not need the votes of these
States to nominate him, and that they
were in no position to force a platform
upon him by threatening to defeat his
nomination.
1t ought to be apparent to the dullest
comprehension that what McKinley's
managers, during the last two weeks
have been looking for, is not votes to
nominate him, but votes ito elect him.
They knew that he could not hope to
carry the Democratic States of the
South, and THAT several free coinage
States in the West were doubtful. Nc
Einley'S only hope lay in carrying the
New England, Middle and North Mis-
sissippi Valley States tc begin with, and
the platform makers naturally paid at
tention to the condition of public opin-
ion in those States. They had no reason
to regard money barons,'' for such do
not cast votes. They inquired what
the voters wanted, and finding it was
sound money, decided to give it to them
in full measure. PROFESSIONALLY the de-
termined stand taken by the Eastern
States largely controlled the platform;
but that stand was the result of pres
sure exerted by business men of all
classes, by every impo1 tant organ of |
public opinion and by citizens of al
most all ranks and classes The |
money baron" is a figment of the ex- !
cited imagination, or, more probably |
Of a mendacious tongue. The people |
Of this country are divided in opinion !
upon the silver question, and what /
they want and ought to have is a i
chance to settle it by their votes. The |
Democrats and Populists will take one
side and the Republicans have taken
the other. We are 10 have what voters
should always desire, because it works
to their interest, viz. a square issue
In the campaign which is coming there
ought to be a full and free discussion
Of this issue upon It's merits, not per-
sonal abuse or dispersion of motives.
There is no reason to charge that the
Democrats will be controlled by cranks
or repudiators, nor the Republicans by
money barons." Such accusations as
these are not the weapons of fair con-
trOversy, but of kind of vituperation
which either proceeds from, or is ad-
dressed to. small intaiIectS