The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-20
The Voice of Iowa,

In view Of the show Of confidence
whic hthe silver Democrats make Of be-
ing able to carry Iowa for Bryan 1t is
interesting to read in detail the pro-
ceed!nss of last weeks state convention
Of Iowa Republicans so far as they re-
late to the silver issue. The convention
was held last Wednesday in Des Moines
and was attended by the most promin-
ent leaders Of the party in the state.
including Senators Allison and Gear,
and Representatives Henderson. Hep
burn, Curtis, Updegran, Lacey, Dolli-
Yer and Hull The platform was large
ly the joint work of these leaders, and
it's financial plank is understood to re-
fleet the sentiments of Senator Allison
in particular. 1t is as follows:
In the interest Of our export trade, for
the furtherance Of the policy of reciproc-
ity, and for the promotion of our com
merce, as we'll as for the benefit of our
silver producers, we pledge suppor, OF the
Iowa representatives in congress to the
promotion of an international agreement
to establish the joint standard UNIVERSAL
ly: and from the same considerations to
oppose the proposition to carry the United
States to silver monometallism. We are
opposed to the change to single silver
standard because it will decrease ana
not increase the supply of money in the
country; because, instead of restoring con-
fidence, ii will destroy credit instead
of inspiring enterprise II will spreal
alarm; instead Of aiding the debtor it will
involve him in bankruptcy; instead of
furnishing employment 10 labor it will
make more uncertain and unremunerative
that which it has. and instead of bene-
fitting the producer and farmer It will IN
jure them. and finally because it would do
infinite injustice and involve our country
in Reputation and dishonor. We de-
nounce as false the statement Of the
Democratic party that We have contracted
or that our policy will contract the vol
ume of our currency; on the contrary. We
assert that the principle We advocate Is
the only principle that will give to the
country the money. stable in its purchas-
ing power and equal In amount, whicA the
prosperity Of the people demands. The
Republican party, under its policy, aa2.::,s
the people OF an ample currency, ccrn-
posed of gold, silver and paper, TO one
kind preferable to another; none of it
subject I'm the hands of the people
to variation OF value, but every dollar as
good as gold. We stand upon the record
which the Republican party has made.
We recall the prophecies of our antagon-
lists in Iowa in 1873 that specie payments
would ruin our state. and we point to the
period of never-to-be equalled prosperity
which ensued from 1880 10 1892, with every
dollar of our currency kept at the gold
standard, without the sale of q bond or u
WHISPER against our credit.
This was followed by a tariff plank
that also deserves to be quoted:
We reaffirm our faith i'm the doctrine Of
protection to American labor, and the
policy which Is part of 1t, the promotion
of our foreign trade by reciprocal agree
ments. Under this consistent and prac-
teal policy the development of our lim-
itiess resources will be resumed enter
prise will spring into action at million
opportunities, capital will 20 out seeking
for the wage-earner. and when the table
Of the workingman Is again covered with
plenty the American farmer will know
good times once more. We hold that the
prices of our farm products can be re-
stored only by the recovery OF the mar
kets to which we had access four years
ago, and through the return to our home
consumers of the buying power which was
theirs four years ago. The Iowa farmer
needs no other conditions to assure his
prosperity than those which maintained
the level of his prices. increased the value
Of his farm, and reduced the cost of lis
purchases during the four splendid years
of President Harrison's administration. by
the restoration of these conditions. v
maintaining the stability of our money,
and not by debasing its value. the Repup-
lican party promises him relief.
The principal speaker before the con-