New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-23
THE OHIO MONEY PLANK.
SOUND REPUBLICAN DOCTRINE
MKINLEY'S FRIENDS IN LINE WITH THE
PARTY'S VIEWS ON GOLD AND SILVER.

MKINLEY'S FRIENDS IN LINE WITH THE
PARTY'S VIEWS ON GOLD AND SILVER.
THE CHARGE THAT THE RECENT CONVENTION
"sTRADDIED" SHOWN TO BE FALsE-As
PLAIN A STATEMENT AS ENGLISH
WORDS CAN MAKE.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: There has been disposition on the part
Of some Republicans and of certain Republican
journals to criticise the plank on the money
question adopted in their platform by the recent
State Convention of the Ohio Republicans.
We are told that that particular utterance
YVES supervised by Major Mckinley, or at least
was submitted to him and met with his ap-
prevail That statement is usually followed With
the announcement that the platform Is "strad-
die" on the money question and that Major
Mckinley cannot safely be trusted upon that
subject. Some people assert that Mr.. Morton
is the only candidate yet mentioned who Is, and
always has been, perfectly sound In his views
uron the all-important question OF the cur
rency.
Having given a large amount Of time to the
study Of the money question during the last
six years l propose In this article to give the
readers Of The Tribune my opinion as to the
soundness Of that plank in the Ohio platform.
Here is the plank which has occasoned more
or less comment especially here In the city OF
New-York:
We contend for honest money: for currency OF
gold silver and paper with when 10 oernent
and as untarnished Its honor: and to that emo we
favor bimetallsm and demand the use OF potn eo,a
and silver as standard money either In accordance
with a ratio to be fixed by an INTERNAL ohal az se
ment. If that can be obtained or under suon re- re-
opI. :
legislation as will secure the maintenance OF the
PARTIES of value of the two metals so that ths Rn,
chasing and debtpaying power or the uolia,;
whether of silver, gold or paper, snail DC at d"
times equal.
II that Is not in every clause good Kepuphcah
doctrine and sound to the core upon this I'M
portant question, then I have failed utterly 10
read the records of my party and also to I'M
derstand the sentiments Of men who are ad-
mitted by ali to be good authority upon the
subject.
Let us examine it clause by clause and see
in what If anything. it is weak or OF double
meaning. Read: I'VE contend for honest
money" Is there anything wrong about that?
Next. For a currency of gold. silver and paper
with which to measure our exchanges that shall
be as sound as the Government and as un-
furnished as its honor" IL there man or
sense in the entire United States who does not
indorse that demand? I will guarantee that no
such person Is In good standing In the Repub-
lican party.
Now for the only remaining clause And TO
that end we favor bimetallism and demand
the use OF both gold and silver as etanaard
money either in accordance with ratio 70 De
fixed by an international agreement, II that
can be obtained, or under such restrictions ana
xuch provisions to be determined by legislation
as will secure the maintenance OF the parities
OF value Of the two metals, 80 that the pur-
chasing and debt-paying power Of the dollar.
whether Of edlver. gold or paper. shall be AZ a"
times equal" If there is anything wrong or
ambiguous II must be found In that clause
THE REPUBLICAN ATTITUDE CLEAR.
Let us examine it, Is there a man SO ignorant
about the records Of the Republican party as
to doubt that that party has been In favor OF
en- attempt 10 arrange the question o. ratio
by an international agreement? That has been
the position of the Republican party since
the question became active one That party
contended from the outect that the old ratio
Of l6 to l could no longer be safely adopted by
this or any other Nation single handed and
alone Can there be any doubt 20 the posi-
ton occupied by the party on that point? /
well remember sitting in the House of Repre-
sentatives In 1879 when the discussion OF the
silver question had been recently begun. The
majority Of the Republicans were agreed upon
that point. On May &c. 1879. Levi p Morton,
at that time q member of Congress from the
city Of New-York. in a speech upon the coin
age of silver used these words:
The only safe way. in my opinion. is 10 stop tho
ing Commercial nations of the world: I'VE will not
attempt 10 help you out Of your troubles until you
agree with US to silver as a measure OF value.
We are ready TO enter into such a mutual compact
with you will have the effect OF restoring silver
TO It's old steadness Of value so that IT may again
be a measure Of other values" Let US not attempt
TO force the issue Of silver beyond the amount
European nations will Join with In making silver
currency equivalent in value to gold.
On June 10. 1879. Mr.. Morton addressed the
House again upon this subject He said:
Mr. Speaker. think our only safe way Ia, instead
OF increasing the coinage OF silver TO stop alto
gether and await the result Of the negotiations with
European nations. for which We have made an APP
preparation Let us secure such joint action with
other nations will restore silver to Its old stead-
ness Of value and thus provide market through 3sn
of a bimetac currency. whenever such joint action
can be secured and dollars worth % of yes Is
tain double standard except upon basis Of abso;
lutte equality for the cheaper poorer money VII
can. in my opinion. only maintain double standard
by Joint action with European nations.
With these Views Of Mr.. Morton the Repub-
Mcan party were In accord Such has been tho
doctrine OF our party from that time down to
the present hour.
The Republican National Convention which
met in Chicago juno 6. 1884. adopted the follow
ing declaration:
We have always recommended the best money
known to the civilized world. and we urge that
efforts should be made to unite all commercial
nations In the establishment Of an international
standard. which shall fix for all the relative value
of gold and silver
Again. In 1885, the Republican National Con-
vention resolved that
Tho Republican party Is in favor of the Of
both gold and silver money, and condemns the
policy Of the Democratic Administration In Its
efforts to demonetize silver
In 1892 the National Convention adopted the
following money plank:
The American people, from tradition and interest
favor bimetallism, and the Republican party de-
mands the use of both gold and silver as standard
money, with such restrictions and under such pro.