Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-26
TWO FINANCIAL PLANKS
Not So Much Difference Between Those
of Ohio and New York.
Neither Declares Against Free Coin
age-Thc Probable Line Of Fight
Mt St. Louis.

1t is the opinion in conservative republ:-
can circles that there is not the difference
between the financial plank of the Ohio plat
form and that Of the New York platform
which hasty comparison of the two de-
Iiy erances would indicate. Both make refer
ence to an international agreement as to
free coinage. The New Workers no more
than the buckeyes declare against free
coinage The Ohio platform ia the more
frie ndly in tone to silver, and in that, the
Mckinley men believe, is the better of the
two, and the more representative of the
party's past promises and performances. 1t
is likewise. they believe, the more likely
to appeal to popular sentiment at st. Louis.
They would not today, they declare, change
word Of their platform. If the Morton
people are well satisfied with their plat
fern, very well. 1t fits New York banker,
they concede, in the form Of its expression
better than it would any other asprant for
the st. Louis nomination.
The Line of Fight.
But whatever the difference between the
two deliverances may be, great or small it
probably marks, it is thought. the line upon
which one phase of the fight at st. Louis
will be waged. And that line is what are
the intentions of the party with regard to
an international agreement? Is the prestige
Of this government, if the republicans win
at the polls in November, to be used to try
and bring about international agree
ment? Shall an honest and earnest eYor:
be made to that end? If SO, ii may not be
so very difficult to get the western repub-
licans to discuss the subject and abide by
the decision. 1t has been part'of their COM
plant that the offices of this government
have never been used with sufficient force
or persiStency to advance the interests of
silver abroad. Or. will there be a continue
ton of what the silver men characterize as
subject of free coinage? Shall it be con-
s.dered sufficient still to plead that because
there is no International agreement moth
ing can be done for silver?
To Tackle the Question ut st. Louis.
So far as expressions now go, there is
every reason to believe that the st. Louis
convention will be called upon to tackle
this question in its entirety and treat 1t
specifically. 1t is regarded as being, in the
last analysis, the whole silver question
from the republican point of view. The de-
mand for free coinage at l6 TO l. as an act
by this government Independent Of all 9TH
er governments will come from very
small minority of the delegates at st.
Louis. But the complaint that the financial
system of this government is out of health
ard needs attention, and the recommended
tion that part of the remedy to be ap-
piled larger use of silver prevail will
ccme from many sources outside of the sill
:fe southern states and the great north
west will unite on that lne and SO uniting,
must, it is believed, make the question of
an international agreement one of COM
manding Importance.
Two Definitions.
How do you define a gold platform, and
a bimetsllic PLATFORM" asked a represen-
tative of The Star today Of an eminent re-
publican likely to sit as delegate in the
St. Louis cinvention.
"A gold PLATFORM he replied. would be
cne reciting that gold is, and ought to con-
tiEue, the sole standard of value, and that
any legislation calculated to change this
would be prejudic.al to the credit of the
world. A bimetallic platform would be one
reciting that the proper standard is the
double standard, and that silver having
heen deprived of its full function as money
must by union of its friends everywhere
be restored to its place"
will either the St Louis or the Chicago
convention be likely to adopt a gold plat
form you define it?''
Most emphatically, no. I'd stake my
bot