The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-12-17
HEADQUARTERS OF
The Democratic Committee of 96
Carollton Hotel, Parlor


DEAR SIR:-After the Democratic State
Convention of Maryland had met al
Ford's Opera House in July. 1897, and
had not only failed to endorse the Chi
cago platform Of 1896, but had adopted a
financial plank almost identical with the
plank on international bimetallism adopt
ed by the National Convention of the
Republican party in St. Louis in 1896,
and had furthermore failed even to men-
ton the name of the great Democratic
leader, William J. Bryan, number of
citizens of Maryland who believe that the
declarations of the Chicago platform con-
tain authoritatively the principles of the
Democratic party, binding on all Demo-
Gratis, met together from time to time, for
the purpose of devising measures to keep
alive in Maryland the principles oftrue
Democracy as enunciated in said platform.
The result of these meetings was the for
nation of 1.-The Democratic Committee
of o."
The aim of this Committee is not to re-
organize the Democratic party in Mary
land, but to maintain the principles
enunciated in the Chicago platform and
to form rallying point for all Democrats
who believe in said principles.
These principles must enter into and be
paramount in the political contests of
1898 and 1900. They cannot be ignored,
they cannot be evaded. We believe,
moreover, that they must ultimately pre-
vail in directing and controlling the
course of governmental affairs.
We believe that VIM. Jennings Bryan,
who so valiantly led the Democratic hosts
in 1896, is the logical candidate of the
Democratic party for the Presidency in
1900.
We are loyal to Bryan and to the prin-
ciples for which he fought i'll 1896. We
believe with him, that if these principles
were right then, they are right now.
We believe in the free and unlimited
coinage of both gold and silver at the
ratio of I6 to I, and that without waiting
for the aid or consent of any other nation.
We believe in graduated income tax,
so that the burdens of taxation shall be
equitably borne by the rich and the poor.
We oppose protective tariffs which
operate to increase the cost of living to
the many, while the few favored ones are
enriched.
We oppose government by injunction.
We oppose arbitrary and oppressive
interference by the Federal Government
in the internal affairs of the States.
We oppose life tenures in office and the
creation of an Office holding class.
We belive in and support the entire
Chicago platform of 1896. and hold that
the said platform, until modified by a
National Democratic Convention, is bind
ing upon all Democrats, and that no one
can :claim to be a Democrat who does not
stand thereon.
We believe i'll William Jennings Bryan
and pledge him our support for the Pres
idency in 1900.
The Democratic Committee of GO pro-
poses from now on TO the end of the Pres-
dental contest of 1900, TO conduct an
educational campaign.
1t contemplates the lease of suitable
buildings ir which regular meetings may
be held, lectures and debates OH the great
industrial questions of the day be given,
literature distributed; and where every
facility may be afforded the members and
the public to impartially investigate these
questions.
Any male citizen of Maryland over is
years of age, and whose application for
membership is approved by the Executive
Committee, and who believes in the prin-
ciples of the Chicago platform, may be-
come a member.
The Executive Committee is composed
of o6 members, who are elected by the
members of the organization; eight meni-
bers of the Executive Committee are
dropped every month and eight new
members elected, so that this committee
is changed entirely every twelve months.
The cost of membership is one dollar
for admission fee and twenty-five cents
per month dues. = The members meet
every Monday: evening at O'Clock al
Parlor III Carrollton Hotel.
Do YOU believe in the Chicago plat
form? Do youibelieve in William Jen
nings Bryan, and what he stands for! Il
You do send your name in promptly fol
membership.
w. +. BEvERIDGE, Secretary,
II. H. JENNINGS, Chairman,
Lock Box 65I, Baltimore, Md