Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-30
yyFDNFsDAY JUNE 80, 1897.
THE ROANOKE PLATFORM.

b. number of newspaper correspond
ents writing from Ohio as to politics
IN that state give as their opinion that
the only plank in the Chicago platform
that viii be adopted '1otidem verbs is
that referring to the free coinage OF
silver.
This may or may not prove true. No
doubt there are in Ohio two opinions
on the subject. We know that some
people think Mr. Bryan would have made
n better run than he did had the Chi
cago platform been confined 10 the free
silver issue alone. Per contra, there are
those who think some Of the other planks
added great strength TO our national
platform However. the Ohoans may be
safely trusted 10 deal with this ques-
ton as BELTS the situation in that state.
But while the free-silver plank may be
made most conspicuous In their platform.
we doubt If the convention will "go back
upon any part Of the Chicago platform.
AT the last meeting OF our State Com
mittee this subject was informally dis
cussed by members-not in the commit
tee-roon. but outside OF 1t. Among gen.
tlemen whose influence has never yet
failed TO prevail at Democratic conven-
tons II was argued that an express
declaration in favor of silver and two
or three of the other great features Of
the Chicago platform would be all
sufficient. Since then we have not heard
the subject discussed.
The uppermost thought of the public
mind in Virginia is as to free silver. No
voice viii be raised in the Roanoke con-
vention against the adoption Of that
doctrine.
1t may be. however, thai the Commit
tee on Resolutions win report specifically
in favor Of three or four OF the great
features Of the national platform and
generalize as to the others. There are
precedents for this; there are also pre-
cedents in favor of adopting the national
platform az a whole. 1t is only ques-
ton as to what planks the convention
thinks should be promulgated as the per-
manent policy of the party. Some of the
issues are permanent; others are tran
sient--it is for the convention to say If
1t will separate them.
II the free silver plank is to be
adopted-and 1t Is to be-the gold Demo-
Gratis would almost as lief have the
whole Chicago platform adopted. So
this is not question between us and
the gold Democrats. but between those
members of our party who will be
charged with representative duties at the
Ohio and Virginia Democratic State con-
ventions and their constituents. But we
cannot fail 10 note the fact that some
Virginia counties have already instructed
their delegates TO favor the endorsement
and rcafilrmation of 1.-The Chicago plat
form" We take IL. however. that they
would be well satisfied with any resolu-
lions that Senator Daniel would favor.
though at the time OF the State Com
mittee's last meeting he was quoted as
saying il would not be necessary for the
Roanoke convention TO endorse and re-
affirm the Chicago platform as an en-
tirety.
We repeat, II is foreorda,red that tn,
free silver doctrine viii pc agreed > al
Roanoke. IL there Is any discussion
there OF national issues. II VIII be lpoI
other planks of the Chicago platform
not upon that of the free coinage Of
silver at l6 to l.
As 10 State matters we may expect
the Roanoke platform TO deal chiefly
with Virgnia's finances and the question
OF constitutional amendments. But no
thing more than general declarations
ought TO be expected 1t is the sense Of
the people and OF the party that pre-
parations should be made TO meet oul
increased interest charge without rails
ing taxes. and that immediate con
sideratlon should be given the subjec
OF constitutional amendments. 1t ma,
/. be presumed. therefore, that the Roanok,
convention VIII give expression to tn,
popular sentiment upon these subjects.
Whether amendments would better b
prepared by committee OF the TIVE
houses or by a commission. the Leglsla
ture should decide for Itself. The tax
payers. however, do not care how tn,
amendments are formulated II the worl
be well and quickly done. SO as TO lesser
the expenses that now fan upon tn
county and State governments.
Two amendments that Richmepd is In