The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-12

Chicago Platform Heindorsed, Free silver
Emphas red, but the Riot Plank :nored'

ROANOKE. VA. August n.-Speclal-
The platform is as follows:
The Democratic party Of Virginia In
convention assembled would remind the
people that the election I'm November next
is OF vast and far-roaching importance.
IT involves the choice by the people at
large, Of their chief executive officers for
a term Of four years. viz: Governor
MISUNDERSTANDING. and Attorney-Gene-
raj. II involves the choice by the people
I'm their legislative and senatorial dis
tricts Of another House of Delegates for
a term Of two years. and Of twenty-one
Senators for term Of four years. The
General Assembly. which, with the ex-
cepti0n Of nineteen Senator's will then
be charged in time with electing County
Judges OF the State for a term Of six
years. and important administrative az
fairs Of the State and a Senator OF the
United States. so that the result Of the
election will deeply affect the interest Of
the people in their domestic and federal
concerns.
The Democratic party appeals 10 the
intelligence and patriotism Of the people
and vouches its record during successive
administration Of the State government
has given 10 title 10 their continued con-
ldonce and support.
THE EDUCATION PLANK
Following the wisdom Of the founder of
Democracy IL has cherished and built
up n system Of free schools which IS
now the pride and ornament Of the state
In 1853 the amount appropriated 70 them
was the sum Of 100000 II IS now con-
siderably over $500 900. The Female Nor
NAL School. Of Farmville. the Polytechnic
Institute. Of Blacksburg. the Virginia
rnFH s.F Tfr-
ginia. and the Hampton Institute are all
monuments Of the fostering care OF De-
mOcracy 10 the cause OF public education.
We pledge to that cause our loyal and
generous support until every child in the
Commonwealth shall be assured an OPP
portunity Of education.
With meagre resources the state has
done the best IL could for disabled sol
diers. and the widows OF soldiers who lost
their lives in the war. and we commend
them TO the most generous and favorable
consideration that ii is possible for the
Legislature to extend.
ELEEMOSYNARY INSTITUTIONS.
The institutions Of the State for the in
sane and deaf dumb and blind, show the
progress Of Democratic care, and they
shall ever be the object OF our most ten
der generous consideration.
The finances OF the State have been
handled by the Democratic party with
economy and skill. 1t consumated a set
Element Of the public debt after the sub
iect had been long a source Of turmoil
and trouble and without increasing the
rate of taxation We applaud the Cen
eral Assembly for its enactments whereby
. public expenses were substantially ro-
duced and commend 10 them such careful
revision OF the laws. as Will bring about
further reductions. The calling Of con-
stitutonal convention having been defeat
ed at the polls, this convention commends
to the General Assembly the consideration
and submission TO the people Of such con-
stitutional amendments as may conduce
10 the utmost economy OF The government
consistent with efficiency
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
Where good crops test the good hus-
bandry Of our tillers of the SOIL the de-
preston Of prices for agricultural pro-
duce, and the general depression Of COM
mercc mining and manufacturing. have
pressed upon the people the fact that no
general prosperity can exist when agri-
culture the basis Of all prosperity and
industry Is Frustrated. The Democratic
party Of Virginia has established De-
partment of Agriculture and Will always
DO its utmost 10 promote agriculture as
vOcations. but it well knows that a federal
system Of legislation which contracts the
currency and increases taxation must in
evitably result in the destruction OF agri-
cultural prosperity and its dependent in
dustries. OF commerce. mining and man.
ufactures, which organized trust ana COM
! bines to sustain the high prices OF their
wares, while they feed upon the ruinouS
prices Of the agricultural products until
all at last are involved in common
ruin.
The conditions that now surround us
cannot be removed by State legislation,
they can only be removed by the restora-
ton Of the national Democracy 10 power.
The existing Republican administration
has devised no measure Of relief. but an
increase Of tariff taxation. and 10 cover
its inability 10 legisate has sent rowing
commission 10 Europe to ascertain the VIII
Of its monarches. and has applied the uni
versal gag law to the House Of Represen-
tativcs.
CHICAGO PLATFORM REAFFlRMED'
We reafirm the platform of the Nation
al Democratic convention adopted al Chl-
cago in July. 1896. and upon which VIII
liam Jennings Bryan was nominated Tor
the Presidency of the United states ana
we extend our congratulations TO our no
BILE champion upon the able and briliiaht
manner IN which he discharged the trust
reDosed in him. The fact that ne re-
ceived more votes than any previous Dem
ocratic candidate for the Presidency ana
more than any candidate Of any party
saving alone his successful opponent Is
evidence that Democratic principles are
still dear TO vast mass Of the American
people. and that Democracy IS living Az
the hope Of an early and complete III
umDh.
We especially endorse the doctrines OF
the national Democratic party upon the
four great issues which are before me
people Of this country. viz. The tarin' the
income tax and regulating of trusts ana
the currency.
Tariff duty should be lavied for revenue
purposes and only for so much revenue
as may be needed for an economic admin
lstration OF the government. the great
! surplus in the Treasury In its nature be-
ing useless absorption OF the pubic
wealth and constant temptation 10 OK
| travagance.
We denounce the tariff bill recently pass
ed by the Republican Congress as dictated
by trusts and monopolies and in the IN
terest OF the classes that live upon the
favoritism OF the government and not