Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-22

The Democratic party, as heretofore.
will advocate the free coinage Of silver.
and il win attack the Republican party
for its complete Abandonment OF silver
and its effort to destroy all our stock
OF money except gold, and substitute
national bank paper. The Republicans In
1896 professed a qualified friendship for
the white metal. In 1900 there can be no
such profession. They will have to defend
the Gage BILL which not only sweeps
away silver and greenbacks, but en-
thrones the national banks and enor-
mously Increases the public debt.
THE GAGE BILL
Mr.. Moore declared that the Gage bill
embodes the Republican Idea. SO far as
I know, said he, but one prominent Re
publican in Congress opposed it-Mr.
walker. of Massachusetts-an the other
day he was beaten, his own party having
become Indifferent or hostile to him.
With free coinage and the Gage bill, or
some very similar measure. as the COM
peting propositions there can be no doubt
OF the position of those who voted the
Democratic ticket in 1896, and there
ought TO be no doubt that most Of the
gold Democrats of that year Will also
assist in condemning the Republican
scheme. If there ever was measure full
of evil and danger, it is the bill that
bears the name of the present Secretary
of the Treasury, and is championed by
the Republican party.
LOW TAXES.
Continuing, Mr.. Moore said: 1.-THE DEM
ocratic party has always stood for low
taxes. and certainly that issue grows In
Importance. considering the character
OF the tariff and war-revenue statutes,
under which we now live, and the threat
of unlimited expenditure TO maintain a
large army and govern remote dependen-
cies. We have heard much of blllion-dol-
lar congresses, but If the party in power
is not checked that figure will seem
modest. compared with the appropria-
tons OF future congresses. In 1900 we VIII
appeal 20 the country against overtaxation
and I'm favor Of equality OF taxation one
feature Of the Democratic contention Will
be that If the organic law forblds an in
come-tax, that law should be changed
so as TO make possible here the imposi-
ton of a tax that the practice OF nearly
every other nation sanctions as founded
on common sense and common justice"
IMPERIALISM.
Speaking Of Imperialism, Mr.. Moore
said 81 hope our party in Congress Will
be a unit against the acquisition OF the
Philippines II may be conceded that for
our own protection we must rule Cuba
and Porto Rico. In order to extend our
trade i'm the far East, a movement that
many think would greatly benefit the
Southern States-it may be best TO dig
the Nicaraguan canal and have coaling
and naval stations i'm the Pacific. But
trade expansion is one thing, and terri
toriaI expanslon-a policy OF land-grab-
bling and colonzng-is quite another
thing. Most OF the Democrats / have
talked with are as much opposed to TAX
ing the Philippines as was President Nc
Kinley before his sudden and unexplain-
ed change of front In my judgment no.
thing more indefensble has been pro-
posed In our history than to assume the
responsibility of owning and governing "A
group OF very distant islands, more than
100 in number. spread over an immense
area and inhabited by many million peO-
pie of mixed races. and largely I'm con-
dition OF primitive barbarism. II this is
the logical and necessary consequence
of Admiral Dewey having steamed into
Manila harbor one fine morning and
knocked 10 pieces the Spanish ships, his
victory was worse than a disaster and
we may well pray TO be delivered from
another like IT,"
THE SENATORSHIP.
Asked whether he still entertained the
views he held at the Roanoke. convention.
Mr. Moore replied Yes. I am strongly
convinced that senators should be elect
ed by the people. and that, while this is
now impossible, the nomination OF party
candidates for the Senate should be made.
not by legislative caucus but IN a popu-
lar way-either by n primary or a State
convention called for that purpose. /
think l can show that Mr.. Jefferson dis
legislative elections. The latest
public utterance OF Mr. Bryan is In the
same direction. At the last session OF
Congress nearly every Democrat In the
House voted for bill TO amend the Con-
and provide Cor elections by
the people. II 1t is thoroughly Demo-
cratic TO support such an amendment
can II be anything but Democratic to sup
port the plan OF popular nominations?
II read with interest" continued Mr..
Moore. "Mr. j. G. Parker's able letter in
the Dispatch few weeks ago. urging
that a State convention be held next sum-
mer 10 nominate senatorial candidate.
His conclusion Is In this vigorous lam
guage:
"'No candidate for the Senate ought 10 |
oppose such plan. IL he is afraid to 20 |
before the people and make his light for |
control In a State convention. then he is |
not worthy to 10 10 the General Assem- |
III. l.