The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-10

speech OF Hon. T. S. Henderson OF Milan
county, who is candidate for congress
from the Seventh Texas district:
Fellow citizens-This is neither the time
ror the place for ME to undertake DIS
cussion OF such differences of opinion as
may exist between myself and my honor
able opponent, Mr.. R. L. Henry Later on
In the canvass. when his official duties
will admit of his return to Texas. shall
offer him an opportunity 10 make with me
Joint canvass of the district when the
issues between us may be fairly discussed
urd considered. desire, on this occasion,
TO present q statement OF nay cwn position
on public questions and policies. as basis
for my canvass 81 the district as can
didate for the democratic nomination Tor
congress. While my opinions upon all
public questions are we'll known TO you,
yet am gratihed at the opportunity OF
making my Arst speech OF the campaign
10 ny old neighhors and friends.
There are many questions. both new and
old on which a candidate for congress
ought to have we'll defined convictions and
to my mind the FIRST in Importance. from
q democratic standpoint is The Chicago
platform OF 1895
l regard the Chicago platform adopted
by the democracy in 1886 as the final and
authoritative expression Of democratic doc
trine on al subjects covered by its terms,
and 10 that platform give my unqu2li-
Ted support. l believe ts principles TO
be the foundation stones upoa which rests
TINS government o.. freemen under the con-
stltution Of the United states and as the
Declaration OF Independence had its per-
eonlacat!on in Thomas JEFFERSON. so this
new charter OF liberty IS typihed In its
matches champion, William Jennings
Bryaa. II is no dspa-agemeH. to other
declarations Ia say that the srea, and
paramount issue IN tnat platform and
around which all ether Issues are crystal
Azed Is me declaration IN favor OF the
free 2r5 Unlimited coinage q silver at
:atio OF - 70 with gol3 by this govern
1ea-, regardless Of ths action u any other
goyerrne-t whatsoever The first 5oin-
age 2c- sve- adopted by the congress OF
tie United States was proposed and pelned
by Thomas jefferson the founder OF de-
nlncracy, and was based upon the doc
trne Of bimetallism and provided for the
free and unlimited coinage of both gold
and silver at a fixed legal ratio. This
doctrine OF bimetallism continued to be
the established policy OF the government
until its repeal by the republican party In
1873. Not only is the cause of silver the
traditional and approved policy OF the
democratic party and endeared 10 the
hearts o. the people, but, notwithstanding
its temporary defeat IN 1886 IT Glands to-
dental campaign as the supreme ISSUE lie
fore the American people need not
retterate the familiar argulnents in favor
OF silver which are just as sound today as
they were In 1886, but recent Developments
both IN commerce and N the 5im nls,ra-
ton o. the fiscal affairs Of the govern
ment furnish ebundan evidence, not only
that !. IS wight api safe for this govern
rnent 70 undertake alone ne free and I'M
limited coinage OF silver. but that II Is the
safest aGd wses; thing 1T can 10 /. The
commerce OF the United States has fl-
oatatripped all competitors and we stand
today the first in commerce OF all the ma
lions OF the glohc. our enormous pro-
duction of The essential raw materials re-
quired to maintain the lilo Of the world
has made our rade necessary to The eN-
istence Of civilization These two facts
invest MS with a power In dealing with
commerce that no other people ever pos
sessed Our resources of production are
but barely touched and when they are fu!iy
exploited they VIII bring TO our counters
the money of The world II is no eXag.
seraion 10 say that II the balance o.
trade in our favor progresses for the mex
ten years At the ratio shown IN the las
five we can drain every other nation OF IL,
gold and become practically the arbiter o
the monetary questiun--hen the othel
commercial nations will begin to beg us Il
enter Into An international agreement 10
the coinage Of silver 3. The favorahl
indications for silver arising out OF III
fiscal affairs OF our own government are
ta) The effect of marketing the cotto
crop In the South In ninety days at sai
price has drained the banks Of New Yorl
OF their gold and they are begging til
secretary OF the treasury to help them on
by purchasing back for the government
some OF It's own bonds In gold and he ha
l,,,.
crops may bring the East to a realizato
OF the necessity Of bmetallism as sourc
OF money supply--that is, just as III
United States Is draining the world OF II
eold--so the West and the South wit
their wheat. corn. cotton and cattle ca
drain the East OF its gold
fb). The current report OF the dire ton o
the mint discusses feature OF the Nation
al banking law; under this law ban
may issue 90 per cent OF the par valu
OF It's bonds in bank notes, but bonds com
mand SO high a premium that banks on
invest In the minimum amount OF bond
and issue the minimum amount OF note
and as consequence they issue IN note
$3.50, 5000 less than they might Now
this is about IS per capita for the popula
ton OF the United States. National bank
OF issue are the means by which the re
publican party proposes to enlarge tn
monetary circulation, but II don't work
Why not then adopt the obvious remed
proposed by the democratic and ur
limited coinsge OF silver?
But aside from the silver question an
other issues OF the Chicago platform Their
are some new Questions on which the dem
ocratIc party must make up It's verdict an
present its finding for adoption by tn
American people In the election OF 1900.
TRUsTs.--Monopolies and conspiracis
against trade have from time immemoria
been denounced as vicious and hurtful
Public opinion has been 50 clearly again.
them that 1t was pot considered possibl
that they would ever attempt to gain
foothoid on American SOIL and yet Will
tho people slept In fancied security. tn
octopus. nourished by republican legisls
ton, has been fastening its tentacl'
upon tho productive industries and ma
terjal resources OF the country, until pre-
duction. manufacturing, transportation an
i.s d.ftrlbutiop are controlled by the trus
1hs rrr'sT y Of these stupendous me