Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-21

when Democratic success at the polls
is announced, halts and ceases in mere
anticipation of Democratic blunders
and failures.
DECLARES FOR GOLD STANDARD.
We renew our allegiance to the prin-
ciple of the gold standard and declare
our confluence in the wisdom OF the
legislation of the Fifty-sixth Congress
by which the parity of all our money
and the stability of our currency upon
Il gold basis has been secured. We rec
ognize that interest rates are q potent
factor in production and business activ-
lty. and for the purpose OF further
equalizinS and of further lowering the
rates of interest, we favor such ;nOne-
tary legislation as will enable the vary
ing needs Of the season and of all sec
tons to be promptly met in order that
trade may be sustained. labor steadily
employed and commerce enlarged The
volume of money in circulation was
never so great per capita as it is to-
day.
FREE COINAGE OF SILVER OP-
POSED.
We declare our steadfast opposition
to the free and unlimited coinage of
silver. No measure to that end could
be considered which was without the
support OF the leading commercial
countries of the world. However. firm
~ Republican legislation may seem TO
have secured the country against the
peril of base and discredi,ed currency.
the election of n Democratic President
could not fail to impair the country's
credit and TO bring once more into
question the Intention of the American
people to maintain upon the gold stand
ard the parity OF their money circula-
ton. The Democratic party must be
convinced that the American people
Will never tolerated the Chicago plait-
form.
nT-1, rpnU-rNr, EnDI-rr,\- MP am
We recognize the necessity and pro-
pTiety of the honest cooperation of
capital to meet new business conditions,
and especially to extend our rapidly in
creasng foreign trade, but we condemn
ali conSPiracieS and combinations IN
tended to restrict business Ito create
1nOnopolieS to limit production. or TO
control prices. and favor such leCisla-
ton as WIFI effectively restrain and pre-
vent all such abuses. protect and pro
mote competition and secure the rights
of producers. laborers and all who are
engaged in industry and commerce.
PROTECTION REAFFIRMED.
We renew our faith in the policy OF
protection 10 American labor. In that
policy our industries have been estab-
lished. diversified and maintained. BY
protecting the home market compcti
ton has been stimulated and produc-
ton cheapened. We favor the associ-
ated policy of reciprocity, SO directed
as to open our markets on favorable
terms for what we do not ourselves
produce in return for free foreign mar
kets.
TO RESTRICT IMMIG GRAFTON.
In the further interest of American
workmen we favor Il more effective re-
striction of the immigration of cheap
labor from foreign lands. the extension
OF opportunities of education for work
ing children, the raising of the age
limit for child labor, the protection Of
free labor as against contract convict
labor and an effective system of labor
insurance.
EXTEND AMERICAN SHIPPING.
Our present dependence upon foreign
shipping for nine tenths of our foreign
carrying is a great loss to the industry
of this country. 1t is also q serious
darger Of our trade, for its sudden
withdrawal. in the event of European
war; would seriously cripple our ex-
banding foreign commerce. The ma
tional defense and naval deficiency OF
this country, moreover. supply n COM
polling reason for legislation which will
enable us To recover our former place
among the trade carrying fleets of the
world.
The pension laws should be liberal.
and should be literally administered
and preference should be given where
ever practicable. with respect to en-
ployment in the public service to SOL
diers and sailors and to their widows
and orphans.
THE CIVIL SERVICE
We commend the policy of the Re-
publican party in maintaining the eff
cheney of the civil service. The admin
istration has acted wisely in its eff
forts to secure for public service in
cuba. Porto Rico. Hawaii and the Phil
ippinc islands only those whose fitness
has been determined by training and
experience. We believe that employ
ment in the public SERVICE itt these ter-
ritores should be confined, as far as
practicable to their inhabitants II
was the plain purpose of the fifteenth
amendment 10 the Constitution to pre-
vent discrimination on account of race
or color in regulating the elective fran
chise. Devices OF State governments
whether by statutory or constitution
al enactment, TO avoid the purpose of
this amendment are revolutionary and
should be condemned.
FOR GOOD ROADS.
Public movements looking to n per-
lament improvement of the roads and
highways of the country meet with our
cordial approval and we recommend
this subject to earnest consideration of
the pcop'e and Of the legislatures of the
several states. We favor the extension
OF the rural free delivery service where
ever its extension may be justified. In
further pursuance of the cons tant poll
cy OF the Republican party to provide
free homes on the public demain we
recommend adequate legislation TO re-
claim the arid lands of the United
states. reservinG control OF the dstribu-
ton of water for irrigation to the re-
spectve States and Territories. We ia
vor home rule. and the carly admis-
sion to Statehood of the Territories of