Willmar tribune., 1900-04-04
PLATFORM TALK
AND ECHOES FROM THE NEBRASKA
CONVENTION.
The Chicago Platform-What That Great
Deliverance Contained-GleaningsF From
the National Political Field-The Vir-
einia Congressman's Story-State and
Twin City Notes-Political Roundup of
tho Week.

ginia Congressman's Story-State and
tho Week.
Reform Press Bureau,
St. Paul. March 26, 1900.
All eyes have been Nebraskawards
during the past week, for the action
there by the allied forces on national
issues, and the candidacy of Mr.. Bryan.
Results were entirely reassuring. The
platform adopted by Democrats and
Populists differed in no important mat
ter. Affirming the Chicago platform,
there is such ringing application Of the
principles of that great deliverance
to the issues which have since
arisen, as re-inspires all patriotic men
and women to that effort for such sue.
cess at the polls, as is foreshadowed.
No doubt wise platform has been
made for Nebraska. It arraigns the Re-
publican administration upon events
and issues since 1896; for the new money
trust, created by the gold standard,
greenback-retiring law; for failure to
enforce antitrust laws, and to enact
others if the present are Intellectual,
since it has both congress and president
with which to do SO; for it's imperialism
shown in the Porto Rican tax, de-
nounced as fragrant violation Of the ma
tion's organic law; for the wicked Phil
ippine policy, and declaring for inde-
pendence for that people under Ameri.
can protection. This much negatively.
%h1 ;cf
pansion of trade by peaceful means; op-
position to militarism and sympathy
with the Beers in their struggle for ma
tional existence. That the Republican
leaders who sympathized with Cuba
fail to be interested in the struggle of
the Dutch, is shown to illustrate the
paralyzing influences of our own i'm
perialism in the Philippines and in
Puerto Rico.
Very significant of the trend of the
times is the expression favoring mu-
nicipal ownership of public utilities,
and recognition of the principles Of the
initiative and referendum. Strictly
American also, is the demand for the
immediate construction of tho Mic
araguan canal, and preservation
of the right to fortify it.
The free coinage reaffrmation
is as emphatic and unequivocal as Ian
guage can make it, to which is added a,
demand for an American financial sys-
TEN which shall not be subject to the
fluctuations and disturbances of foreign
powers; recognition Of the sovereign
right Of the government to issue all
money, whether coin or paper; reten-
tion Of the greenbacks and retirement
of national bank notes. as fast as green
backs can be substituted for the same.
The reiterated affirmation of the Chi
cago platform, in all it's parts, naturally
directs attention to that great docu-
ment again. How many people who
have opposed it. and how many who de-
uounced its makers and supporters,
really know what it contained; how
many such ever read it, or could emu
merate more than it's chief declarations?
Aside from the free coinage declaration,
the Chicago platform contained the fol-
lowing declarations, which people will
do we'll to enumerate and see how few
of them, even the most partisan can
conscientiously disapprove.
Re-affir1nation of allegiance to the es-
sential principle of our government and
the devotion of the Democratic party to
the fundamental principles of the consti-
tuition.
Denunciation of gold mono-metalism as
British policy, un-American and anti
American. against that spirit of love and
liberty which proclaimed our indepen-
dence in 1776 and won it from England in
the War of the Revolution.
Opposition to interest-bearing bonds in
time Of peace and trafficking with bank.
ing syndicates.
Issue of all paper money by the govern
ment, made redeemable in gold and silver
coin.
Denunciatory of high tariff laws like
the Mckinley law, as breeder of trusts
and monopolies.
Demand for the use of the remaining
constitutional power to provide for legis-
lation 80 that the burdens of taxation
may be equally and impartially laid, since
the supreme court has made the income
tax invalid.
Protection of American farmers and
artisans from foreign pauper labor
Arbitration of differences between en-
ployers and employees in interstate CON-
merce.
Condemnatory of the formation of
trusts and pools, and control of the same
by the federal government.
Condemnatory of profigate waste by
billion dollar Republican congresses.
Denunciatory of interference by federal
authorities in local affairs as in violation
of the Constitution, and for trials by jury
in cases of contempt.
Against discrimination by the govern
ment in favor of any of its debtors, refer
ring to the Pacific RAILROAD funding bill.
just claims for pensions to deserving
Union soldiers; denunciatory of arbitrar-
lily dropping soldiers from the pension
rolls.
Early admission of all territories into
statehood when qualified for same by
population and resources and home rule
for same.
Sympathy with the people of Cuba in
pendence.
Appointments based on merit with fixed
terms of Office, and equal opportunities
of all citizens OF ascertained fitness in the
civil service.
Improvement of great waterways for
the interior states, and cheap transporta-
ton to the water.
Such were the chief planks for the
support of which the 8,5OO,OOO who
voted for the matchless Bryan, were de-.
nounced as anarchists and revolution
lists!