The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-09-21

Turning to the other associated parties,
we find IN the Populist national platform
adopted at Sioux Falls, s. D., May 10, 1900,
the following declaration:
1--WE pledge anew the Peoples party new
err to cease the agitation until this financial
conspiracy is blotted from the statute book,
the Lincoln greenback restored, the bonds
all paid and all corporation money forever
retired. We reafirm the demand for the re-
opening of the minis of the United States
| for the free and unlimited coinage Of silver
and gold at the present legal ratio of 16 to
/, the Immediate increase In the volume Of
silver coins and certificates thus created to
be substituted, dollar for dollar, for the
bank notes issued by private corporations
under special privilege, granted by law Of
March IA, 1900, and prior national banking
laws"
Declare Their Hostility.
The platform of the silver party adopted
at Kansas City, July 6, 1900. makes the fol-
lowing announcement:
I'VE declare 1t to be our intention to lend
our efforts to the repeal of this currency
law, which not only repudiates the ancient
and time-honored principles of the Ameri
adopted, but is yiolative of the principles of
the Constitution itself; and we shall not
cease our efforts until there has been estab-
| llshed in It's place a monetary system based
upon the free and unlimited coinage of silver
and gold into money at the present legal
ratio of 16 to by the independent action of
the United States, under which system all
paper money shall be issued by the govern
ment, and all such money coined or issued
shall be full legal tender In payment of
all debts, public and private, without excep-
ton"
Combine Against Gold.
In all three platforms these parties an
nounce that their efforts shall be unceasing
! until the gold act shall be blotted from the
statute books and the free and unlimited
coinage of silver at 16 to 1, shall take its
place.
The relative Importance of the issues do
! not stop to discuss. All Of them are i'm
portant. Whichever party is successful will
be bound in conscience to carry into admin
! istration and legislation its several declara-
! tions and doctrines. One declaration will be
as obligatory as another, but all are not i'm
mediate.
1t is not possible that these parties would
| treat the doctrine of 16 to 1, the immediate
realization Of which is demanded by their
several platforms, as void and imperative
! In the event that they should be clothed
with power. Otherwise their profession of
faith is insincere. 1t is therefore the i'm
perative business Of those opposed to this
financial heresy to prevent the triumph of
the parties whose union is only assured by
adherence to the silver issue.
Facing Grave Peril.
Will the American people, through indif-
ference or faRcied security, hazard the over
throw of the wise financial legislation of the
last year.and revive the danger of the silver
standard, with all of the inevitable evils of
shattered confidence and general disaster
which Justly alarmed and aroused them in
1896?
The Chicago platform of 1896 is reatirmed
in its entirety by the Kansas City conven-
ton. Nothing has been omitted or recalled;
so that all the perils then threatened are
presented anew with the added force ofaa
deliberate reafirmation. Four years ago
the people refused to place the seal of their
approval upon these dangerous and revolu-
tlonary policies, and this year they will not
lar 10 FeCOFu dSdln lnelT earnest ulSSenl.
Faithful to Pledges.
The Republican party remains faithful to
its principle of a tariff which supplies suf-
hcient revenues for the government and ade
quate protection to our enterprises and pro-
ducers and of reciprocity, which opens for
eign markets to the fruits of American labor
and furnishes new channels through which
to market the surplus of American farms.
The time-honored principles of protection
and reciprocity were the first pledges Of Re
publican victory to be written into public
law.
The present Congress has given to Alaska
a territorial government for which it had
waited more than a quarter of century;
has established representative government
in Hawaii; has enacted bills for the most
liberal treatment of the pensioners and their
widows: has revived the free homestead
policy.
In its great financial law it provided for
the establishment of banks of issue with
capital of $4,000 for the benefit of villages
and rural communities, bringing the oppor-
tunity for profitable business In banking
within the reach Of moderate capital. Many
are already availing themselves of this priv
ilege.
Some Convincing Figures.
During the past year more than SIS, 1000, 900
| of United States bonds have been paid from
the surplus revenues of the treasury, and In
| addition $25,O00,0O0 of per cents matured,
called by the government, are in process of
payment. Pacific Railroad bonds issued by
the government in aid Of the roads in the
sum of nearly 100000 have been paid
| since Dec. 81, 1897. The treasury balance is
| in satisfactory condition, showing on Sept.
S135, 900, In addition TO the $3.50 900, 600
gold reserve in the treasury. The govern
ment relations with the Pacific railroads
have been substantially closed, 1924 421, goo
being received from these roads, the greater
part In cash and the remainder with ample
securities for payments deferred
Instead of diminishing, as was predicted
| four years ago, the volume of our currency
Is greater per capita than 1t has ever BEEN
| 1t was $21.10 in 1896. 1t had increased TO
| $26.50 on July /, 1900 and S26.s5 on Sept. 1,
1900 Our total money on July /, 1896, was
| 81, 5O6 434. 966; on July /, 1900 It was 3d.
O62, 425, 400, and $2.096,GsS,o 42 on Sept 1,
| 1900.
Prosperity In General.
Our Industrial and agricultural conditions
are more promising than they have been for
many years; probably more SO than they
have ever been. Prosperity abounds every
| where throughout the republic. / rejoice