The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-09-21

adopted at Sioux Falls. 8. D., May 10, 1900,
the following declaration: = ~.
We pledge anew the Peoples party new
er 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 reaf affirm the demand for the re-
opening Of the minis Of the United States
Tor the free and unlimited coinage of silver
and gold at the present legal ratio Of 16 to
1, 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 g. 1900. makes the fol-,
lowing announcement:
eve declare 1t to be our intention to lend
our efforts to the repeal of this currency
law, which not only repudlates the ancient
and time-honored principles of the Ameri-
can people before the Constitution was
adopted, but Is violative Of the principles of
the Constitution itself; and we shall not
cease our efforts until there has been estab-
llshed In It's place 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-
tion."
Combine Against Gold.
In all three platforms these parties an
nounce that their efforts shall be unceaslng
until the gold act shall be blotted from the
statute books and the free and unlimited
coinage Of silver at 10 to !, 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
istratlon and legislation it's several declara-
lions 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 fancied 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 reafirmed
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 OF
deliberate reafirmation. Four years ago
the people refused to place the seal of their
approval upon these dangerous and revou-
tionary policies, and this year they will not
fail to record again their earnest dissent.
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
to market the surplus of American farms.
Inn h1r ~ l~1~ 80
and reciprocity were the first pledges Of Re-
publican victory to be written into public
law. @
The present Congress has given to Alaska
territorial government for which it had
waited more than quarter Of century;
has established a 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 a
capital of $1,000 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, 00O, 900
ofUnlted States bonds have been paid from
the surplus revenues Of the treasury, and In
addition $25,000,000 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 s44,ooo,0C0 have been paid
since Dec. 81, 1897. The treasury balance is
In satisfactory condition, showing on Sept.
$135, as, 900, in addition to the $150, 000 900
gold reserve In the treasury. The govern
ment relations with the Pacific railroads
have been substantially closed, 1924 ,421, OC0
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. It had Increased to
$3.50 on July 1, 1900, and $26.S5 on Sept. /,
1900: Our total money on July /, 1896, was
81, SOC, 49,, 966; on July 1, 1900, it was ST.
o62, 425, 400, and $2,o9e. 6s3, o42 on Sept. /,
1900.
|: Prosperity In General.
Our Industrial and agricultural conditions
are more promising than they have hean FOR