The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-24
REAFFIRMING LAST YEARS AL
MANIAC

Democratic conventions continue to re-
affirm the Chicago platform, and it is re-
ported that the Bryan national managers
propose to indorse the silver heresy, not
by a distinct and open declaration, but by
a short resolution reaffirming the Chicago
platform of 1896. To those who desire to
escape an outspoken pledge to the free
coinage of silver this may seem a very
neat evasion. To those who take the pains
to reread the platform of 1896 the scheme
presents objections from the fact that
much of the platform of 1896 does not APP
ply to 1900 For instance, the following is
found in the Chicago platform of 1896:
We are unalterably opposed TO gold
recommendation, which has locked fast the
prosperity of an industrial people In the
paralysis of hard times.
That sort of thing could be said in 1896,
but to affirm the paralysis of Industrial
depression the past two years is to declare
falsehood so palpable and absurd as to
make those who utter it the objects of gen.
eral contempt and derision. Another plank
of the Chicago platform declares that:
The value of the home market to our
American farmers and artisans is greatly
reduced by a vicious monetary system
which depresses the prices of their prod
ucts below the cost of production and thus
deprives them of the means or purchasing
the products of our home manufacture.
During the past two years there has been
general advance in the prices of all of
the products of the farm and the factory
In the United States, and an unprecedented
consumption. Wages in the more extensive
lines of employment have been advanced
from 10 to IS per cent, and the labor of the
country was never so fully employed. Ev-
cry staple farm product. except wheat. has
advanced from 10 to % per cent. Cattle and
hogs have not been so high in years as
during the last six months. In fact, Bryan
papers have been complaining of the adj
vance in prices as one of the evils OF Re-
publican rule. In view of such patent facts.
even a Bryan platform cannot charge that
''the gold standard depresses prices below
the cost of production" In another part of
the Chicago platform of 1896 one may read:
We denounce the profiigate waste of the
money wrung from the people by oppres-
sive taxation and the lavish appropria-
which have kept taxes high, while the Ia
Dor that pays them is unemployed and the
products OF the peoples toll are depressed
in price till they can no longer repay the
cost of production.
AS there had not been. at that date, a
Congress Republican in both branches
since that of 1ss9-9O. which passed the dis
ability pension act. and as the high taxes
complained of were imposed by the Cor
| man. Wilson Democratic tariff. IL may be
submitted If another Bryan platform will
assail the old Democratic party in Con-
gress. IL IL does this. it win add TO the
gayety OF the campaign for Republicans to
have Bryan reafiirmed platform that
labor is unemployed. when in Bryan
papers there have been news paragraphs
I'm which "a labor famine was announced
In another paragraph demand is made
that the Pacific railroad companies be COM
PEELED to pay their dues 70 the government