DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM

1896 Democratic Convention at Chicago, Illinois.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, July 8, 1896.

THE PLATFORM.

Declaration Prepared by the Subcommittee On Resolutions.

   Following is the platform as agreed to by the subcommittee to be submitted to the general committee today. It is thought that few if any modifications will be made before the resolutions are presented to the convention, although planks favoring the Monroe doctrine and recognizing Cuban belligerency are proposed. The minority will, of course, present a report taking ground against the free coinage of silver:

   We, the Democrats of the United States in convention assembled, do reaffirm our allegiance to those great essential principles of justice and liberty upon which our institutions are founded and which the Democratic party has maintained from Jefferson's time to our own—freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of conscience, the preservation of personal rights, the equality of all citizens under the law and the faithful observance of constitutional limitations.

   Recognizing that the money question is paramount to all others at this time, we invite attention to the fact that the federal constitution names silver and gold together as the money metals of the United States and that the first coinage law passed by congress under the constitution made the silver dollar the unit of value and admitted gold to free coinage at a ratio measured by the silver dollar unit.

   We declare that the act of 1873, demonetizing silver without the knowledge or approval of American people, has resulted in the appreciation of gold and a corresponding fall in the prices of commodities produced by the people; a heavy increase in the burden of taxation and of all debts public and private; the enrichment of the money lending class at home and abroad; paralysis of industry and impoverishment of the people.

   We are unalterably opposed to the single gold standard which has locked fast the prosperity of an industrious people in the paralysis of hard times. Gold monometallism is a British policy founded upon British greed for gain and power, and its general adoption has brought other nations into financial servitude to London.

   It is not only un-American, but anti-American, and it can be fastened upon the United States only by the stifling of that indomitable spirit and love of liberty which proclaimed our political independence in 1776 and won it in the war of the revolution,

   We demand the immediate restoration of the free and unlimited coinage of gold and silver at the present legal ratio of 16 to 1, without waiting for the aid or consent of any other nation.

   We demand that the standard silver dollar shall be a full legal tender equal with gold for all debts, public and private, and we favor such legislation as will prevent the demonetization of any kind of legal tender money by private contract.

   We are opposed to the policy and practice of surrendering to the holders of the obligations of the United States the option reserved by law to the government of redeeming such obligations in either silver coin or gold coin.

   We are opposed to the issuing of interest bearing bonds of the United States in time of peace, and condemn the trafficking with banking syndicates which, in exchange for bonds and at an enormous profit to themselves, supply the federal treasury with gold to maintain the policy of gold monometallism. Congress alone has the power to coin and issue money, and President Jackson declared that this power could not be delegated to corporations or individuals. We, therefore, demand that the power to issue notes be taken from the banks and that all paper money shall be issued directly by the treasury department.

The Platform will Declare for Free and Unlimited Coinage of Silver.

   CHICAGO, July 8.—At 2 o'clock this morning the sub-committee on resolutions adjourned until 8:30 o'clock this A. M., when the platform agreed upon was reported to the full committee. The platform declares for the free and unlimited coinage of silver at 16 to 1; denounces the issue of bonds; demands that the power to issue circulating notes be taken from National banks; declares for a tariff for revenue only and asserts that the re-enactment of the McKinley law would be a menace to the best interests of the country; declares for a constitutional amendment which will enable the enactment of an income tax law; extends strong sympathy for the Cubans in their present struggle with Spain; demands that pauper immigrants shall be kept out of the country; declares for liberal pension legislation; approves of the contempt of court bill reported by Senator Hill to the senate, which bill grew out of the Debs case, and denounces the Republican house of the present congress for not passing it; denounces the Pacific railroad funding bill that has been reported to the senate; opposes a third term as being a violation of one of the cardinal principles of the Democratic party and denounces the extravagance of the last Republican congress.

   A minority report will be presented by Messrs. Hill, Gray and Russell.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

The Old Story.

   An Albany county farmer called at The Journal office recently and was asked what he thought of the "free silver sentiment" in the country.

   He replied:

   "Four years ago the Democrats out our way told us that if we voted for Cleveland and free trade we would all have lots of money and good times. They are now telling the farmers that if we'll vote the Democratic ticket this year for free silver we'll have good times and lots of money. Somehow the people don't seem to believe them."

   If a man is lied to and fooled once, it may be the fault of the liar. If he is fooled a second time by the same liar it's his own fault. Farmers don't usually take the same bait twice.

Two Horses Died.

   Superintendent B. B. Morehouse of the Cortland Rural cemetery has lost two valuable horses from cerebrospinal meningitis. One of them died Friday night and the other Saturday morning, having been sick only thirty-six hours. Dr. W. L. Baker was called, as was also Prof. James Law of Cornell University, but medical skill was of no avail.

BREVITIES.

   —Mr. G. E. Butler yesterday had erected at the foot of the stairway leading to his photograph studio a fine showcase which was made by Mr. George Reeves of Cortland.

   —The Homer and Cortland Gas Co. is replacing all the old pipes on Railroad-st. leading from the main to private residences with new pipes. It has already put in a new main. This is all done in preparation for the paving. The company very wisely does not purpose to be responsible for any tearing up of the pavement in the near future to replace or repair leaky pipes.

   —All the clothing stores will close at 6 o'clock each evening except Mondays and Saturdays until Oct. 1.

   —New advertisements to-day are—F. Daehler, you know how, page 6.

HOMER.

Gleanings of News From Our Twin Village.

   HOMER, N. Y., July 8.—Last evening Officer Shirley arrested a man on the charge of  stealing who gave his name as William Haight and said that he lived in East Homer. It was claimed that he had been stealing a number of small articles such as coconuts, onions, bananas and apricots from O. B. Andrews' store. He was taken before Justice Stone and committed to jail until this morning. When brought before the justice this morning he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to thirty days in the county jail.

   Miss Ella Couch returned to Syracuse this morning.

   H. E. Hannum left last night for Chicago, Ill., to attend the Expressmen's convention as a delegate from the United States Express Co. Pembroke Pierce is taking his place in the Express office.

   Late last evening while Glenn Hicks was riding from Cortland on his wheel he ran into another rider and both were thrown off. Hicks was badly bruised about his head and one hand and wrist were quite badly hurt.

   Miss May Kingsbury who has been staying at her home in this place for a few weeks has returned to New York.

   Frank Carpenter is driving a new team on his delivery wagon.

   Mrs. George Brockway and her mother, Mrs. Dunbar, went to Syracuse this morning.

   The Woman's Foreign Missionary society of the Congregational church will meet with Mrs. E. G. Ranney to-morrow afternoon and a letter will be read from Mrs. Montgomery who is doing missionary work in Turkey. This letter will no doubt be interesting.

McGRAWVILLE.

Crisp Local Happenings at the Corset City.

   The entertainment at the schoolhouse hall Tuesday evening in aid of the Armenian fund was a success in every respect.

   The latest flavor for chewing gum is sewing machine oil. It is quite a favorite in the corset factory.

   Mr. A. J. Sweet, dazzled by the sight of the yellow caps and the gorgeous hat hand of one of our M. D.'s, has spread himself and has a hat band in course of construction that will beat even the Cortland fireworks.

   The officers elected by the local Odd Fellows for the ensuing term are:

   N. G.—M. C. Rean.

   V. G.—I. J. Walker.

   See.—P. W. Chaffee.

   Treas.—G. H. Maricle.

   Representative to Grand Lodge—Dr. M. R. Smith.

   Proxy—C. B. Warren.

   Mr. Floyd Beers of the corner store has added a new line of goods he has for sale a pair of trousers as good as new except that an important portion is missing. They were worn by him on July 4 at Lake View and the most trustworthy reports bring in a dog as the attacking party.

   During the thunder shower of Monday night the sugar house of Myron Bingham north of this village burned. It is supposed it was struck by lightning.