We favor such an enlargement of the scope of the Interstate Commerce law as will enable the Commission to protect individuals and communities from discriminations and the public from unjust and unfair transportation rates.

FREE COINAGE AT 16 TO I

We reaffirm and endorse the principles of the national Democratic platform adopted at Chicago in 1896, and we reiterate the demand of that platform for an American financial system made by the American people for themselves, which shall restore and maintain a bimetallic price level, and as part of such system, the immediate restoration of the free and unlimited coinage of silver and gold at the present legal ratio of 16 to 1, without waiting for the aid or consent of any other nation.

CURRENCY BILL CONDEMNED

We denounce the Currency bill enacted at the last session of Congress as a step forward in the Republican policy, which aims to discredit the sovereign right of the national government to issue all money, whether coin or paper, and to bestow upon national banks the power to issue and control the volume of paper money for their own benefit. A permanent national bank currency, secured by government bonds, must have a permanent debt to rest upon, and if the bank currency is to increase with population and business the debt must also increase. The Republican currency scheme is, therefore, a scheme for fastening upon the tax payers a perpetual and growing debt for the benefit of the banks. We are opposed to this private corporation paper circulated as money, but without legal tender qualities, and demand the retirement of the national bank notes as fast as government paper and silver certificates can be substituted for them.

ELECTION OF SENATORS

We favor an amendment to the Federal Constitution providing for the election of United States Senators by direct vote of the people, and we favor direct legislation wherever practicable.

LABOR QUESTIONS

We are opposed to government by injunction; we denounce the blacklist and favor arbitration as a means of settling disputes between corporations and their employes.

In the interest of American labor and the upbuilding of the working man as the corner stone of the prosperity of our country, we recommend that Congress create a Department of Labor, in charge of a Secretary, with a seat in the Cabinet, believing that the elevation of the American laborer will bring with it increased production and increased prosperity to our country at home and to our commerce abroad.

We are proud of the courage and fidelity of the American soldiers and sailors in all our wars; we favor liberal pensions to them and their dependants, and we reiterate the position taken in the Chicago platform in 1896 that the fact of enlistment and service shall be deemed conclusive evidence against disease and disability before enlistment.

NICARAGUA CANAL

We favor the immediate construction, ownership and control of the Nicaragua Canal by the United States, and we denounce the insincerity of the plank in the Republican National platform for an isthmian canal in the face of the failure of the Republican majority to pass the bill pending in Congress.

We condemn the Hay-Pauncefote treaty as a surrender of American rights and interests, not to be tolerated by the American people.

STATEHOOD FOR THE TERRITORIES

We denounce the failure of the Republican party to carry out its pledges to grant statehood to the territories of Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma, and we promise the people of those territories immediate statehood and home rule during their condition as territories, and we favor home rule and a territorial form of government for Alaska and Porto Rico.

IRRIGATION

We favor an intelligent system of improving the arid lands of the West, storing the waters for purposes of irrigation, and the holding of such lands for actual settlers.

CHINESE EXCLUSION

We favor the continuance and strict enforcement of the Chinese Exclusion law and its application to the same classes of all Asiatic races.

NO FOREIGN ALLIANCES

Jefferson said: "Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none."

We approve this wholesome doctrine, and earnestly protest against the Republican departure, which has involved us in co-called world politics, including the diplomacy of Europe and the intrigue and land grabbing of Asia, and we especially condemn the ill concealed Republican alliance with England, which must mean discrimination against other friendly nations, and which has already stifled the nation's voice while liberty is being strangled in Africa.

SYMPATHY FOR THE BOERS

Believing in the principles of self-government, and rejecting, as did our forefathers, the claim of monarchy, we view with indignation the purpose of

England to overwhelm with force the South African Republics. Speaking, as we do, for the entire American nation, except its Republican office holders, and for all free men everywhere, we extend our sympathies to the heroic burghers in their unequal struggle to maintain their liberty and independence.

TAXES AND GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES

We denounce the large appropriations of recent Republican Congresses, which have kept taxes high, and which threaten the perpetuation of the oppressive war levies. We oppose the accumulation of a surplus to be squandered in such bare-faced frauds upon the taxpayers as the Shipping Subsidy bill, which, under the false pretence of prospering American shipbuilding, would put unearned millions into the pockets of favorite contributors to the Republican campaign fund. We favor the reduction and speedy repeal of the war taxes and a return to the time-honored Democratic policy of strict economy in governmental expenditures.

Believing that our most cherished institutions are in great peril, that the very existence of our constitutional Republic is at stake, and that the decision now to be rendered will determine whether or not our children are to enjoy those blessed privileges of free government which have made the United States great, prosperous and honored, we earnestly ask for the foregoing declaration of principles the hearty support of the liberty loving American people, regardless of previous party affiliations.

CHAPTER XXX

Convention of Silver Republicans

Held at Kansas City, July 4, 1900

The Party Favors Free Unlimited Coinage of Silver-Twentyfour States Represented-Democratic Ticket Endorsed Platform Adopted.

T was a matter of great import that at the St. Louis Convention,

IT

in 1896, Senator Teller and other advocates of free silver withdrew from the Republican National Convention on account of their sincere belief that the old party was making a mistake in not recognizing the white metal in its platform. A new national party thereupon came into existence, known as the Silver Republican Party. This National Convention was called to meet in Kansas City on the same date as that of the Democratic Party, July 4, 1900. Twentyfour states were represented by delegates, as follows: Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Colorado, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Indian Territory, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Charles A. Towne, who introduced Rev. Dr. Bigelow, of Cincinnati, to offer the invocation. The Secretary of the National Committee read the call for the convention, after which Stanley S. Parkhill, of Minnesota, read the Declaration of Independence, which was loudly applauded. The chairman then introduced Dr. Howard S. Taylor, of Chicago, who read his poem, entitled "The Liberty Bell," which was rendered with good effect and received with signs of appreciation by the audience. Chairman Towne delivered a short address, in which he referred to the rise and progress of the principles this convention represented. In an

impressive manner he spoke of the Declaration of Independence as embodying the principles essential to the preservation of Republican institutions.

At the close of his speech he presented the gavel to Senator Teller, as temporary chairman of the convention. The gavel was made from the wood of an elm tree planted by Abraham Lincoln.

Senator Teller's address to the convention was full of force, and was a stirring arraignment of the Republican party during the four years and its attitude on the money question. He also reviewed the growth of the money trusts, and the rapid strides of imperialism and industrial trusts as attendant evils.

The mention of the names of William Jennings Bryan and Charles A. Towne by Mr. Teller created a perfect storm of applause, at the end of which Mr. E. S. Corser, of Minnesota, presented a resolution providing for a committee of fifteen, of which Henry M. Teller should be chairman, to present to the Democratic National Convention the name of Charles A. Towne as a candidate for vicepresident, and that a similar committtee be appointed to confer with a like committee which may be appointed by the Democratic National Convention.

SECOND DAY'S SESSION

At the meeting of the convention for the second day, it was evident that William Jennings Bryan would be the nominee of the Silver Republican Party for the presidency. Before the platform was presented, a committee was appointed to invite the Ex-Assistant Secretary of the Interior, Webster Davis, to address the convention, which he did later in the day, to the great pleasure and satisfaction of the audience. The Committee on Resolutions, through Mr. D. C. Tillotson, of Kansas, reported the platform of the party which practically reaffirmed the Platform of the Democratic Party adopted at Kansas City. The report was unanimously adopted. Senator Teller then, in a most eloquent address, which was a fine tribute to the life and character of William Jennings Bryan, put him in nomination, declaring that not one Democrat of