June 25, 1896.-The money plank read: "Resolved, That Congress has no power to discriminate at the mints against either gold or silver as metals for the coinage of primary money, or against gold or silver coin of the United States as to their debtpaying functions. Such discriminations deprive the citizens of the use of one kind of standard money provided by the Constitution for the payment of debts, and we demand the repeal of all laws or parts of laws making such discriminations, and the restoration of the standard silver dollar to the rank of primary money which it held prior to 1873, by opening the mints to the coinage of silver on a perfect equality with gold at the ratio of 16 to 1." BOND ISSUE-"Resolved, That we condema the financial policy which necessitates the increase of the bonded debt of the country in time of peace to maintain an unnecessary gold reserve or to pay the current expenses of the Government. We also condemn a policy which seeks to retire the United States Treasury notes, as they constitute an absolutely safe circulating medium, based on gold and silver coin and backed by the entire wealth of the country. Such a policy would not only intensify the present evil of contraction, but place the exclusive right to issue a circulating medium in the control of a co centrated money power and above the laws and will of the people, and foster the Federal doctrine of centralization and class government through financial control --a doctrine which is a standing menace to our republican institutions and the liberties of the people; and we demand the repeal of laws which clothe a Secretary of the Treasury with the more than imperial power to issue bonds and increase the public debt at his will and pleasure without specific authority from Congress. "Resolved, That we favor the payment of he public debt as rapidly as possible." Other planks declared for a "tariff for

39

revenue cnly"; a repeal of the tax upon State bank issues, and an income tax; deplored lynchings, and favored such laws as would effectually prevent them.

POPULIST.

August 7, 1896.-A resolution authorized the State Committee to negotiate with the Democrats for a fusion on the electoral ticket whenever the Democrats would withdraw Mr. Sewall as VicePresident. Other resolutions indorsed the Populist National platform of 1896; condemned barrooms, and declared against the sale of liquor as a beverage; demanded that the convict lease system be abolished and that the convicts be employed by the State in some way which shall not compete with free labor. Liberal appropriations for public schools and for persions for the old Confederate veterans were recommended. The use of railroad passes and telegraph franks by public officials was condemned, and so was lynching. Speedy trials were demanded for accused persons. The fee system was condemned, and it was demanded that all public officers be put on salaries. A demand was made for a free ballot and a fair count.

IDAHO. REPUBLICAN.

May 16, 1896.-This was the money plank:

"Whereas, The Republican Convention of 1888 declared in favor of gold and silver as standard money of the United States, and condemned the action of the Democratic party for its efforts in attempting to demonetize silver; and

"Whereas, The Republican National Convention of 1892 substantially reiterated the declaration of 1888: and

"Whereas, The question of crystallizing into law the utterances of the last two conventions named, and of every utterance heretofore made by the Republican party of this State, recently arose in the United States Senate; and

"Whereas, Senators Henry M. Teller, Fred T. Dubois, Thomas H. Carter, Lee Mantle and Frank Cannon demanded the re-enforcement of said platform and utterances under conditions known to all; therefore be it

"Resolved, That we heartily indorse the action of Senator Dubois in joining with his associates named in the fearless position named in behalf of the free coinage of silver and protection to American industry and reciprocity, one and inseparable."

August 28, 1896.-The platform indorsed that of the National Convention, and adopted a plank indorsing "the faithful and laborious services of George L. Shoup" in the United States Senate "in his efforts to protect the interests of Idaho, and in maintaining the integrity of the Republican party.'

DEMOCRATIC.

June 16, 1896.-The platform demanded the immediate restoration of the free and unlimited coinage of gold and silver at the present legal ratio of 16 to 1, as such coinage existed prior to 1873. without waiting for the action of any other Na

tion on earth, such gold and silver to be full legal tender for all debts, public and private.

Resolutions were offered condemning the financial policy of President Cleveland and Secretary Carlisle, but there were such fiery speeches made that the resolutions were withdrawn.

August 22, 1896.-The platform affirmed allegiance to that adopted by the National Convention of 1896.

POPULIST.

August 22, 1896.-The platform favored woman suffrage.

ILLINOIS.

REPUBLICAN.

April 30, 1896.-The platform declared that the Administration of President Cleveland had demonstrated that the Democratic party is constitutionally incapable of managing the affairs of the Nation. On norey and tariff, it said:

we

"Resolved, That we, the Republicans of Illinois, are emphatic in our demands for honest money. We are opposed, as ever have been, to any and every scheme that will give to this country a currency in any way depreciated or debased, or in any respect inferior to the money of the most advanced and intelligent nations of the earth. We favor the use of silver as currency, but to the extent only, and under such restrictions, that parity with gold can be maintained. The Republican party, from the days of Lincoln, has been devoted irrevocably to the doctrine of protection to home industry, and we hereby renew and reaffirm our faith in this fundamental principle. We believe in a tariff that will produce revenue sufficient to meet the wants of government honestly and economically administered, and high enough to insure to home labor regular and remunerative employment. We advocate the unrestricted exchange of noncompetitve articles. We believe in reciprocity-the reciprocity of James G. Blain-reinforced by experience and an earnest wish to extend our foreign commerce to the fullest extent consistent with the control of our own market in the sale of articles that can be profitably produced at home."

Other planks declared that the Monroe Doctrine should be upheld, and that there should be a firm, vigorous and dignified policy toward all nations, with a strengthening of the coast defences and an enlargement of the Navy to command the respect of other Governments; expressed sympathy for the Cubans in their struggle for independence, and condemned Governor Altgeld for failing to enforce the laws in perilous times, and for not keeping his promise to prevent competition of convict labor with free labor, and for the extravagant, insufficient and partisan management of the State institutions.

DEMOCRATIC.

June 23. 1896.--The financial plank declared: "We favor the soundest and safest money known to men, and, as experience has shown that this consists of both gold and silver, with equal rights of coinage and full legal-tender power, we demand the repeal of that Republican and plutocratic legislation which demonetized

silver and reduced it to the basis of token money, destroying by one-half the stock of real money, and by doubbling the work to De done by gold doubled its purchasing power, so that the farmers and producers had to give twice as much work to get a dollar as they formerly had, and found it hard to meet the debts, interest, taxes and fixed charges, which were not lowered. In this way the market for those things which the mechanic and laborer made was destroyed and the factories had to shut down. We believe that the benefits of the independence which we gained a hundred years agothe war for which was inititated upon a matter of tribute-should not be lost by viel ling vassalage to a monetary system preferred by other Governments. We demand the immediate restoration of the free and unlimited coinage of both gold and silver as standard money at the ratio of 16 ounces of silver to 1 of gold of equal fineness, with full legal-tender power to each metal, without waiting for or depending on any other nation on earth. We are also opposed to the contraction of the currency by the retirement of any part of the present outstanding Treasury notes.'

The platform also declared for a tariff for revenue only, demanded "the abolition of Government injunction,' denounced "the arbitrary interference on the part of the Federal Government in local affairs by ignoring lawful authorities," and favored a Constitutional amendment authorizing an income tax.

SOUND MONEY DEMOCRATS.

August 25, 1896.-The platform declared that the Democratic party is primarily and solemnly pledged to liberty regulated by law; to equal justice to all men of whatsoever condition or persuasion, religious or political; to economy, to peace and honest friendship with all nations, and entangling alliances with none; to the payment of debts in honest money, and to the maintenance of the public faith, and is opposed to class legislation, and indorses "every act, Executive, legislative and judicial of the present Democratic National Administration."

The second section declares that the gold dollar is now and for more than sixty years has been the American standard of value fixed by Democratic statesmen, who were opposed to a debased and fluctuating currency, and that it is the measure upon which private and public faith has rested and now rests; and declares unreservedly in favor of maintaining that standard.

Section 3 favors the use of silver as currency and the coinage and circulation of such quantities thereof as can be kept at parity with gold coin, but opposes "the free and unlimited coinage of silver by the United States Government as a measure certain to impair contracts, disturb business, diminish the purchasing power of the wages of labor, inflict irreparable injury upon commerce and industry, and fasten an ineffacable stigma upon the financial honor of the American people.'

Succeeding sections demand the retirement of the United States from the banking business and the gradual redemption and cancellation of all United States and Treasury notes; charge to the McKinley

tariff and the McKinley-Sherman Silver Purchase Act the panic and depression of 1893 and succeeding years; denounce Republican protection as a fraud and robbery of the many for the few; declare for tariff for revenue only; rebuke the Republican National Convention as dominated by the intriguing attorneys of favored interests, and the Democratic National Convention as controlled by agents of the silver-mining interests, agitators and demagogues; commend the "honesty, economy, courage and fidelity" of the present National Administration, and declare "uncompromisingly in favor of the constitutional independence of the United States Supreme Court as one of the three co-ordinate powers in this Government."

INDIAN TERRITORY.

DEMOCRATIC.

June 10, 1896.-The platform declared for free coinage of silver at 16 to 1.

INDIANA. REPUBLICAN.

May 7, 1896.-TARIFF.-"The Republicans of Indiana are in favor of protection. We demand a tariff that will not only secure the necessary amount of revenue, but will also afford adequate and certain protection to the wage-workers and producers of this country. We demand that American sellers shall have the first chance in American markets. From Lincoln to Harrison, under a wise policy of Protection and Reciprocity, we steadily decreased our bonded debt, resumed specie payment, maintained the public credit, kept unimpaired the gold reserve, increased the wealth of the whole country and added to the comfort and happiness of the people to a degree unparalleled in the history of nations. The reversal of this beneficent and patriotic policy by the Democratic party has brought to the American people nothing but distrust, deficit and disaster. We therefore demand a return to sound Republican policy of Protection and Reciprocity."

the

MONEY.-"We are firm and emphatic in our demand for honest money. We believe that our money should not be inferior to the money of the most enlightened nations of the earth. We are unalterably opposed to every scheme that threatens to debase or depreciate our currency. We favor the use of silver as currency, but to the extent only and under such regulations that its parity with gold can be maintained, and in consequence are opposed to the free, unlimited and independent coinage of silver at a ratio of 16 to 1."

IMMIGRATION.-"We demand a rigid enforcement of all existing immigration laws by the National Government and the enactment of such further legislation as will better protect our people against the influx of the criminal and vicious classes of foreign countries."

PENSIONS.-"We believe in a liberal construction of our pension laws, and condemn the unjust and unfair policy of the present Administration in depriving exsoldiers of their pensions without notice

June 24, 1896.-The principal planks of the platform were these: "We reaffirm our adherence to and faith in the Democratic doctrine, bimetallism, and therefore demand the immediate restoration of bimetallism by the free and unlimited coinage of both silver and gold as primary money at the ratio of 16 to 1, without waiting the co-operation of Great Britain or any other foreign Power, all such coinage to be full legal tender in the payment of all debts, public and private.

"Resolved, That we believe the existing tariff laws will be fully equal to all demands for needed revenue for the expenses of the Government, economically administered, under the conditions which will arise from the restoration of bimetallism.

"We are opposed to the redemption and final cancelation of the United States notes (greenbacks), or any other notes or certificates issued by the United States to circulate as money, such redemption and concellation necessarily involving an increase of the public debt by the issue of bonds and a reduction of the currency.

"We demand a sufficient stable volume of money, gold, silver and paper, to meet the requirements of our growing population and the constant increase of our productive industries."

Other planks protested against the "increase of the public debt by the issue of interest-bearing bonds, or otherwise in time of peace"; demanded that "obligations of the Government in every form be paid and redeemed in conformity with the laws under which they were issued in coin, gold and silver, at the option of the Government of the United States, and not at the option of the creditor": sympathized with the Cubans, and believed that they ought to be accorded all the rights of belligerents, and indorsed Governor Matthews as a candidate for the Presidency.

POPULIST.

July 28, 1896.-The platform reaffirmed those of the National conventions of 1892 and 1896, and declared that the Indiana party is in favor of maintaining the party organization.

IOWA.

REPUBLICAN.

March 12, 1896.-The platform or resolutions were in a form at variance with the ordinary declaration of State conventions, and in the nature of an address on the reasons why Senator William B. Allison should receive the nomination for President. It recounted his conspicuous and beneficent work in and out of Congress for the country.

July 15, 1896.-The financial planks say: "We recognize the revolutionary character of the platform adopted at Chicago. We appreciate the dangers of its startling doctrines and the immeasurable disasters that would follow their adoption by the Government. We are opposed to the change to a single silver standard because it will decrease and not increase the supply of money in the country; because, instead of restoring confidence, it will destroy credit; instead of inspiring enterprise it will spread alarm; instead of aiding the debtor, it will involve him in bankruptcy; instead of furnishing employment to labor, it will make more uncertain and unrenumerative that which it has; instead of benefiting the producers it will injure them, and, finally, because it would do infinite injustice and involve our country in repudiation and dishonor."

DEMOCRATIC.

May 20, 1896.-The platform, in part, was: "The Democracy of Iowa hereby reaflirms it allegiance to the time-honored Democratic doctrine of bimetallism, the use of both gold and silver as primary money, and the coinage of both at a ratio without charge or limit. It is the opinion of this convention that this doctrine of the National Democratic party requires the constant effort of every loyal Democrat to accomplish the repeal of all laws heretofore enacted through the instrumentality of the Republican party, which do in letter and spirit alike discriminate against silver and in favor of gold; and the substitution therefor of affirmative legislation which shall restore silver to equal rights with gold in the mints and coinage of the country. We favor the immediate repeal of all laws by which silver was demonetized, and demand its unqualified restoration to the right of free and unlimited coinage in the mints of the Nation as money of full legal tender and final redemption at the ratio of 16 to 1. We recognize the fact that upon this question the country has reached a crisis that can no longer be evaded or post-poned. We know that the result of this conflict must be a return to the money of the Constitution, or the substitution for all time to come of a standard value, born of British aristocratic greed, which doubles the purchasing power of money and reduces by one-half the price of all great staples of industry. In behalf of the toiling millions of this Republic we welcome the conflict, and pledge the Democratic party of Iowa to stand by the Constitution, to defend the right to beat back with all its strength every wrongful aggression of the money power of the Old and New World alike, and to aid to the utmost limit of its ability in restoring to ourselves and our posterity the sacred heritage of the financial system bequeathed to the American people by the fathers of the Republic, and which was equally fair and just to all citizens; and in this effort we cordially invite the co-operation of all good citizens without reference to political affiliations in the past."

Other planks protested against all schemes for the retirement of the noninterest-bearing National paper currency and the substitution therefor of $500,000,

on

000 of interest-bearing bonds to become an additional burden upon the producing classes, that National banks may be supplied with interest-bearing capital which to transact their individual business; against the further issuance and sale of Government bonds to acquire gold with which to redeem such currency, and demand of the Government that it shall hereafter redeem the same with the coin of either metal it may possess in strict accord with the letter of the law; denounced as a transparent fallacy the claim that labor can be benefited by the maintenance of a single gold standard as the basis of our financial system. A sound-money minority report was defeated by a vote of 617 to 216.

August 12, 1896.-The platform "indorses and reaffirms the platform adopted by the National Democratic Convention in Chicago in 1896 as a true and correct statement of Democratic principles. We recognize in the candidates named by said National Convention noble and patriotic champions of said principles, and we pledge to them our most earnest support."

SOUND MONEY DEMOCRATS. August 26, 1896.-The platform reiterates the principles recognized as those of the Democracy; says that the Chicago Convention surrendered these and declared for a new sectionalism of the West and South against the East and North; declares that the Chicago platform is mischievous in its tendencies and a menace to free government. It denounces the Chicago attitude toward President Cleveland, whom it eulogizes. The attack on the Judiciary is denounced, and the attitude of the Chicago gathering money is discussed at some length, declaration on this subject is substantially as follows:

on

The

"That platform threatens to debase the coinage through ultimate coinage of silver at an arbitrary and fictitious ratio. It virtually pledges, if placed in power, to repeal the act for the resumption of specie payment. These are not Democratic principles, and cannot receive our support. The election of a President pledged to these principles will precipitate a financial crisis whose consequences cannot be predicted. We favor the use of gold and silver, maintained at parity; we adhere to the gold standard till true bimetallism can be achieved. We demand a reorganization of present financial laws, especially those which compel the issue of Government bonds to maintain National credit. We reaffirm the past declarations of the party on the tariff and on State issues."

KANSAS.

REPUBLICAN.

March 10. 1896. The platform arraigned and condemned the National Democratic Administration as unstatesmanlike, un-American and without ability to manage the affairs of the Government at home, or diplomatic intelligence and courage to enforce the rights and maintain the dignity and honor of our country in its foreign relations. It has denied the right of American labor to pro-

"We recognize a conviction and purpose among the body of the people as universal as intelligent to rid the country of Democratic misrule by placing it once more in the hands of its friends, the same Republican party which has before saved it from Democratic misrule and governmental imbecility."

August 11, 1896.-The platform indorsed the nominations of McKinley and Hobart, declared for protection, reciprocity and sound money as the three cardinal principles of Republicanism; opposed the free coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to 1 by this country alone, although favoring the fullest possible use of gold, silver and paper money consistent with maintaining them at a parity; condemned the pension policy of the present Administration, and declared for more liberal interpretation of present pension laws; favored better roads; favored State and National aid for irrigation; urged amendments which will make the Interstate Commerce law more effective, and heartily indorsed the administration of Governor Morrill and his associates.

DEMOCRATIC.

June 3, 1896.-This was the most important plank:

"Resolved, That we demand the free and unlimited coinage of both gold and silver at a ratio of 16 to 1 without any effort toward international agreement, believing this great country capable of taking care of itself."

The resolution further provided that the delegates to the National Convention be instructed to vote for no man for the Presidential nomination not holding wellknown views favoring silver. The resolutions as reported were adopted.

The platform adopted commended the Administration in So far as regards Cleveland's vigorcus foreign policy, his efforts for tariff reform, his firm stand toward Spain and the Americans held in Cuban prisons.

POPULISTS.

August 6, 1896.-The platform indorsed the National Populist code of principles; severely arraigned the Republican State administration, and demanded the enactment of a maximum freight rate bill by the next Legislature.

KENTUCKY. REPUBLICAN.

April 15, 1896.-The currency plank in the platform read:

"We are opposed to the free and unlimited coinage of silver, believing that it would involve the country in financial

43

June 4, 1896.-"We are in favor of an honest dollar, a dollar worth neither more nor less than 100 cents. We favor bimetallism, and to that end we demand the free and unlimited coinage of both gold and silver at the ratio of 16 to 1 as standard money with euqal legal-tender power, independent of the action of any other nation. We hold that the Secretary of the Treasury should exercise his legal right to redeem all the coin obligations in gold or silver, as may be more convenient, and are opposed to the issue of bonds in time of peace for the maintenance of the gold reserve or for any other purpose. We are opposed to the National banking system and to any enlargement of its powers.

"We are opposed to any contraction of the currency by the retirement of greenbacks or otherwise.

"We declare it to be a fundamental principle of Democracy that the Federal Government has no constitutional power to impose and collect tariff duties except for the purpose of revenue only, and the collection of such taxes should be limited

to

the necessities of the Government honestly and economically administered."

SOUND MONEY DEMOCRATS.

August 20, 1896.-The platform disclaimed, as undemocratic, the platform and candidates of the Democratic National Convention held at Chicago, and demanded the best, the most stable and the most honest of money, for the people of this greatest of nations; which money, by the wisdom, experience and usage of this and other enlightened countries, must, under existing circumstances, be bimetallic, but must be measured by the existing standard of gold; and should consist of gold, with a bank currency well secured and redeemable in gold, and with the use of silver and other metals within the reasonable limit prescribed by convenience and safety, and to be kept at a par with gold. We believe it is undemocratic and unwise for the Government to debase our money, or to issue paper currency, or, by adopting the silver standard, to set this Nation back from its financial place among enlightened peoples, to a monetary fellowship with the silver monometallists of Asia. We deem it rashness and folly on the part of this country to discard the long existing gold standard of the United States, of England, of Germany, of Austria, of Denmark, of Norway, of Sweden, of Greece, of Holland, of Portugal, of Spain, Italy, of Brazil, of Chili, of Belgium, of France and the other enlightened nations of the world; and to adopt the outgrown and discredited silver standard of Mexico, of Peru, of China and of the other halfcivilized and pauper nations.

of

"We believe the unlimited free coin