gardless of the action of the other commercial nations of the world; and criticised as selfish and undemocratic any move to the debasement of the National currency. It added:

"Public credit is private security. Faith in the integrity of Government is essential to business prosperity. Debasement of the currency means an impairment of all past obligations and uncertainty as to those of the future. Under such conditions, financial panics and industrial depressions are inevitable. And the people are not blind to the teaching of experience. No party in this country has ever succeeded to power by an attack upon the public credit, and no party ever will. The experiment was tried in 1894, and with what success we know too well."

MONTANA.

REPUBLICAN.

May 11, 1896.-The platform demanded the restoration of silver to its ancient money function as a means of equalizing the difference in exchange, and the reestablishment of the protective tariff policy as a necessary means of equalizing the differences in wages and the cost of living.

Bimetalism, Protection and Reciprocity were the three cardinal principles of Republican faith, and a declaration was made for the free and unlimited coinage of both gold and silver at a ratio of 16 to 1, independently by the United States. The Democratic Administration was denounced for its efforts to foist upon the country its twin factors of cheapness,

free trade and the gold standard, and for dishonoring the National flag in Hawaii, refusing to recognize Cuba and increasing the National debt.

September 11, 1896.-The resolutions indorsed the National platform, save as to the financial plank. The convention then split, the Silver Republicans indorsing Bryan and Sewall, and the Sound Money Republicans indorsing the McKinley

ticket.

DEMOCRATIC.

June 20, 1896.-"As a question overshadowing all others which to-day engages the thoughts and affects the welfare of the people of the United States we are in favor of the restoration of silver as money as it existed prior to its covert demonetization in 1873. For this purpose we demand that the mints of the United States be opened to the free coinage of silver as well as gold at the ratio of 16 to 1 without waiting the action of other nations. We declare it our belief that the demonetization of silver is the prime cause of its depreciation, and also of the general stagnation that exists in branches of industry and trade throughout the United States, and that permanent prosperity can be restored only by the restoration of silver to its former place of money equality with gold. We believe the free coinage of silver will not only revive the drooping industries of the country, but the natural and inevitable result of free coinage will be to enlarge and extend the foreign commerce of the country, particularly with all nations having a like system of currency as our own. We be

all

lieve that the use of both gold and silver as money will put it beyond the power of any combination of capitalists, whether at home or abroad, to SO concentrate money as to be able to raise or depress at will the products of labor throughout the world, a condition not only possible, but probable, if gold is the only money by which values are measured."

The platform also declares for a tariff for revenue, and opposes the issuance of bonds in time of peace.

POPULIST.

June 24, 1896.-The platform declared for free silver at the ratio of 16 to 1, and for the initiative and referendum; they denounced the Cleveland Administration for its action in Chicago during the A. R. U. strike, and denounced the imprisonment of Eugene V. Debs as an outrage. The question of fusion on the silver question with some other National party in the Presidential election was left to the judgment of the delegates, and they went uninstructed, but a majority personally favored a union of silver forces.

NEBRASKA. REPUBLICAN,

April 15, 1896.-"We pledge ourselves in advance to the platform of the forthcoming Republican National Convention, believing that it will declare against the free and unlimited coinage of silver and for the currency of gold, silver, and paper as sound as the Government and as untarnished as its honor, and for that American system of protection and reciprocity of which William McKinley is the best living exponent, and under which our people attained the greatest National and individual prosperity.

"We extend our sympathies to the struggling patriots of Cuba in their heroic efforts to establish a Government of the people, and we demand the recognition of their rights as belligerents by the National Administration."

July 1, 1896.-The principal planks in the platform adopted were: "Chief among Our standard principles is a protective tariff that cares for every American interest and secures the highest good for American labor; a reciprocity that, while seeking out the world's markets for our surplus products, will never yield up a single day's wage that belongs to American workman; a sound dollar as sound as the Government and as untarnished as its flag; a dollar that is good not only at home, but good wherever the trade goes-as good in the hands of a farmer or workingman as in the hands of a capitalist, a manufacturer, or a corporation.

the

"The Republicans of Nebraska most heartily indorse the nomination of their first choice, William McKinley, of Ohio, for President, and Garret Hobart, New-Jersey, for Vice-President, and pledge them their enthusiastic and undivided support."

DEMOCRATIC.

of

April 22, 1896. "We favor 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 1875 without waiting for the aid or consent of any other Nation, such gold and silver to be full legal tender for all debts, public and private.

"We are opposed to the retirement of the greenback and demand that the Secretary of the Treasury, instead of issuing interest-bearing bonds for the purchase of gold, shall recognize the silver as money of redemption and exercise the right to redeem greenbacks, Treasury notes and all other coin obligations in silver when silver is more convenient."

The resolutions declared for a tariff for revenue only, an income tax, election of United States Senators by direct vote, and in opposition to A. P. A. methods.

with

SOUND MONEY DEMOCRATS. April 29, 1896.-"We believe Thomas Jefferson that the market value of bullion regulates the value of the coin and not its coin value. We accept the teachings of economic science that under free conditions the cheaper money will always drive out better money, leaving nothing but the poorer in circulation, and that under the unvarying law, the adoption of free silver at 16 to 1 would expel from circulation all the gold and paper money redeemable in gold, and leave the country on a silver basis with a paper currency and much less of it.

"We believe that common honesty and a just regard for the rights of our creditors, as well as the rights of wageearners, require us to use all honorable means to prevent the insertion of a free coinage plank in the National platform. We adhere to our previous declarations on this subject and declare ourselves unequivocally and unreservedly for the metallic money as the standard unit, the bullion and mint value of which are approximately the same, and the purchasing power of which, regardless of Government mintage, is the least fluctuating in all the markets of the world."

ruin have been a certain result. We denounce the threatened Democratic and Populist free trade alliance with England and the cheap labor countries of Europe and Asia as a contemplated federation against well-paid American labor. We insist that many of the languishing industries of Nevada can be revived only by returning to the great Republican doctrine of Protection and to the accomplishment of that result we earnestly invite the cooperation of all earnest' citizens."

SILVER-"We declare that the free coinage of silver by international agreement would satisfactorily adjust the monetary relations between the precious metals. As a feasible measure to lead to an international agreement for the free coinage of silver, to the promotion of which the National Republican party is firmly pledged by its platform, we declare ourselves in favor of the free coinage of the silver product of American mines, at the ratio of 16 to 1, and of accompanying legislation imposing a prohibitive duty upon foreign silver bullion and coins, and a discriminating tariff schedule against all imports from gold standard countries, until an agreement shall be effected between the great commercial nations providing for the free coinage of the precious metals, or until it shall be practicably demonstrated that the volume of coined silver of American production can no longer be increased and maintained in circulation upon an equality in business transactions with our other forms of National currency."

Other planks declared in favor of a nonsectarian system of public instruction; demanded that no one should be elected a United States Senator or Representative in Congress from Nevada, and that no person should, be given a Federal appointment in the State, except such person elected or appointed is an actual resident thereof; demanded that there should be the most thorough enforcement of the "Purity of Election Law"; favored the exclusion of immigrant paupers and criminals; also equal settlement of international differences.

DEMOCRATIC.

June 10, 1896.-The platform indorsed the Administration of President Cleveland in everything except its financial policy; commended its course upon the tariff question and the Monroe Doctrine; favored "Home Rule" everywhere, and insisted that it should prevail in Nevada; opposed for public office in the State every person not an actual resident, and whose interests are not identified with the commonwealth; denounced all SOcieties, secret or otherwise, organized for the purpose of interfering with the rights or privileges of any religious sect or denomination; favored the election of United States Senators by popular vote. The money plank reads: "We most emphatically declare for the free and unlimited coinage and use of silver and gold money at the established ratio of 16 to 1, without asking permission or waiting for the co-operation of any foreign Government, each to be receivable for all public dues and to be a full legal tender in payment for all debts, public and private. This result, we are confident, can only be

as

secured through the direct instrumentality of the National Democratic party. Metallic money has ever been a cardinal principal of the Democracy, and with the Democracy rests the only hope for the restoration of silver to its former position in the currency volume of the Nation, from which it was displaced by a Republican Congress and President in 1873."

NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

REPUBLICAN.

March 31, 1896.-"The Republicans of New-Hampshire congratulate their fellow-citizens of all parties on the near approach of an opportunity to rescue their country from the misrule of the Democratic party, which for three years has by its incompetence and wickedness paralyzed their productive industries and crippled their mercantile and commercial enterprise, destroyed much of the value of their property, deprived them of profitable employment and spread among them disappointment, privation and distress; which has added constantly and rapidly to the National debt, impaired the National credit, cast suspicion on the National currency and sullied the National reputation at home and abroad; which has profited none of our people, except sheriffs, assignees and the favored speculators in Government bonds, and which, though rebuked by the voters in 1894 and 1895 with an emphasis never equalled, doggedly refuses to be corrected by its chastisement and persists in using the power it retains to perpetuate and intensify the misery and disgrace it has brought upon us.

"To the end that this great deliverance may be fully accomplished, and our Nation may be restored to the honor, glory and material prosperity to which it attained under a Republican policy, and continue the wonderful development which was brought to a stop by the incoming of President Cleveland and his Congress, we demand of the National Convention soon to assemble at St. Louis the nomination of candidates whose election will mean the speedy repeal of the infamous and ruinous Democratic tariff and the substitution therefor of one based on the principles of the McKinley act for the protection of our domestic industries, the promotion of reciprocal trade with other countries, and the procurement of abundant revenues as far as is possible at the expense of foreigners who market their merchandise in competition with our own productions; the enactment of currency laws that will provide a circulation medium in gold, silver and paper, which will always be interchangeable at its face value because each and every dollar of it is of the same purchasing power as a gold dollar; liberal appropriations for an adequate Navy and coast and Harbor defence and internal improvement; fair, generous treatment of the Union veteran; a foreign policy characterized by sturdy Americanism, including the assertion of the Monroe Doctrine, and the moral and material support of the Cuban patriots if they have not already achieved their independence; and an immediate return to all policies in which the Republican party

has so successfully illustrated the soundness of its principles and to the methods by which it has demonstrated its ability, and application of those principles in the administration of the Government."

September 3, 1896.-The platform, in part read:

"We accept and indorse the platform of the National Republican party because, among other reasons, it stands for honest money, of which every dollar, at all times, shall be as good as gold; because it stands for reciprocity; because it stands for a vigorous and dignified foreign policy, and for the protection of American citizens and American property everywhere, at all hazards, and at any cost; because it stands for a generous recognition of the veterans of the Union Army and for a reform in the administration of pensions; because it stands for a strict enforcement of our immigration laws, and because it stands for all wise and legitimate efforts to lessen and prevent the evils of intemperance, and on this subject is consistent with the settled legislative policy of the Republican party of this State.

"We unite with all patriotic citizens in denouncing the so-called Democratic National platform for its position upon almost every question vitally affecting the interest of the people and the stability of the Republic; for its approval of government by mob rather than by law; for its cowardly assault upon our courts; for its proposition to pack the Supreme Bench of the United States for its partisan purposes: for its seditious attempts to promote sectional jealousies; for its treasonable purpose to incite social war and provoke contests between classes; for its sympathy with Anarchism; for its undertaking to repudiate public and private debts: for its avowed intention to uproot and overturn our existing monetary system, under which, prior to the Chicago Convention, every dollar, whether gold, silver or paper, bearing the stamp of the United States Government, worth one dollar in gold in every market in the world, and in place thereof to substitute money based on silver monometallism, depreciated and unstable, the purchasing value of which will destroy our industries, endanger every business enterprise and lessen the value of wages of labor."

DEMOCRATIC.

was

May 20, 1896.-The platform contained these planks, declaring "that under present conditions there can be but one standard of value, and that every kind of currency should rest upon a gold basis so long as gold is the standard recognized by the great commercial nations of the world, and we heartily commend the action of President Cleveland in so firmly maintaining our public credit and faith in the face of formidable opposition.

"That we favor a system of tariff taxation so adjusted as to produce the necessary revenues to meet the present expenses of honest government, with the least possible burden upon the people, and afford such incidental protection as will meet the requirements of American capital and labor.

"That the Monroe Doctrine embodies

our idea of National self-defence, and should be vigorously maintained.

"That the civil and religious rights of all our people, as guaranteed them under the Constitution, should be sedulously guarded, and that no proscription on account of religious opinions should be Countenanced or tolerated."

September 2, 1896.-The principal plank in the platform was:

"We, the Democracy of New-Hampshire, in delegate convention assembled, recognizing the action of the National Convention held in Chicago on the seventh day of July last as authority for party action on ali political subjects therein stated, hereby adopt the platform of said convention and pledge ourselves to the earnest support of William J. Bryan and Arthur Sewall, candidates for President and Vice-President."

Other planks demanded a "well regulated license law, based upon the principle of local option," and denounced the Republican State administration. A resolution indorsing the Cleveland Administration was greeted with cheers and hisses, but was rejected by only 21 votes in the affirmative. Judge Bingham and other gold Democrats bolted the convention.

NEW-JERSEY. REPUBLICAN.

April 16, 1896. "The Republicans of New-Jersey affirm their adherence to the Republican policy of protection to American labor. Such a tariff should be imposed upon imports as will afford adequate income for the expenses of the Government, avoid increase of the National debt; revive American industries; restore American wages and re-establish the National prosperity on a sound and stable basis.

"The reciprocity policy adopted by a Republican Administration and destroyed by the Democratic party should be restored.

"We believe that the Monroe Doctrine should be maintained, and that no extension of monarchical institutions should be permitted on this continent on any pre

text.

"The honor of the American flag and the influence of the Nation in its relations with other people must be vigorously and fearlessly maintained. In our diplomacy there should be more of the virile force and emphasis which command respect. Our Navy should be enlarged so that it may be made an effective factor in any controversies which may arise, and our harbors and seacoasts (especially the exposed seacoasts of our Own State) should be protected by an adequate system of defences.

"Recalling the struggles and the suffering of our forefathers to secure liberty and independence, we believe that the practical sympathy of this Nation should be extended to all peoples who have been driven, by oppression and wrong, to take up arms in behalf of the right of selfgovernment,

"The welfare of the country demands that our immigration laws should be amended so as to prevent the admission of all persons whose presence here en

dangers the social order and disastrously affects the interests of the workingmen. "We have always given protection to our shipbuilders. In late years we have neglected to protect our ship-owners. We believe the time has come to return to the policy of Washington and Hamilton, which, by discriminating duties in favor of American bottoms, secured 90 per cent of our carrying trade to American ships. and which, if now restored, would again revive our shipping and cause American freights to be paid to Americans.

"The standard value in this country and in the other principal commercial nations of the world is gold. Wages and prices have been made and fixed in accordance with this standard, and the welfare of the people demands that it should be maintained. We regard the agitation of the free coinage of silver as a serious obstacle to our country's prosperity."

August 27, 1896.-"The Republicans of New-Jersey reaffirm their devotion to the principles and policy which have controlled the party since it came into existence. We indorse and approve in its entirety the platform adopted by the National Convention at St. Louis, and we especially declare our adherence to the principles of protection to American industries and the preservation of the integrity of our currency. We believe that the debasement of the currency by the free coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to 1 would work irreparable injury to every class of our citizens. It means a practical repudiation of public and private debts and the destruction of public confidence, abandonment of enterprises, and a general stagnation of business. It means idle factories, low wages and financial ruin and distress, especially and first of all to the great mass of our people who belong to the wage-earning class. It is to the interest of every voter, and it is the duty of every believer in personal and National honor, to oppose by voice and vote this political and financial heresy. We are unalterably opposed to the proposition_to destroy the protection we now enjoy under the Supreme Court of the United States, the most honored and in the last resort the most necessary institution, and the proposition to restrain the arm of the National Executive from the repression of lawless violence, and we call upon all voters of the State, of whatever political party, to aid in repelling the most violent assault that has ever been made upon the interests of the people and the honor of the Nation.

"We extend a cordial welcome to those of our citizens who, while still identified with the Democratic party, intend to vote for McKinley and Hobart. We acknowledge their assistance, their unselfish patriotism and confidently believe their action will not only merit the approval of their conscience, but that the future will show the wisdom of the same.

"We especially commend the fitness and ability of the candidates presented by the Republican National Convention. We recognize them as the representatives of honesty and integrity of the Republican party; as citizens to whose care our National affairs may safely be intrusted, and we pledge ourselves to the support of

William McKinley and Garret A. Hobart for President and Vice-President."

DEMOCRATIC.

May 7. 1896.-MONEY-We are in favor of a firm, unvarying maintenance of the present gold standard. We are opposed to the free coinage of silver at any ratio and to the compulsory purchase of silver bullion by the Government. We believe that the interests of the people demand that the earnings of trade, agriculture, manufacture and commerce, and especially the wages of labor, should be paid in money of the greatest intrinsic value and of the highest standard adopted by the civilized nations of the world. We are, therefore, unaiterably opposed to all devices and schemes for the debasement of our currency,"

BOND ISSUES-"We believe that the Federal Government should be divorced from the business of banking; we, therefore, demand the repeal of all laws authorizing the issue or reissue of legaltender or Treasury notes by the Government; they should form no part of the currency of the people. We favor enactment by Congress of such legislation as will insure a banking currency, ample in volume for all the needs of business, absolutely secure in every contingency and at all times redeemable in gold."

the

TARIFF "We are opposed to any effort to alter materially the present just and conservative tariff: 1. Because such tariff is sufficient to provide adequate revenue for an economically administered Government. 2. Because it is ample to protect American workingmen from the competition of foreign labor. 3. Because an attempt to alter the present tariff would tend to unsettle the business of the country."

The platform favored liberal expenditures for coast defence and the Navy; indorsed President Cleveland and his stand on the Monroe Doctrine, and advocated recognizing the Cubans as belligerents.

September 9, 1896.The platform indorsed the candidates and the platform adopted by the National Convention at Chicago, insisting that the latter is “thoroughly Democratic and purely American, and with its enforcement we firmly believe that relief will come to the toiling masses and will advance the general prosperity of our country"; opposed combines and trusts; demanded that the tax laws of the State be amended so as to provide for equal taxation for property not used for religious, charitable or educational purposes; favored the abolition of grade-crossings, and denounced the interference of any employer of labor, private or corporate, to coerce or intimidate the voter in the free exercise of the right of suffrage.

SOUND MONEY DEMOCRATS. August 26, 1896.-The platform reaffirmed the policy and principles adopted by the convention on May 7, 1896, and added:

"Since the Democratic party of NewJersey announced these sound principles, an attempt has been made to commit the Democratic party of the Nation to the policy of free, unlimited coinage of legal-tender silver dollars at the legal ra

tio of 16 to 1, and to make such silver dollars the money in which shall be paid all debts, public and private, present and future. Such dollars would be worth about half such coinage ratio. We reject the proposed repudiation and spoliation.

"We condemn the assault upon and the threatened degradation of the Supreme Court of the United States.

"We condemn the approval of mob violence, contained in the censure of a Democratic Administration for suppressing mob violence.

"We condemn all appeals to sectional prejudice and passion, and all attempts to excite and array any part of the people against others.

"The principles announced by the Chicago Convention and advocated by the candidates that convention nominated are not the principles of the Democratic party. Such principles, carried into effect, would dishonor and revolutionize the Government. We refuse to support either the platform or the nominees of that convention.

"We approve the call for a convention to nominate Democratic candidates for President and Vice-President who adhere to and will represent the traditional and time-honored principles of the Democratic party."

SILVERITES.

July 6, 1896.-"Resolved, That this convention demands the free and unlimited coinage of gold and silver at the ratio of 16 to 1, without the concerted action of other countries

"Resolved. That we denounce the attempt to retire the greenbacks and Treasury notes, together with silver, and in their place to substitute interest-bearing bonds to the amount of over $800,000,000, upon which to base a National bank currency, as class legislation of the most infamous nature.

"Resolved. That we denounce the establishment by Congress of the National banking system as an unwarranted and unpatriotic usurpation of authority of the Constitution and the privileges of the people delegated to their Government alone. The bimetallists of New-Jersey are of all parties, and in order to unify and make potent our effort we therefore pledge our untiring efforts and support to the election of any candidate whose reputation is a guarantee, if elected to the Presidency, to carry out the principles herein involved. Believing in the sovereignty of the common people, and that all men are created free and equal, we extend our sympathy to the Cubans in their heroic efforts for freedom."

POPULISTS.

May 30, 1896.-The platform reaffirmed the National platform of 1892 and called upon the National Convention to insert a plank in the platform of 1896 favoring the initiative and referendum," the system of legislation which is initiated by the people, acted upon by legislators and then referred back to the people for their approval or rejection.

SOCIALIST-LABOR.

August 1, 1896.-The platform affirmed that of the National Convention and added