The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-04-03
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM,
Aaop4pd BY the state Convention, AZ
Albany, March 1e, 1874.

AlbaAy, March ~, 40S4s
l. We declare our unfaltering devotion to
the Constitution Of the United states ana 70
the union Of The States thereby established I
and we affirm that the people. OF The several
States have the sole and exclusive right Oi
governing themselves as free, sovereign, and
Independent States, subject only 70 .the hlnita-
tions offhe Constitution and that all powers not
there In expressly granted 10 the national Gov
eifment are reserved lOthe states respective
and we deny the right Of the federal govern
" dornIclIe M0ngolians within any State with.
out the consent OF the Legislature thereof.
2. We affirm that the greatest danger with
which we are now threatened Is the corruption
and gxtTayagance which exists In high official
flacess and we do declare, as the cardinal
principle OF our future political action, that
retrenchment, economy, and reform are i'm.
pcratively demanded In all the Governments
Of the people, Federal. as well as State and
municipal and we here proclaim ourselves the
unc0mpt0fnising foes Of the salary grab law,
ring politicians, and land monopolists, who
everthey may be, and wherever they may be
found, whether they are In office or ont, and
we appeal 10 honest men everywhere, without
regard to past political affiliations. to Join US
in branding as they deserve these corrupt
leechea on the body polite, and assisting us 10
purge official stations OF their unwholesOmo
and baneful presence.
s. Tho present Federal Administration,
by It's utter inability TO comprehend the dignity
or responsibilities OF the duties with which 1t Is
charged; by It's devotion TO personal and parti-
San 1nfcrrsts; by It's weak and incompetent
management Of the national finances by Its
unwarrantable interference with the local self
government Of the people by It's support fthe
corrupt Governments which II has imposed by
its power upon several Of the States OF the Tn
ion by its completely with corrupt practices
and scandals In various quarters and by its
appointment Of 0fnOlOrlously Incompetent men TO
high official positions, has Justly brought upon
itself the condemnation Of the American peo-
pie.
4. That the perslsting Interference offederals
in local elections and the use Of large sums OF
money TO defeat the voice ofthe people through
the ballot box, deserves and has our seyercst
condemnation.
s. That corporation are tho creations Of law
That their franchise and privileges are granted
TO subserve the public interests; and when
these are used TO snbvet the objects Of their
creation but for purposes Of oppression and ex-
tortion we declare IL TO be the right and duty
Of the legislature to regulate and control such
corporations In their dealings with the peo
pie; and especially those engaged In the bus
iness Of common carriers.
o. That we favor n speedy return 10 specie
payment just and equal taxation for the sup
port OF the Federal and State Governments
and that we are opposed to all determinations
in the assessments OF Federal revenue for tho
purpose OF protection.
Z. That the free navigation and improve
ment OF the Columbia river the construction
OF breakwater at Port Oxford the improve
inent OF the COquille and Willamette rivers,
and the construction Of the Portland, Dalles
and SAT- Lake railroad are imperatively de-
Inanded by the commercial interests OF this
State, and that the Federal Government ought
by all PROPER measures; That we are In favor
Of the Bill now before Congress- generally
known as the Portland, Dalles Salt Lake
hrilr0n1 Bill, and we also favor tho carly COM
pletlOn Of the Oregon California Railroad 10
the Southern boundary Of the State.
3. That we deprecate all measures In the in
tefest 0f capitalists and monopoists, against
In n1Or balinviun that n
be made; should be in favor Of the laboriDg
class, who constitute the mass Of our citizens,
the producers q the wealth and prosperity OF
our country. We therefore approve OF tho do |
clared principles, and sympathse with the
nvowed object Of tho organization known as
the Patrons OF Husbandry and with thosc Of
oil other orders, having for their objects re.
trcnchment and reform In public affairs, and |
the social advancement OF the people,
9. That we are opposed to n monopoly In the |
publication and sale Uf books used IN the epm- |
mon schools OF this State, and we are In favor |
Of amending the existing law IN relation 70 |
such books so rs TO take away from tho pub
fishers Of the Pacific Coast Series Of Readers
and Spoilers the special privileges in relation |
thereby, which they nuW enjoy.
TO- That the act relating 10 The fees OF Sher. |
ms ana Clerks ought TO be 80 amended either |
by making such offices salaried, or by redue |
ing the fees now attached TO the same as shall
make tho compensation received by such ni- |
cers fair remnneration and nothing more for |
the services required of them. Tint the Con. |
stitution be so amended that all printing for |
the state after the expiration Of the term OF I
th0 State printer In office when such nm1nd. |
ment is passed, shall be provided for by letting |
the same TO the lowest responsible bidder |
Ihat The rates for litigant printing should be
reduced 50 as TO correspond as nearly as may
DO with those charged for private advertise.
ments
II. That the only legitimate object Of Gov.
ernment Ia the protection Of It's citizens In |
their lives, liberty and property, and the INr-
SUIT OF happiness that 10 accomplish this end !
direct means only should be res0rted L0 that |
the good resulting from departure from this
rlle ls temporary, the evil lasting, We are,
therefore, opposed 10 the State engaging In the
purchase, leasing or speculating In property Of
any Kind, except such only aa Is necessary for
conducting the ordinary functions OF tho Gov
ernment.
u. That we favor the immediate construction
q good and seryicable wagon road along the
south bank OF the Columbia river from the
mouth Of the Sandy river to the DalcA.
III. That the compensation OF all officers
should be only such as Will be Just remuner-
latten for their services
". That we ara IN favor OF Congressional mid
iUf the construction OF tho Portland, Dallcs
iilg the Oregon Central Railroad from st. JO.
,eRh 70 Junction City, all OF which is respect
fully submitted.
lsignedi G. h. BELLINGER, chm.
The following amendments were
unanimously adopted tH
Resolved. That We arc in favor OF the ropcal
of the Ltlgant Act.
Resolved, that wo aro ia favor Of free trade
md direct taNntiou