The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-08-31
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.

met in Nashville last week. adapted
the following. The dog law see
ton was discussed and cussed consider
ably, but passed by small majority;
Resolved, that we resfiirm the
principles Of the platform adopted by
the National Convention Of the Re-
publican party at Cincinnati in June
last; that we most cordially accept the
the candidates there presented to the
American people Tor President and
Vice President of the United States,
and that we recognize in the personal
character and political record of Ruth
erford d. Hayes and William A.
Wheeler such a ticket for integrity
and ability as has never before been
excelled in the history OF American
politics.
Resolved, that We reafirm the
principles and policy Of the Republ-
can party of Tennessee as proclaimed
by the Republican convention of the
State in Nay last; that We Dow, as
then, express CUR distrust of the Dem
ocratic party; and that we regard the
traditions, principles, tendencies and
leaders as alike dangerous and de-
structive 10 the best interests of The
people Of or local commonwealth aud
the tranquility OF the nation.
Resolved. that we demand the re-
peal OF all laws discriminating between
the rich and poor; that We are opposed
to the present system of convict labor
as practiced by the Democracy, as
degrading IL its tendencies and oppIes-
sive To the interests of the honest,
toiliDg masses Of the people, and that
we favor the immediate repeal of all
odious legislation, and especially the
unjust and unequal tax laws of the
State.
Resolved, that we are opposed to
and emphaticelly denounce the policy
of the Democratic party of Tennessee.
that has resulted in squandering our
railroads, in directing the lien the
people held on them for the money
expended for their construction, by
add through which policy the tax
payers of the State have been detraud-
| ed out of more than ten millions of dol
lars.
| Resolved, that We regard the con-
duct of the Tennessee Democracy in
collecting a forty cent tax and then
refusing to meet the interest on the
State debt, while accommodating a fund
for which no legal use has been pre-
scribed or is proposed, as unjust and
degrading to the honest tax. payers,
and as furnishing the character of our
people abroad.
We demand a revision of the State
revenue laws, and 4 more just and
efficient enforcement of them, so that
the collection of ali lawful taxes may
be certain and speedy. The effect of
the present system is to make the
payment Of taxes voluntary merel y;
and the consequence is that those who
pay willingly, pay the proportions of
those who refuse to pay at all and in
proportion ms the taxes levied are not
collected, the rate of taxation is I'M
Justly and unnecessarily increased.
We are in favor Of repeal Of the
legislation which levies upon the mer>
chants of the State license tax in
addition to the tax advalorem on their
capital invested. The present system
is double taxation Of mercantile cap
ital; and the consumer pays the tax
as the merchant necessarily adds it to
the price of his goods; besides, our
commerce is crippled, our merchants
being unable to compete with the
merchants Of other States who pay
such Onerous tax.
Resolved, that We are opposed to
the prostitution of the State peniten-
tiary from the refornatOry purpose
for which it was originally founded,
by making it an instition for specula-
ton, in bring convict labor in competi-
ton with the mechanics and other
laboring men Of the country. We
say Imprisonment should be of such a
character as to elevate and reform the
prisoner instead Of sinking him be-
meath the degradation of the slave,
and i'll so doing degrading the inno-
cent poor who have TO make their
dread by the sweat of their brow"
by forcing them to compete with con-
victs and tclons.
We demand honest and fair cleo
tione, and to secure them we insist
that the Legislature shall pass a law
prohibiting more than two of the
! Judges and one of the clerks being of
the same political party; and, in the
absence of such legislation, we ask,
us right from the County Courts, the
recognition of this principle in the APP
pointment Of judges and clerks of cleo
tions. As further security for free
dom Of elections. we ask the passage
Of law requiring that all ballots
shall I've printed or written on white
paper, having no marks, devices are dis.
tinguishing features, and making all
others void.
While cheerfuliy recognizing the
UNREASONABLE right of our opponents
to exercise their own Judgment upon
all public questions, to vote as they
please, and to express at ali times and
everywhere their sentiments, We de.
mand the cone; ssion Of the same rights
to ourselves. We denounce all pro-
scription, all 0stracism for opinions
sake. and proclaim all attempts to in
hueace the elective franchise by
threats, Intimidation or bribery as ut
terly suhversive of the fundamental
principles on which government by
the people is instituted.
Resolved, that We demand reform
in the administration of the State
government, lessening of the num-
Der of general officers, and thorough
reorganization of the Judiciary of the
State, 50 as TO REQUIRE of Judges to