The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-08-16
THE PLATFORM.

before the vote was announced
THE PLATFORM.
Hon. James E. Bailey. Chairman
Of the Committee on Resolutions and
Platform, made the following report
The Democratic party of Tennessee in
convention assembled, relying as ever
upon the intelligence of the people, and
their capacity for self-gOYernment-an
firmly adhering to the fundamental
truths of the constitution, submit to the
sober judgment of the people the follow
ing declaration of its principles:
l. We do hereby heartily approve and
ratify the action of the National Conven-
tiOn recently assembled at st. Louis, in
its nominations for President and Vice
President of the United States-and in
the declaration of principles adopted by
it as the platform of the party.
/ 2. We recognize in the Hon. Samuel
J. Tilden, of New York, and the Hon.
Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana-the
| distinguished nominees of the party
men Of great purity, unquestiOned integ
rity and unsurpassed ability as states
| men; men who are consecrated to the
work of Reform; who are the defenders
| of the right, and the uncompromising
enemies of public pIunderers; and who
in their eXaltatiOn to the highest places
in the gift of American freemen will
neither forget that they are still the ser
wants of the American people, nor be-
tray the trusts cOnfided to them: and we
do hereby, with cheerful hearts, accept
the assurance which comes of their can
didacy that in the administration of the
government we are soon to return to the
purer and better days of the Republic.
g. We deprecate and condemn all in
fractions of laws made for the protection
of the person, property and political
rights of the citizen, and demand for the
entire people, without regard to race or
color a rigid and impartial enforcement
of the same.
A. We condemn the decentralization of
silver and favor the restoration of the sill |
yer dollar to its former legal tender |
standard
5. We are utterly opposed to the re- |
pudiation of any obligation justly due to |
the creditors of the State or National !
Government
We declare ourselves aligned with the |
National Democracy as to the duty of |
the Federal Government to redeem its /
pledges and meet all its obligations as
soon as may be consistent with the bust
ness interests of the country, and in such |
manner as to avoid forced and unwise !
contraction.
In harmony with this enunciation of
sound principles by the National Democ-
racy, we declare our intention to meet
and pledge ourselves to the payment of
all debts and obligations Justly due by
the State of Tennessee.
For the present, however, because of
depression in business, shrinkage in val
ues, the prostration of all industries and.
impOveTishment of our people, we are
unable to endure, and are, therefore, OPP
posed to any increase of taxatioh-and
in view of this condition of the State it |
behOoves us as people to begin at once
a thorough system of the most rigid
economy, retrenchment and reform in
all the departments of the State Govern
ment.
We favor the abolition of all unneces
sary offices, the proper reduction of all
excessive salaries and all necessary re-
forms in the law, 80 to make its exc
cutiOn speedy, just and certain.
j. E BAILEY, Chairman.
Col. George R. Phelan submitted
the following minority report:
We, the undersigned, have the honor
to submit the following minority report
from your Committee on Resolutions
and Platform:
Strike out the words, =" We are unable
to endure, and are, therefore, opposed to
an increase of taxation" and insert the
following: "Oppose the imposition up
on the people at this time of taxes ex-
,eeding the amount necessary to carry
On the State Government economically ]
and pay interest on the
'und and bonds actually held by educa-
ional institutions throughout the State" ]
Strike out the third clause of the fifth |
ection of the majority report and insert: &
"That an equitable adjustment ought {
o be made of the bonded debt of the t
State, alike honorable to the State and '
he bondholders, and that the details of c
his question should be referred to the L
lext Legislature for consideration and a
ction." Q
(Jo. c. STARK, f
Committee. J. III. JAMESON,
GEO. r. PHELAN. s
NJ, Ton,;,on of P,tboreord al t.