Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1878-05-28
Platform OF the Pennsylvania
Democrats.

The Democrats of the Key
Stone State, on last Thursday met
in convention, and issued a ring
ing platform, and on it they pro-
pose to tackle the Republican
party. In earnest.
The following is the first part of the
PLATFORM: The Democracy OF Penn
., ,lvania unanimously declare that
the Republican party, its measure and
It's men are responsible for the finan-
cixl distress, the misery and want
that now exists: it has had control OF
the legislation of the country and has
enacted and perpetrated pniicy that
has enriched the few and impOverish-
ed the many; the system OF huance
has been one of favor to the mOneyed
monopoly, of unequal taxation, eX-
emptiOn of classes, of high rates of
interest ard of remorseless cOntrac-
ton, which has destroyed every ell
terprise that gave employment To Ia
bor; it's present hold upon Federal
power was secured by fraud, perjury
and forgery /; its laws are unjust and
its practices are immoral; they dis
tress the people and destroy their sub-
stance. The only remedy for these
evils is in an entire change of policy
and the dethronement of those III
mower. and we resolve that the fur
ther contraction of the volume of
United States legal tender notes is un-
Wise and unnecessary they should
be received for customs, duties and re-
issued as fast as received. Gold and
sike and United States legal tender
notes at par there with. are the just
basis for paper circulation. A close
connection of the Federal Govern
ment with the business interests OF
the people through national banks
tends to monopoly and C ntraiizaLion,
but in changing the system unifOrmi-
~ of n0tes, security of the nOtebOlder
and protection of the capital invested
should be provided for. Ire sury
notes issued in exchange for bonds
bearing low rate of interest. is The
best form in which the credit of the
Government can be given to paper
currency. Labor and capital have
equal demands upon and equal respon-
sibilIties to law. Commerce and man
ufacturers should be encouraged so
that steady employment and fair
wages may be yielded to labor, while
safety of Investment aud moderate re-
turn for its use belonging To capital,
and violence of breaches of order in
support of the real or supposed rights
of either should be promptly suppress
ed by the strong arm OF the law.
The Republican party by its legisla-
ton in 1872, which reduced the tariff
upon bituminOus coal from one dollar
aud twenty-five to IS cents per ton |;
upon irOu, steel. wood. metals, paper,
glass, leather, and all manufacturers
OF each of them 10 per cent, struck a
fatal blow at the industries aud labor
of Pennsylvania.
The public lauds are the common
property of the people and they
should not be sold to spectators nor
granted to railroads or other corpora
lions, but should be reserved as home
steads for actual settlers.
Our public debt should be held at
home and the bonds representing II
ought to be of small denominations
in which the savings of the masse 5
may be safely invested. Thorough
| investigation into the electoral frauds
of 1876 should be made, the fraud
should be exposed. the truth vindicat-
ed aud the criminals be punished, but
we oppose any attack upon the Presi-
| Dental title as dangerous to our iustl-
| tuition and fTuitl, SIS in its results.
The platform was unanimously
| adopted.
The convention then proceeded to
ballot and Andred H. Dill, of Union
county. was nOminsted Governor on
| the Sd ballot. H p. Ross of, Mont
gomery. was nominated Judge of the
Supreme Court on the lst ballot.