The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-07-19
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
Adopted at Columbus, July 18th,
1881.

1Ooxs
PREAMBLE: The Democrats OF Ohio
proud of their citizenship in this great
State, for the purpose OF maintaining
the prosperity Of the commonwealth
and to promote the welfare and happiness
o. the whole people, submit The follow
ing declaration Of principles upon which
they ask the suffrages of the people:
The equality OF all people before the
law, equal taxation, political legisla-
ton, and free and pure ballot IS the
corner stone of free Institutions; oppo-
stlon TO monopoies and subsidies OF all
kinds; the strictest economy in National,
SAFE and local admiuistt tations. that la
bor may be lightly burdened the main
teuance and advancement OF the common
school system.
RESOLVED, That the abuses of the pres
ent contract system in our State Prison,
by which the products OF criminal labor
are brought into competition with the
products OF honest labor, to the great
injury OF the latter, is vicious and uu-
wise, and should be corrected.
Resolued, That the course of the last
Republican Legislature deserves the con-
demnation of the people for its incom-
potency, hypocrisy, its unnecessary and
heavy increase in the burdens of taxa
tion, and for the passage OF unconstitu-
tional acts, and for its reorganization Of
the benevolent institutions of the State
solely Tor the purpose and as medium
tor the distribution OF spoils.
Resolved, That as the humanities are
nor-partisan, and as the treatment Of
criminals should be non-political, the
management of tue chsritsble punitive
institutions of the State should be free
from partisan change or appointments
RESOLVED, That We are in favor of q
civil service reform whereby offices shall
be held to be public trusts to be admin.
stered for the public good, not spoils to
be enjoyed as the reward Of partisan
zeal or service 90 .
Resolved, That the Democrats of
Ohio, in this year, as in all years, are 10
favor of the largest individual liberty
consistent with the public order, and are
opposed to legislation merely sumptuary.
Resolpsd. That the recent discovery
of enormous peculations in high Federal
places, and the Republican attempt to
purchase votes by corruption, should
convince the country that the Republi-
can organization is not worthy OF pub.
lie confidence.
Resoiued, That the power delegated
to the General Government "to regulate
commerce among the Stale," as well as
the power reserved to the States to regu-
late commerce within their own borders,
should both be exercised to prevent un-
just determinations and unreasonable
charges by our railroads A tariff for
revenue levie and adjusted in its details
with a view to eqllty in the public bur-
dens and the encouragement of produc.
tive industries without creating monopo-
lies, and we favor the appointment OF a
commission to suggest method of re-
vision which shall accomplish this re-
suit.
The committee also recommend the
adoption OF the following, though not
included in the platform
Resolped, That we deeply deplore the
recent attempt upon the life OF the. .Presi.
dent OF the United States by an assassin,
and denounee assassination in republic
as the highest and most revolving Of
crimes, and we extend to the President
and his family onr deepest sympathies
aad our earnest hopes that speedy re-
coyery be youchsafed to him.