Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-09-01
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM,

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 Of
the whole people, submit the following
declaration Of principles, upon which
they ask the suffrages of the people.
The equality Of all citizens before the
law, equal taxation, impartial legislation,
and free and pure ballot as the corner
stone of free institutions.
Opposition to nonopolies and subsidies
of all kind.
The strictest economy in National,
State and local administrations. that labor
may be likely burdened.
The maintenance 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 in
jury of the latter, is unwise and vicious,
and should be corrected.
Resolved, That the course of the last
Republican Legislature deserves the con-
delnnation of the people for its incompe-
tency, hypocrisy, its unnecessary and
heavy increase in the burdens of taxa
tion, and for the passage of numerous
pernlcious and unconstitutional acts, and
for its reorganization of the State solely
for the purpose and as a medium for the
distribution of spoils.
Resolved, That as the humanities are
non-partisan, and as the treatment of
criminals should be non-political, the
management of the charitable and puni-
tive institutions of the State should be
free from partisan changes or appoint
ments.
Resolved, that we are IN favor of civil
service reform, whereby offices shall be
held to the public trusts to be admins
tered for the public good, not spoils to be
enjoyed as the reward of partisan zeal or
service.
Resolved, That the Democrats of Ohio,
in this year as in all years, are in favor of
the largest individual liberty consistent
with the public order, and are opposed to
legislation merely sumptuary.
Resolved, That the recent discovery of
enormous populations in high Federal
places, and the Republican attempt to
purchase votes by open corruption, should
convince the country that the Republi-
can organization is not worthy of public
confidence
Resolved, That the power delegated to
the General Government "to regulate
commerce among the States" as we'll 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, levied and adjust
ed in its details with view to equity in
the public burdens and the encourage
ment of productive industries without
creating monopolies; and we favor the
appointment of a Commissioner to sug-
gest methods of revision which shall ac-
complish this result.
The committee also recommended the
adoption of the following, though not in
cluding it in the platforms:
Resolved, That we deeply deplore the
recent attempt upon the life of the Presi-
dent of the United States by an assassin
and denounce assassination in Republic
as the highest and most revolving of
crimes, and we extend to the President
and his family our deepest sympathies,
and our earnest hopes that speedy re-
covery may be vouchsafed him.