Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-10-20
New York Platform.

New York Platform.
The following in substance is the
declaration of principles adopted by
the Democratic State convention of
New York:
The Democratic party OF New York
again declares its fidelity to the princi
pies set forth by the New York State
Democratic conventions of 1874, 1875,
and 1876, which were thrice approved
at the ballot boxes by the people OF the
Empire State, and were vindicated by
the wise administration of the Demo
cratic State Executives then chosen,
aud to the principles set forth by the
National Democratic Convention at ST.
Louis, which was approved by decisive
popular and electoral msjorities In the
Presidential election OF 1876. The vic
tories then won in this State and IN
the United States were in the name
and Tor the sake of reform. The peo-
ple were defrauded of the fruits of vic
tory in the federal elections by the false
counts of the electoral votes in 1876,
and fragrant corruption in the election
of 1880. Reform throughout the fed.
eral administration is still a necessity.
The continuing disclosures of new and
hitherto concealed plundering OF the
peoples fund by inner rings in the
Treasury, the Postoffice and the Interior
Departments demonstrate that reform
is now more than ever a necessity. The
assassination of the late President of
the United States was n crime against
authority, against free institutions and
against humanity. We deplore and de.
nounce the crime in all its public aud
private aspects. We extend ss citizens
our most profound coincidence TO the
family OF the murdered Chief Magis.
trAte, and regard with great gratifica.
ton the universal expressions OF sym.
pathy extended by all nations and peo.
pie. We demand the pay ment. prinei.
pie and interest, OF every dollar oil pub
lie indebtedness. "Readjustment Is
Reputation. The act of the Northern
Republican leaders in giving the sup
port Of that party 10 reputation in
Virginia, Mississippi, Minnesota and
other States Is a national disgrace, dan.
gerous as a precedent and destructive
OF the public credit. We indoTse and
applaud the united and honest action
for Democratic principles and candi.
dates of the fifty four Democratic mem.
bers OF the last Legislature. They hon
ored their State, their party aud them.
selves. We denounce the Republican
majority because that majority defeats
every measure of transportation reform
at the bidding OF its masters, the corpo.
rations. Ii prolonged the session OF the
Legislature far into the summer, at an
aggregate expense of 100000 to the
people. II became, in factioual strug-
gle of placemen, the participant in
scandals and crimes which brought dis
honor and disgrace upon the coed name
OF our State. We are in favor OF such
q reform by legislative enactment. as
well - by administrative action, in the
civil service Of the country as will sub.
stitute for the present periodical scram-
BILE for spoils, . wise system OF appoint.
ment and promotion. by which the in.
cumbency of subordinate officers shall
be regulated by Law and depend only
upon capacity and character. and de
mand that no assessments shall be
levied upon public officers for political
purposes. The public welfare demands
that the various questions relating TO
chatered monopolics and the methods
of transportation should be met and
decided, and We are in favor Of the
adoption Of measures 10 restrict the
growing po=er Of such monopolies. We
approve Of the unanimous action Of the
Democratic members of the last Legis.
iature in providing for the early submis
sion 70 the people OF an amendment to
the Constitution in favor of free canals.
The Democratic party, now and always
unalterably opposed 10 Capitalization Of
power in either the State or Federal
Governments, hereby requests its rep.
resentatiyes n the Legislature TO pro
mote and mako effective an amendment
= :n thr Constitution, which nhall extend
the principle and the powers Of local
seIEeovernment 70 the cities Of the
State. To the record Of the Democra.
cy Of New York We point with conf
dence. We challenge . comparison OF
ila record with that furnished by the
factions. which were once the Republi.
can party OF this State. To the caudi.
dates of this convention we pledge .
hearty support, and We confidently sub
INIT our action - the representatives OF
free Democracy 10 the good people OF
this commonwealth for their verdict at
the polls.
NNvnn forsaf that hs1fastenees and com