Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1882-08-17
The Platform of tho Demo-
cratic Party.

in State Convention assembled, rcalIirming
the principles and declarations Of tho State
platforms Of 1876 and 1878, and their
continued devotion to tho principles of the
National Democratic Party, aud pledging
to that party their earnest cooperation and
support, declare the following principles as
formulating tho policy of the South Carolina
Democracy in State and Federal affairs, npd
invite the aid und support of all good
citizens in carrying them into effect:
l. Wise aud just legislation, the Impair
tial administration Of equal laws, economy
with efficiency in every department of the
State government.
g. Popular education is the bulwark of
free institutions. Liberal appropriations
for the public schools for the whole people
3. The systematic efforts of tho RcpubIi-
licon party to obstruot reform and destroy
good government in South Carolina by
turning to partisan purposes tho appointing
power of tho Federal Government is
standing menace to the people of this State
and a growing danger to good citizens in
every part of tho Union. The Federal
Offices in this State are made political in
firmarcs and training schools for the dcfsat
of honest government in South Carolina.
4. Honest home rule. The Democracy
OF South Carolina, representing the tax
payers of the Stuto and majority of the
whole people, invite and have the right to
expect the sympathy and support of their
fellow countrymcn in their strenuous efforts
to preserve uu intelligent aud equal admin
istrntion of the government
o. The practice of packing jurics 10
political cases in the United States Courts
in this State is criminal violation of the
inalicnablo right of every citizen to fair
trial by jury Of his peers.
.. The extension of tho franchise, as
political result Of the late var, has enlarged
enormously the number of present aud
prospective voters requiring cducuton ia
tho public schools. The burden was in
creased, while the ability of the State to
bear it was diminished. Tho Federal Co
vernment, BY liberal appropriations from
the Treasury, on the basis Of illteracy,
should help The Southern Stutcs to curo
the evil Of non.inteligcnt suffrage A
national danger calls for national action and
national aid
I. Civil service reform, appointments to
minor Offices under tests that will indicate
the qualifications of the applicant, promo
tion by merit, a fixed tcnur, of oilico aud
no removals, except for cause.
Q. BlackmalinS public servants, under
the guise of political assessments, converts
the public treasury, to the extent of the
contributions called for, into campaign
fund for tho advancement of poiitca,
party, thus taxing tho whole people fo,
partisan purposes.
g. The present protective tariff robs the
many for the benefit of the few. The
duties on imports should be decreased and
an carly repeal Of the duty on cotton ties,
on the machinery used in the manufacture
OF cotton and wool, and on tools and agri-
cultural implements, will stimulate manu-
lao:urcs and be welcome relief to the
farmer and laborer.
lO. 1t is most desirable that tho internal
revenue taxation bc abolished, so soon as
TINS can be accomplished without rendering
permanent the existing protective system.
Nigld economy in the conduct of the go
vernment will hasten the day when the
tariff shall be as moderate as in tho early
days of tho Republic and the army of office
helders employed under the internal reve-
nuc laws be disbapdcd.
ii. Tho public credit, national and
State, must be rcligiously maintained
IL. In tho conduct of affairs in this
State the Democracy have boon actuatcd by
but one dessre, and that is to promote the
greatest good of tho State. OuIy within
tho Democratic party and by party action
can defective legislation be rcmcdicd with
out lmpcriing the safety and we'll boing Of
tho State. Democratic upity is public
safety and private security.
IL. In tho State, Justice ard equality
for oil, to insure harmony and good will
between tho races. In the Union, no SEQ
t'onaIism in policy or feeling. An indisso-