The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1882-09-21
DEMOCRATIC STATE PLATFORM.

Whereas: The Democratic party of the State of
Kansas, in convention assembled, recognizing the
people the source of all political power and the
Constitution Of the United States and the State OF
Kansas as the fundamental laws of the land, and
that the chief object and end of Government is to
protect and defend its citizens in the enjoyment of
life, liberty and property does, declare its political
purposes as follows:
Resolved That we have an abiding faith in the
wisdom patriotism and capacity Of the people for
self government, and our system of government is
based upon the theory of personal manhood and in
dividua responsibilities; that in the administration
of public affairs but little should be trusted to the
Government, but much to the people. and TO the
responsibility Of the citizens.
Resolved, That We will defend and ever main
tain the doctrine OF equal rights to all and special
privileges to none; the protection of the weak
against the strong; equal and just taxation. free
speech. free press free schools and free uninter-
rupted ballot fairly given and honOrably counted.
freedom for all men and women Of every race creed
and color, and absolute separation Of Church and
State.
Resolved, That we demand revision of the pre-
sent unjust tariff laws of the United States. No
kind of industry should be fosered by this Govern
ment to the injury of another; class of should
he taxed directly indirectly for the comfort con-
venence interest of another that every dcscrip-
ton Of industry should stand or fall upon its own
merits. and We especially demand that agricultural
pursuits and productions be encouraged and made
free from all unjust discrimination in favor Of gut
tonous and selfish corporations.
Resolved, That We maintain that the State has
and must retain the power to control and regulate
the rights and duties of all corporations created BY
it, and demand that the Legislature exercise
this power to protect the people against unjust
discrimination and exorbtan charges for the trans
pOrtaton of freight and passengers by railroad cor
pOrations, and we particularly demand the enact
ment of such laws as will COMPEL all corporations
existing by favor of the laws of this State to keep
and MAINTAIN their general Offices within the State
Resolved, That demand civil and religious lib.
erty. absolute and perfect, for every American ei
zen, and We declare now, ever have, that our
sympathes are with the poor, the weak and the OI-
pressed of every land, and that the American Union
is and shall ever remain the asylum and refuge, up
GU terms of honor and equality, of every lover Of
personal liberty; and we further demand that the
sanctty of American citizenship at home and abroad
shall ever have instant and effective protection and
defense by the Fedral Government its ministers and
agents. regardless of courty forms courtly rowns
and we particularly extend TO the heroic people Of
Ireland our hearty sympathy, and we bid them God
speed in their gallant struggles for life and liberty
and for homes of their future.
Resolved. That demand that the Congress of
the United States pass and canse to be enforced
such laws will secure thorough, honest and rad
zeal civil service reform by which the subordinate
positions of the Government service shall be no Ion
vice, ard which viii abolish the evils of the present
patronage system and establish the rule Of making
honesty, efficiency and fidelity the essential and
~ qualifications for public positions. We have had
shans and false pretenses enough and now dema nd
something earnest. honest and equal.
Resolved. That demand that the relation be-
tween capital and labor be so adjusted by wise and
Just legislation to secure TO each its just rights, and
at the same time, to make il impossible for
ayarce and greed 10 override and mperil the rights
interests personal freedom and independence of
working men, and we demand that every law, com
bination and policy that is unjust to and onerous
upon those engaged in manual labor, be removed
and utterly destroyed.
Resolved, That we are in favor Of judicious ap-
preparations for the improvements of our great Ma
tional water ways, but We denounee the reckless
and criminal eNtrayagance of the present Congress
in its expenditures of public money for useless and
fraudulent purposes, and especially condemn the
passage Of thu shameless river and harbor BILL and
take this occasion to thank the President Of the
United States for his action in vetoing that mi
quitous steal.
Resolved, That demand an immediate reduc-
ton of ta1es-Federal. State and Municipal-to the
lowest rates sufficient to meet all public dues and
obligations So long the people are burlened
with debt the industries of the country suspen-
ded by labor strikes, and thousands Of men are out
Of employment by reason of the tyranny svarice and
cupidty Of exaetng and oppressive monOpolists. II
is neither right nor just to collect money from the
people to be squandered by inconsistent and cor
rupt Congress in the pretended improvement Of
steam harbors and waterless rivers, and further
demand that the surplus money in the treasury be
applied in payment of our National debt
Resolved, That demand that the Congress of
the United States propose and submit TO the States
for their action such amendment of our Federal
Constitution rs will accomplish the following OBJ
ieets:
First-The election Of the President and Vice
President by direct vote of the people.
Seeond-The extension of the time Of Office Of Pro
sdent and Vice President to six years, and making
the President Ineligible for a second term.
Ihlru-lhe electOn oil United States Senators by
direct vote Of the people Of the United States res
pectively.
Fourth-Fixing the time Of Office Of Senators the
same as the Presidential time. and of Representa-
tives in Congress at four years.
Fnth-The election Of postInasters by a direct
vote of the people Of the city, town district in
which the oftce is located.
Sixth-That We demand the biennial sessions Of
Congress.
Seventh-The elections for all the Federal officers
to be under the control Of the Federal Government
and to be held at n time. other than the time Of ho
ding State elections-
Resolved, That demand that fees and COM
pensations paid all officers, Federal, State and Mu
nicipal. be 40 regulated to give a fair and just
compensation for services performed, but not 90 as
TO tempt the applicants to adopt corrupt methods to
obtain Offices, or to impose unjust burdens upon the
people
Resolved, That We demand the enactment Of ad-
ditional and more stringent laws, both Federal and
State for the punishment Of bribery and corruption
in Office and to secure the purity Of elections gen.
eral, special and primary.
Resolved, That we are opposed 10 monopoiies Of ev
cry kind. believing them TO be at with the best in
terests Of the country. imperiiRg lite power prosper
ty and security. and contrary TO the genius spirit Of
free institutions.
Resolved. That opposed 10 the doctrine Of
womans suffrage When any respectable number Of
worthy and respectable in this State shall ~
quest the right TO vote shall not oppose the sub