The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-01
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Adopted at the Galveston State Com
yentiOn.

Yenti0n.
The Democracy of Texas, in con-
vention assembled, reannounee the
primal elements of Democratic faith
as constituting the unchanging faith
of the Democrats of Texas, and relies
upon the intelligence and integrity OF
the people for the success:
1. That all men are politically
equal, and that the objects of govern
ment are subverted when legislation
recognizes distinctions between per-
sons, or favors one class OF business
pursuits at the expense OF another,
and by any means impoverishes the
many to enrich the few.
2. We oppose Capitalization, and
that dangerous and growing spirit of
encroachment which tends to consoli-
date the powers of all the departments
of government into one, and thus
creates the real despotism, whatever
be the form of government.
8. That we are opposed TO the
present system of national banks OF
issue; that we favor the free and
honest coinage of gold and silver.
and are in favor of paper
currency consisting of treasury
notes of the government gold and
silver certificates, based on bullion
desposited, sufficient in volume with
gold and silver to answer all OF the
business and commercial purposes
of the people, and a strict mainte-
nance of the public faith. state and
national.
1. We are opposed to protective tar
if, believing it to be unjust and detri-
mental to the best interests of our
people, and are in favor of tariff for
revenue only.
.. We favor the subordination Of
the military to the civil powers of the
government, and a genuine and thor
ough reform of the civil service.
9. We declare that the right to a full
and free ballot is right preservative
of all rights, and should be sacredly
maintained In every part of the United
States.
7. We favor free ships and living
chance for American commerce on the
seas and on land.\ No discrimination
in favor of transportation lines or
monopolies.
8. The Democratic party proposes
to protect labor and the laboring men
of our country, and pledges itself to
| protect them alike against the cor
morants and the commune.
o. We declare that liberal provi-
sion should be made to endow with
the public lands set apart for the pay
ment of the public debtor the pro
ceeds of the sales of the same
the state university and its
branches, but in no case should any
portion of the common school lands or
fund be used for this purpose. We
/ further declare that the debts due the
university and common school funds
of Texas. denominated as of doubtful
validity, should be recognized and
| paid, with the Interest due thereon.
10. We favor the fullest education
! of the masses, white and c0lored, III
separate common schools, and the ad-
Vanced education of the youths OF the
country in our higher schools and
state university. We favor the main
tenance of normal schools Tor the Ill
struction of teachers.
IL. We favor the submission TO the
people of constitutional amendment
authorizing the levy and collection OF
a special school tax, separate from the
general revenues, to the end that ar
efficient system of public tree schools
may be maintained, and that the STATE
tax may be reduced to the actual ne
cessities of the state government.
IL. We favor the protection of th'
public school lands of the state from
waste and sacrifice, and pledge our
selves to secure returns from sal,
lands commensurate with the Tea
value of the same.
l3. We declare that the railroad
and other corporations are subOrdinatt
and subject to the control of politic;l
power of the states and of the genera
go, ernment. in their respectiy
spheres of constitutional authority, b,
such conservative legislation as vii
protect the rights of the people an
will enforce the provisions of our con
stitutiOn, without injury to the JUS
interests of those corporations
Ii. We deprecate and protest agains
the continuous increase OF the 1uriS
diction of the federal courts az sui
versive of the rights of the people
civil liberty and local government
, rs contemplated by the founders o
our government.
IS. As heretofore, we demand tn
strictest economy in the administrS
ton of every department Of the gov
, ernment, consistent with efficient an
full execution of the laws.
10. Recognizing these rs the grea
principles of the Democratic party
principles upon which our civil libert
J and free institutions are based-w
appeal to all lovers of the Union, tn
constitution and the government, b
the people in the state Of Texas to a:
) sist in the maintenance and success c
the same as essential to the individuS
rights of the citizen and general we
. fare of the country.