The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-06-28
Platform of the Tennessee Democracy

HchSCe Ill CONVENTION dSbcHlDlcu w uc-
clare.
l. That whereas, the administra-
ton of Governor VIM. b. Bate, has
been proven faithful and wise, we
heartily endorse the same.
2. That we regard the settlement
of the debt of the State OF Tennessee,
made by the last Legislature as final
and pledge ourselves to the faithful
maintenance of the same.
g. That we favor such Legislation
as will compel railroad property to
bear its just proportion of necessary
taxation.
4. That We favor the regulation
of railroads by a commission for that
purpose, so as to protect the roads in
all their rights and the people from
extortion and from unjust and unfair
discrimination.
5. That we favor the promotion and
encouragement OF popular educa-
ti0n.
6. That we declare that no more
taxes should be levied on the State
Government than is absolutely neces-
sary to defray the current expenses of
the same administered with the most
rigid economy, to meet the accruing
interest upon the funded debt, and
liquidate the same in accordance with
the contract. But If by the practical
operation OF our revenue system, more
money has been or should accumulate
in the treasury than is needed for
these purposes We favor the appro-
priatiOn of the same by the proper
fiscal officers of the State under safe
and proper legislative restrictions to
the extinction of the States indebted
ness.
7. Justice and sound policy forbid
the Federal Government to foster any
branch of industry to the detriment of
another, or to cherish the Interest of
one portion to the injury of another
portion of our common country, and
hence we denounce the present tariff
as a master piece of injustice, ine-
quality and false pretense. 1t prohib-
its imports that might purchase the
products OF American labor. 1t has
degraded American commerce from
the first to an inferior rank on the
high seas. 1t has cut down the sales
OF American manufacturers Mt home
and abroad, and depleted the returns
OF American agriculture and industry
followed by over half of the American
people. 1t costs the people five times
more than it produces to the Treas.
ury, obstructs the processes OF produc
tion and wastes the fruits of labor
II promotes frauds, fosters smuggling
enriches dishonest officials and bank
rupts honost merchants. 1t accumu
lates Il corruption fund in the vault,
OF the Government to poison oflicia
action and dedauch the pnblic con
science. We favor a reduction of tn,
tariff and demand that no more reye
nue. be raised than is required to de
fray the legitimate expenditures o
the government economically admin
istered, and revenue raised for am
other purpose, whether by Custom
House, taxatson, or otherwise, and un
authorized by the Constitution, bu
this convention here assembled hereb,
pledges itself to cheerfully support tn
platform adopted by the Nationa
Democratic party at the Chicago Con
/ vention, not only on the tariff, but OF
ali measures of reform.
. s. We denounce the Republican
party because the logic of its long leas
of power coupled with the duplicit
: and sham pretences evidenced by il
platform recently adopted in this Stat,
and also at Chicago, shows that it
the settled purpose of the real leaC
ers of that party to subvert local sell
Government and erect on its ruin an
n the poverty of the masses consolid.
t ted despotism.