The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-07-31
The Platform Presented by Con. Butler ~
the Democratic Convention at Chicago.

the Democratic Convention at Chicago.
Resolred, That no taxes, direct or Indirect.
can BE- rightiully imposed upon the people, ex-
cept to meet the expenses Of an economics ly
administered government To bring taxation
down to this point Is true administrative rcve-
Rrs0lced, Tha. the PEOPLE will tolerate direct
taxation Tor the ordinary iy .xpenses Of the Gov
kes0tred, Therefore, that the revenue neces-
eary for such expenses should be raised by Gus
toms duties upon imports after the manner Of
Resolred, That in ievying such duties two
principles should be carefully observed:
l. That all materials used in the arts and man.
ufactures. and the neccssartcs OF life not pro-
duced in this country, snail come IN free: and
that all articles OF luxury should be taxed us
high as possible up TO thc collection point.
2. That n impos NJ customs duties, the law
must be carefully adjusted to promote American
enterprises and industries, not create monopo-
lies, and 10 cherish aud foster American labor.
Faithful indust y IL the basis on which tho
whole fabric OF civilization rests. Cnder our
system toilers aud producers, the mass of the
people, are the governing power. Being the true
Democracy. they demand the fullest considera-
tion Of measures for their education. their ad-
vancement and their protection.
Labor and capital are allies, not enemies. No
done its duty to the other. Under existing law.
State and national, oil such controversies can
only be settled by brute force, capital starving
labor and labor despoiling capital, the conten-
but capital Is strong. labor fs weak. Therefore
labor has right to demand of the Government
| to establish tribunals in which thes. great con-
troyersies which may lead to revolution may bc
judlcially and Justly determined, with the full
est power to enforce thsir DEGREES.
To provide by law that lahoring men may
combine and organize for their own protection,
as capital may be incorporated and combined
Tor Its protection. and that all devices. either
| by contracts Or terrorism, or otherwise, to OBJ
struct and set aside this right In laboring men
are oppressive, and in derosation OF the right .
| OF an American freeman, and should be made
penal by law.
| come because Of imported labor. Our fathers
made this land the homr Of the free. where all
men. appreciating our institutions, with energy
welcome. But our country ought never 10 be .
| lazar house for the deportation OF pauper labor
| OF other countries through governmental aid, OF
importation OF the same kind OF labor Of IN
instrument with which capital can debase
American workmen and women from the proud
position they now occupy by competing with
them by imported or convict labor. while 1t the
| same time capital asks and receives protection
OF its interests at the hands OF the Government
| under guise Of providing for American labor.
This evil. like al Others that ind
OF men, labor demands should be re.
dressed by law. Labor has q right to demand
just share OF the profits OF its own production.
/ The future OF our country unites with the labor
| ing men in the demand for the liberal support
by the United States Of the school system Of the
States tor the common school education OF all
the children, the same afYording . sufficient
foundation for the coming generation TO &C
| quire the knowledge OF their duties citizens
That every species OF monopoly engendcrf
both OF which are equally hurtful to a Repub-
Lie. which should give T. it, people equal righta
| and equal privileges under the law.
Rps0lced, That the public lands Of the United
States were the equal heritage OF all citizens
| and should ha se been held open to the use of al
in such quantities only as are nesded for cult.
yation and Improvement by all Therefore. VIC
by corpo, atoms and individuals In large areas
| some Of them more than equal to pr1ncely do
mains-and demand ot Congress to apl ~ ap.
| propriate remedies with stern hand, SO tina,
/ the lands Of the people may be held by tbs
| many, and not by the few.
Kesotrad. That the public lands Of the natior
| are held by the doyernment in trust for thoss
| who make their homes in the United States anc
| who mean to become citizens OF the Republic
and We protest against the pur, hase and monop
olization OF these lands by corporations and tbs
alien aristocrtcy of Europe.
kesolrfd, That all corporate bodies, createt
eithes in the ates or Nation. for the purpoa'
| and 10 be regulated In all their actions by IN,
same power that created them ut its own will
and that it is within the power and the dut,
of the creator to govern its creatures by its acts
1t shall become neither monopoly nor bur
den upon the people, but be their servant ant
convenience. which IL true test Of its useful
| ness.
| Therefore we call upon Congress to exercis
its great constitutional powers for regulating
interstate commerce, to provide that by no con
| tr.sanca whatever. under forms Of law or other
| wise. that discriminating rates and charges TO
the transportation OF freight and travel be mad
In favor OF the few against the many, or en-
hance the rates OF transportation between tn
| producer and the consumer.
The various offices OF the Government belon
to the eople thereof. who rightfully deman
To exercise and NIL the same whenever they ar
fitted by capacity. integrity. and energy: tn
last two qualifications never to be tested by an
| scholastic examination We hold tina freuuen
changes Of Federal officials are shown 10 be nee
essary.
/. 10 counteraet the growing aristocratic tend
encies to n caste Of lite offices.
/ :. Experience having shown that all investi
cation Is useless while the incumbent and hl
associates hold their places. Frequent chang
Of officers is Neeessary to the discovery and pun
ishment of frauds, speculations. defalcations
and endorsement of the public money.
hasoirrd. That we adhere to aud affirm tn
doctrine cnuneiated and established hy Jack
son--that the Government alone has the powe
To establish AMI issue money for the people
that the issue of the legal tender note made i,
tile Government as y method OF borroMin
money to carry on the war. In the exercise of
constitutional power. has become the tlxed cur
rencS Of the Uni ed States. equal to coined gol
and silver: that neither policy nor duty call
for any meddling with II.