The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-08-28
The Platform.


turn its crank in October in the direc~
ton of federal democratic success.
The Platform.
The democratic platform, adopted at
Houston, the full text of which ap-
pears in another column, reads pretty
well, and, if state officers and legis-
lators live up to its doctrines and en-
force it propositions, Texas will do
well. One of the first duties of DEM
ocrats is to give earnest adhesion to
the federal nominees. The vote of
Texas will, beyond all doubt, be given
to Cleveland and Hendricks, but the
moral power of that vote should be
felt in huge proportions. Texas is
rapidly going to the front in federal
affairs, and when its weight
is thrown into the scale
it should be felt in all
it's huge proportions. Therefore, it
was wise for a platform to be shaped
with a declaration in its first section
expressing devotion to the principles
and nominations lately set forth and
presented at Chicago. Section two Of
the platform is somewhat after ad
captandum style, and yet it presents
the fundamental principle underlyin
the structure of true democracy. Ofte
it is, that we find even demo-
Gratis in office violating the fixed
principles of their party, and it is af-
ter all eminently proper, under cir
cumstances existing in Texas, TO thus
call attention to the fact that govern
ment is a creation for the people, not
a machine for the personal agrandise-
ment of men. The section, relating
to ''free ballot and a fair count" "
might as well have been LETT out
Such declarations were never
known in platforms until tbs
republican party placed lie in its
Illuminated principles to gloss over
the truth of history. OF course the
democracy of Texas is in favor of free
schools, and liberal free educat ion.
The world knows this without the
declaration in section four OF the
platform. Here we have been since the
organization of the republic of Texas
fostering free education. No state in
the union, 10 country on the face of
the globe has made so bounteous a
provision for free education as Texas,
and protection Of educational funds
will soon place the state in a condi-
ton to establish and maintain a sys-
tenn of public education second to
none among civilized peoples.
Section five touches upon a
most serious question; a
necessary sequence to all the wise
provisions made in the past for main
taihing an educational system. I'm
less the lands be utilized so as to de.
rive from them the fullest returns for
the purposes contemplated govern
ment ceases to lie competent
disregardingone of the most sacred of
all public rights. The democracy
must come squarely up to the issue;
the children of the state must have
the benefit of that which has been
provided for them; it must not be
given to favored classes. Free grass
and free timber and free water are
against the spirit of bounteous be-
quests. In the disposal of all lands
preference should be given to actual
settlers, and no man should be denied
the opportunity to obtain home
in Texas. Opposition to a herd
law is correct, unless the declaration
mean that the state will not protect
the lands of individuals, as well as
those of the state. all individuals
have acquired title to lands from
the state, and the government |
should warrant and defend all |
rights acquired by the purchas-
ers. A better law for the protection
Of labor may he necessary, DuJ IN the |
section referring to such protection
there is the least tinge of claptrap.
Legislation in behalf of restricting
5he rights of corporations in acquir-
ng real estate is wise suggestion,
ind law should be passed for the &C
,omplishment of such end. Section
EN- treads upon dangerous ground.
The objection to laws of the sort re-
erred to is that abuses grow up under
is operation, and the growth {
# the state demands for a time
LIBERAL treatment of carriers.
Evils ought to be corrected, but the
yisest discrimination should be exer-
ised in doing SO, for in any wild at
empt to correct them, great damage
lay be done the state. The last sec
on (eleven) of the platform is moth
more than the customary political
GEOLOGY, sung on all such occasions,
ut it is an excellent ode to sing and {
fine tune to go by.