The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-08-06
Democratic Platform.

Democratic Platform.
At the State Democratic Convention
held in Richmond last week, the following
platform was adopted:
The Platform.
The Democratic party of Virginia in
convention assembled congratulate the
people that they have at last triumphed
over all The agencies of corrupt power,
and dpon the peace, security and good
will that have speedily followed in the
train of their victories. Again invoking the
popular verdict on its behalf we point with
pride and confidence to a record of
pledges faithfully performed, and to the
guarantees OF good government which it
offers.
TAXATION.
Wepledged our opposition to- any increase
OF taxation, whether directly or Indirectly,
in the convention of S93 and invested by
the people with legislative powers have
redeemed this pledge and faithfully adj
minstered all trusts confded to us.
PUBLIC DEBT.
The Democratic party heretofore pledg-
ed its final acceptance of the settlement of
the public debt known as the 'Riddleber-
ger Bill, which had been declared con-
stitutonal by the courts, State and Fed
eral, and its opposition TO all further agi-
tation OF the question Oh any disturbance
of that settlement, by repeal OF otherwise.
This pledge was observed with scrupulous
fidelity on the part of our representatives
by the enactment Of all needful and proper
measures of legislation; and the State OF
Virginia would have been forever freed
from the farassing demands OF the public
creditors but for the sudden and inequi-
table reversal of its own decision by
Republican court, rendering still further
legislation necessary for the protection of
the State. To such further legislation,
and as part thereof, to the protection and
Naturalization of the revenue officers of
the State for all official acts done in obel
dience to it's laws, the Democratic party
pledges itself. We appeal to the people
to refuse wholly to pay any tax in coupons,
and thus at once, by their own united
patriotism and sovereign will, to rid the
Commonwealth of this long and baneful
controversy.
The question of the State debt has ceas-
ed to be one of dollars and cents. 1t has |
become one of State sovereignty. The |
question is whether the State of Virginia |
shall be arraigned before the Federal |
courts controlled by Republican judges, |
adiudicating upon the sovereign rights of |
the State in the interest of the bond
holders, in defiance of one of the plainest
provisions of the Federal Constitution.
| We appeal upon this question to all men,
irrespective Of party, and invite them to
unite with us in defending the imperiled
rights of the Commonwealth.
THE PUBLIC EDUCATION.
We pledged the Democratic party as the
| founder and organizer of every legislative
act, which secured its efficiency in our
State to its continued support until every
| child in the Commonwealth. of whatever
race or color, might secure the benefits of
| free education.
| We renew the pledge and avouch the
| fact that within the last two years, under
! Democratic legislation, 1875, 900 of arrear-
| ages to school fund have been paid, besides
all regular appropriations a female nor
| NAL school established at Farmville and }
! liberal annuities granted to our institu-
| tionS Of learning.
| 1t is the cherished purpose of the Demo
cratic party to labor in this sacred work of
public enlightenment until country and
town alike enjoy the full advantages of free
! education.
| To this end we favor the furnishing of
free books to the pupils Of the free schools,
and an appropriation for the benefit of the
common school system from the surplus
revenues of the Federal Government, by
WIittu 10 hllOWIf lIlG VII OI Il U6uu6T
measure.
REFORM AND REVENUE LAWS.
| We recommend such changes in our
State revenue laws as will require speedy
settlements by the collecting officers of
the Commonwealth to the end that accu-
mutations Of large amounts in their hands
and consequent danger of loss may be
| avoided.
RAILROADS.
The railroads of the State are in the ma
ture Of public highways, and should be
| operated not alone for purposes of private
| gain, but for the interest and convenience
| OF the people as well, and it is the duty of
| the Legislature to supervise the operations
| of such railroads and to prevent any unjust
OF discriminating charges on the one hand
and allow fair and reasonable profit on
| the other.
| All reasonable facilities should be
granted for the construction of new rail-
| roads, but no privilege should be granted
| to such new roads or to existing corpora
tions which may interfere with the growth
of Virginia cities or deprive them of trade
to which their position entities them.
AsYLUMs.
! The foundation under Democratic legis-
| latiOn OF q new asylum for the helpless
| unaticS of the State, the completion of
another, and the efficiency and economy
with which all the asylums of the State
have been administered command our APP
probation. These establishments should
continue to receive the same liberal sup
port and such further appropriations and
attention as may De needed to bring them
up to the highest standards known among
civilized nations.
DISABLED SOLDIERS.
| In providing wisely for the instruction
of its citizens and generously for the af-
| t1lcted in mind and body, the Common
wealth should respect the sacred duty
which it owes to its needy Confederate
soldiers, disabled by wounds or disease.
This only hitherto initiated and observed
be successive Democratic legislatures,
should be folio cd up by some more ade-
quate provisions than have yet been made.
All proper aid should be given those dis
abled veterans who are without the Gov
eminent support which they freely vote to
accord their former foes, and who in the
course of nature must ere many years have
passed cease to tread the soil of Virginia,
which is forever consecrated by their
dauntless valor and devotion.
RESPECTING SALE OF ARDENT SPIRITS.
Reafirming the traditional opposition of |
| the Democratic party to all sumptuary
| laws or laws unduly interfering with in
dividual liberty, we recommend to the
General Assembly to pass such laws as will
permit each county or district, at a special |
election held for the purpose under proper
regulations for ascertaining the popular
will to determine for itself whether the
sale of spirituOuS liquors shall be legally
permitted within its limits.
| INTERNAL REVENUE.
The internal revenue system brought |
| into existence by the Republican party