Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1885-08-08
PLATFORM.
OF the Democratic Party of Virginia

The Democratic party of Virgin.
ia in convention assembled con-
graduate the people that they have
at last triumpbed over all the agen-
cies Of corrupt power, and upon the
peace, security and good will that
have speedily followed. In the
train of their victories again in
voking the popular verdict on its
behalf we point with pride aud COLI
tidence to u record of pledges faith
fully performed, and to the guar
ante'es of good government which
it offers.
TAXATION.
We pledged our opposition to
any increase of taxation, whether
directly or indirectly, in the con
vention Of 1853 and invested by the
people with legislative powers have
redeemed this pledge and faithful
~ administered all trusts colfded
TO us.
PUBLIC DEBT.
The Democratic party heretofore
pledged it's final acceptance ofthe
settlement OF thepublic debt known
as the "Riddleberger Bill,n which
had then been declared constitu
tional by the courts, State and Fed
eral, and it's opposition to all fur
ther agitation of the question OF
any disturbance of that settlement.
by repeal or otherwise. This pledge
was observed with scrupulous fSea
lity. on the part Of our represt
tives by the enactment otallnee
full and proper measures OF legisla
ton; and the State of Virginia
would have been foreverfreed from
the harassing demands Of the pub.
lie creditors but tor the sudden and
ineQuitable reversal OF it's own de.
cision by Republican court, rem
dering still further legislation ne
cessary for the protection OF the
State. TO such further legislation,
and as a part thereof, to the pro-
lection and decentralization OF the
revenue officers OF the State for all
official acts done in obedience to its
laws, the Democratic party pledges
itself. We appeal to the people to
refuse wholly to pay any tax Ill
coupons, and thus at once, BY their
own united patriotism and a SOW
ereiSu will, to rid the Common
wealth Ufthis long and baneful coll
troversy.
The question of the State debt
has ceased to be one Of dollars and
cents. 1t has become one OF State
sovereignty. The question is wheth-
er the State Of Virginia shall be ar.
raigned before the Federal courts
controlled by Republican judges,
adjudicating upon the sovereign
rights of the State in the interest
OF the bondholders, in defiance OF
one of the plainest provisions OF
the Federal Constitution. We ap-
peal upon this question to all men,
irrespective of party, and invite
them to unite with us in defending
the inperilled rights of Virginia.
THE PUBLIC EDUCATION.
We pledge the Democratic party
as the founder and organizer of ev.
cry legislative act, which secured
it's efficiency in our State to its
continued support until every child
in the Commonwealth, OF whatever
race or color, might secure the ben
efits Of free education.
We renew the pledge and avouch
the fact that within the last two
years, under Democratic legislation
S275,OOO for arrearages to school
fund have been paid, besides all
regular appropriations; a female
normal school eSta blished at Farm
vile ana liberal annuities granted
to our institutions of learning.
tits the cherished purpose Of the
Democratic party to labor IN this
sacred work Of public enlighten.
ment until country and town alike
enjoy the full advantages OF free ed
uesition.
To this end we favor the furnish
ing Of free books to the pupils OF
free schools, and an appropriation
for the benefit of the common school
system from the surplus revenues
Of the Federal Government, by
what is known as the Blair Bill, or
d better measure.
REFORM AND REVENUE LAWS.
We recommend such changes in
our State revenue laws as will re-
quire speedy settlements by the
collecting officers of the Common
wealth to the end that accumula-
lions of large amounts in their hands
and consequent danger OF loss may
be avoided.
RAILROADS.
The railroads Of the State are in
the nature OF public highways, and
should be operated not alone tor
purposes OF private gain, but Tor
the interest and convenience Of the
people as we'll, and it is the duty OF
the Legislature to supervise the OPP
eraticns of such railroads and to
prevent any unjust or dlScrimina
ting changes on the one hand and
allow u fair and reasonable profit
OIL the other. All reasonable facil-
tiles should be granted for the con
struction of new railroads, but no
privilege should be granted 10 such
new roads or to existing corpora
lions which may interfere with the
growth of Virginia cities or deprive
.l..~~ r. to,<I,, 4 ~ - u ;nt, tbnir 1,nci