Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-09-24
THE NORTHWEST
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
1885,

The democracy of Ohio in convention
assembled congratulate the country
upon the election and inauguration of
the Democratic candidates for president
and vice president of the United States.
These fortunate events and the wise ad-
ministration that has followed have al
ready dispelled the illusion that Demo-
cratic success Is inconsistent with the
business interests of the freedmen. The
revival of prosperity and the increase in
the value of property already begun de-
monstrate the beneficence of Democrat
ic principles even before any session of
congress has enabled the country to real
ize the full frution of their application
bylegislation:
'"Second, We congratulate Presi-
dent Cleveland and his cabinet upon
the auspicious beginning they have
made in the necessary reforms of the
government, and heartily endorse their
administration.
"Third, We approve the measures
given bya Democratic congress for pre-
venting the occupation of unearned
lands by railroad companies, and by a
Democratic president in firmly holding
lands for public uses, and in public pre-
venting their unlawful occupation.
"Fourth, We reaffirm the platform
of principles adopted by the National
Democratic convention held at Chicago
in 1884.
Fifth, We commend the admins
tration of Governor Hoadly and the
works of the Sixty-sixth general assem-
bly, as wise, honest and economical.
"Sixth, We especially commend the
fidelity Of the democratic members of
Sixty-sixth general assembly to the
pledge of the party in favor of licensing
the traffic in intoxicating liquors, and
we denounce the fraud and hypocrisy
Of the republicans in defeating this wise
measure of reform. Every democrat in
both branches of the general assembly
voted to submit for popular adoption a
constitutional amendment providing for
license.
Enough republicans protesting to be
in its favor were present in the house of
representatives to have given it the 3-5
vote necessary for its success, but refus-
ed to vote for the avOwed and only rea-
sou that it was proposed by a democrat.
Upon the republican party whose eau
Gus dictated this course lies the reproach
of the postpOnement and temporary de-
feat of this most wise and salutary plan
for the regulation of the liquor traffic.
"Seventh, The Democratic party is
as it always has been, opposed to sump-
tilary legislation and unequal taxation
in any other form and is in favor of the
largest liberty of private conduct con-
sistent with the public welfare and the
rights of others and of regulating the
liquor traffic and providing against the
evils resulting therefrom, by a judicious
and properly graded license system.
Under the present constitution of Ohio
such system is forbidden and taxation
is limited to property and required to
be measured by its money value. We
therefore are in favor of constitutional
amendment which shall permit such
system and we promise its submission
for adoption by the people if the neces-
sary three-fifths of each branch of the
next general assembly be composed of
Democrats.
"Eighth, The Democratic party
is and always has been the party
of the people and of the agricultural
and wool-growing interests, the enemy
of monopoly, the friend of labor, in
whose hands the interests of working
men are and always will be safe, and we
favor arbitration as the wisest means of
settling differences between labor and
its employers.
"Ninth, We commend the steps al
ready tax en- in the cause of prison re-
form.
"Tenth, We favor the preservation
ofthe canals as the cheapest transporta-
Gon for producers and consumers, and
recommend that they be put into an
efficient condition for public service.
eleventh. We favor the establish
ment of an intermediate penitentiary
for the reform of prisoners not belong
ing to the criminal class.
"Twelfth, We are in favor of the
adoption of the pending constitutional
amendment changing the date of the an
nual state, county and congression-
al elections to November.
"Thirteenth, We mourn, the death
of Gen. Grant. The citizens of his ma
sorrow at his loss and cherish the mem
cry of his modest and heroic character
and his great deeds as amongth proud
est public possessions. We sympathiZe
with his bereaved widow and children,
and we trust and hope that his last
words, urging Harmony and good will
between the sections may be SO taken
to heart by his countrymen that Sec
tional alienation and hate may be a
thing Of the past.
"FOurteenth, Resolved that in the
death of Judge John w. Okey the state
has lost pure and able jurist, and we
condole with his family in their ire
parable lOss."
A Great Discovery.
Mr.. VIM. Thomas, of Newton, Ia,
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