St. Paul daily globe., 1886-09-15
THIS is TEE PLATFORM.
A Declaration of Principles OF the
Democratic Party of Minnesota.

A Declaration of Principles OF the
Democratic Party of Minnesota.
The Democracy of Minnesota, in conven-
ton assembled, hereby declares:
First-That we heartily indorse the Demo-
cratic administration of President Cleveland.
1t has made good every promise of the party
to the people, 1t has reformed the abuses,
checked the extravaganza, and put an end to
the corruptions of former administrations.
For the first time in a long period, it has ele-
waited to position of dignity our civil Serv-
ice aui in its conduct OF public affairs it has
illustrated by example the memorable politi-
cal period that "public Office is a public
trust" Under its wise and prudent admins
tration sectional feeling has passed away, the
business interests of the country have re-
vived, and among all classes of citizens the
confidence is now inspired that our govern
ment has fully started on new and import
ant epoch in its history.
Second-That, whilst this change has come
to us nationally, Republican control still ex-
lists in Minnesota. For more than twenty-siX
years the executive, legislative and judicial
control of our affairs has been confined to
that political party. Had that control been
wise and Just and productive of good results,
our opponents might ask that this rule be
continued; but the ring has been reckless as
well as ruinOuS There has been lack of SUI
pervision, incompetency of action. extrava-
gance in expenditure. waste OF the public do
main, severity in taxation, encroachments
upon personal rights, encouragement Of
monopolies-in short, such utter disregard Of
the public will that the government intended
for the protection Of the peoples interests
has become mere machine to injure them.
The results have been equally disastrous to
our development. With soil OF eXuberaut
fertility, a climate of health-giving vigor, a
location commanding the choicest markets in
the world, the progress of our state should
have been twice over what it is to-day. For
all this nlisrule and the consequences, the
Republican party is strictly responsible. A
change is now imperatively demanded. Shall
the people now tear away the sham and re-
store the real government, is to all our citi-
zens the one absorbing question of the day.
We demand honest money, gold and silver
coin of equal value, and paper convertible
into either.
TARIFF REFORM.
Third-That IN national matters there
should be thorough and complete tariff re-
form. The longer continuance OF taxes i'm
posed in time OF war for war purposes are un-
necessary and oppressive. The depressed
condition of pure agricultural and manufac-
turing industries imperatively demand that
they should no longer pay tribute to the
mouopolists of the East. Justice and sound
policy alike dictate that the tools of the
laborer and the mechanic, the raw materials
of the manufacturer, the implements of the
farmer, and all things necessary for the life,
comfort and enjoyment of the people should
not be excluded from our markets or en-
hanced in price by taxes imposed upon them
for the profit of protected millions.
We are therefore, in favor of a revision of
the present unequal and unjust tariff system
for purposes other than raising revenue for
the expenses of the government, economically
administered.
Fourth-This convention affirms that the de-
partment of agriculture established at WASH
ington should be elevated TO nthe dignity and
power of cabinet position. We maintain
that railroad, telegraph, express and similar
corporations are created by state or federal
law for public service, and derive all their
powers and privileges from the creators and
are properly subject to legislative govern
ment and control. We are unQualifiedly in
favor of such legislation in this state as will
insure free and open market for buying and
selling and equitable and reasonable trans
portation charges and facilities, equal alike