Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-15
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Resolutions Adopted by the Territorial
Democratic Convention in Session
Mt Aberdeen, Sept. 80, 1856.

'' A"eldeei, sept. 3O, 1856.
ThH5 we commend tho administration of Pres
ldent cleveland to the most hearty endorsement
and support of all true Democrats, it 1ayine
been wise, polite, and able to cope with the
great issues presented upon q change of govern
lnent from the hands of corrupt marty bnck to
the party of the people. Abuses have been cor
rected, and all the promises of pure government
givcn by the party to the people have been made
good MS far as possible. Under Democratic
rule, in less than two years time, m,re has been
accomplished to obliterate sectional feeling in
this country than in more than tventyIyears OF
Republican efforts, with all their claims to effect
this result. We admire the courage and skill
with which President Cleveland ans maintained
the prerogatves of his Office.
2. That the policy of the National administra-
t1on in making its appointments to Federal Of
hces IN the Territory from residents therein, be-
ing IN such marked contrast tothe preceding
Republican administrations is especially com.
mendable, and we roaffirm the wisdom and nat
nra1 justice OF tho doctrine that the Territorial
offices should be filled by Territorial residents.
.. That we approve the efforts OF the Demo-
crafts IN Congress to wres1 from the land grant
RAILROADS. the unearned lands of the grants and
iestore them to the public domain, and that we
regard me action of the last Republican Score
- 0AAo
1ialf acres OF unearnedlands to q railroad COM
ptny, IN the closing hours of his term as great
outrage upon the rights of the whole people
Which should meet she sharpest condemnation
4. Thht during The twenty-four years OF Re-
publican ascendshcy, nearly every interest in
the land except tho agricultural and related in
terests, has been protected and petted, and that
the fntire burden OF this projection has been
levied upon agriculture until the farming class
constituting moro than one half of the entire
Population OF the country, are being rapidly
brought to condition of bankruptcy and finan
clai Vassalage; that we regard the existing pro-
tecAVe tariff RS IN unjust and budensome dis.
elimination against our interests in favor of the
ocer and weather. sections of the East, wrong
lnprnclple, injurious on the whole, in practice
tending to divert to less productive fields capital
nd labor which would otherwise find employ
menu IN the development OF our resources and
qvlng rise to q greater revenue than the public
wants demand, the surplus accommodating and
lying unproductive in the public vaults to tempt
corrupt legislation and extrnyaoant nnpronria-
lions.
\ 5. That the Interior Department under Sec
y rotary Lamar has been ably and faithfully con-
Quoted, and that the Secretary has been an earn
est and consistent worker for the protection of
real settlers in their rights for which he merits
the thanks of oil Dakotans, and may he con-
time the good work of up-rooting fraud and cor
ruptlon, wherever found. We heartily indorse
the Indian policy of Secretary Lamar and Com
missioner Atkins, commenting their efforts to
! correct the frauds whereby thousands of mythi-
cal Indians were carried upon the rolls by Re-
Dc
we point with pride to the rapid success of this
department., IN etfecting by treaty with the In
dams themselves i'll due and legal form the
| opening OF the Indian reservations i'll Dakota,
| embracing large areas of valuable agricultural
and mineral lands, and thus settling beyond
| civil questions of title in respect thereto. We
urge upon Congress the immediate concontra-
| ton of all Indians in the Territory, including
| those Of the Grow Creek, Winnebago Sioux,
Turtle Mountain and Mouse River, upon reser-
Vatons ls commensurate to their needs and
| numbers humanity will hermit
b. That all disabled soldiers and sailors who
| fought for our flag should receive the utmost
protection frpm our Government. Many of them
are in Dakota, and are needy, and should be
| pensloned in q substantial way by q bountiful
nation. WE recognize md approve all true ef-
forts to benefit them, but demand that fraud
| and corruption shall not be permitted to enter
into the conduct Of the Pension Bureau, as they
did in times past. under Republican rule, to the
detriment OF THIS cause That the action Of
President Cleveland in vetoing jobbing special
pension bills Which bring blush Of shame to
honest pensioners meets our hearty approval
and that the attempt Of the Republican party tc
pension bills yere signed by the present Presi
dent during che session of Congress than were
passed during the whole administration OF Gen
Grant, shows spirit of unfairness inexcusable
oven in party warfare.
T. That we favor the submission to vote O.
the people of the whole Territory the question
standard parallel.
8. That the so-called Constitutional Conven
ton, held at Sioux Falls was productive of nc
good to the people of Dakota, and was awastefu
expenditure Of money, for which there was nc
occasion. The Democratic party for no reason
is called upon to endorse that convention, MOI
does sound POLICY accord with such proceedings
| O. That immigration to this Territory should
be encouraged by all proper means and under
Territorial direction. Dakota is q great agricul-
tural country-Do greater is found on the globe
and this industry is with us paramount to all
others. immigration to all portions, without
special favor to any, should always be the rule
of action. The present method OF encouraging il
under Republican management, connot be toe
| strongly condemned.
10. That the employment of convict labor il
detrimental to the true interests of the laborine
men and not in accord with Democratic policy
Some means should be devised for tho employ
ment OF convicts and such laws should be en-
acted that this kind of labor will not conflict
with the rights of the workingmen.
| IL. We favor the submission OF all public
| questions upon which men may differ, includ
ing prohibition when an issue. to vote OF the
people.
immediately pass a graduated salary law for al
| county officers applicable to the whole Terri
tory-one which shall not be oppressive to any
officer, but so framed as to prevent any Office
| corrupt contention.
Is. The present Railroad Commission law, the
child of Republican ring corruption, and the no
torious doodle cars" entailing a useless OK
pense of about $12, 100 annually, should either b.
abolished or amended as to make it Lawful
| for and obligatory upon the Commissioners K
secure a free and open market, reasonable maxi
mum rates of freight and fare, and to preven
| baneful Determinations between persons O.
| places and the organic act should be SO amend
| ed as to make these and other Territorial ottice
| elective.
IA. That NIL corporate property in the Terri
| tory be taxed at the same rate as farm lands
That the insurance laws be thoroughly revised
&C as to protect the people from the extortions o
| dishonest insurance agents and companies
That the Legislature should promptly make pro
| vision for the erection of q suitable soldiers
home. That the maximum rate of interest b.
fixed at 10 per cent. with no more than 2 pc
cent to any agent for negotiating loan, ant
that any violation thereof shall be made a mis-
demeanor punishable by proper penalties. Iha
the public printer be required to give bonds be
fore letting OF contract that the session law
shall be faithfully and accurately printed ant
| published With sixty days after the close o
the session, SO that the people may know tn
laws under which tlley live.
Is. That we favor the passage Of a law pro
hibiting under penalty of fine and forfeiture o
Office the acceptance of railrond passes by men,
bers of of our Legisture, city, county and Terri
torial officers members of the Judiciary and rail
road commissioners.
49, The school lands should BIO carefully pro
tected from intruders by Il law authorizing loca
public surveillance. Thati all counties wher
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