Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-09-22
The PLATFORM.

Mr.. Durant, then read the report of the
platform committee which was adopted
without debate as follows: ST, '''" b
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 tho'pcOple.3 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 a position of dignity our civil serv-
ice, aul in its conduct OF public affairs it has
Illustrated by example the memorable pOliti-
cal period that "publlc Office is a public
trust. - Under Its swisesand prudent adminis-
trationSs cctional feelinYhas 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 a new and import
ant epoch in its history.
"Second-Thut,w 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 affairs has been confined to
that political party. Had that control been
wise and just and sproductiveso of good results,
our opponents might ask that this rule be
continued; but the ring has been reckless as
well as r~uinous. 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
hassbecome q mere machine to ainjure them.
The results have BEEN equally disastrous to
our development. With a 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 mistule aud 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, aud paper convertible
into either. 80 49, (
@~ TARIFF REFORM.
Third-Tbat IN national matters there
should be a thorough and complete tariG re-
form. The longer c~ontfnuance Of taxes im-
posed in time OF war for war purposes are I'M
necessary and oppressive. The depressed
condition OF pure agricultural and manufac-
turing industries impsrafiseays demand that
~mooopolists of the East. Justice and sound:
,policyh~ alike sdictate that the toolsskof the
1aborer and the mechanic, the raw materials
Of the manufactures, the implements of the
farmer, ana all CnlnSS necessary tor the life,
and enjoyment OF the people should
not be excluded from our markets or en-
HANGED in price by taxes imposed upon them
for, the profit Of protected millions.
W. areytherefora n favor OF asreystonsfof
the present unequal and unjust tariff system
for purposes other b raising revenue for
the expenses Of the government, economically
ao FourtSHaThfs couventio,iaf fl rn.Ithat the de-
partment1 OF agriculture established at Wash
ington should be- elevated TO athe dignity aud
power of a cabinet position. We maintain
that railroad, 1e!egraph."express and similar
CORPORATIONS are created by state or federai
Jaw for public sssrvice.sand derive all their
powers aud privileges from the creators, and
are properly subject to legislative govern
ment and control. We are unQualitedly in
favor OF sue 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