The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1886-10-14
THE REPUBLICAN, PLATFORM.

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the platform adopted by the ,Repub.
lican state convention, which should
be read by all
That the Republican party of Min
nesOta announces the following de-
claration of principles
1t reafirms the principles of equal
ity of rights of all men before the
law which has in principle and
practice distinguished its career in
the past, and pledges itself to con-
tinuance of the same policy in the
future which in war and peace have,
we think, so prosperously guided the
affairs of the nation.
Gold and silver coin and paper is.
sued against coin actually deposited
should be united in the currency Of
commerce.
We believe that the interests of all
classes demand the use rs money of
both precious metals ; but we favor
an honest silver dollar only, intrinsi.
cally equal in value to the dollar of
gold. Looking toward the establish
meRt of real bimetallism, which no
where now exists, we favor such
legislation as will most speedily pro-
mote consent by the principal CON-
mercial nations of the world to re-
sumo the free coinage of silver, at a
i rattle fixed by International agree
ment.
That we unreservedly endorse the
action of the department of Minneso-
ia, Grand Army of the Republic at
its encampment last February, in
appointing a committee to secure
from the next Legislature the pro.
vision necessary to establish in Min.
nesota a soldiers home and per-
manent relief fund.
Our representatives are requested
to give their influence and votes to
the enactment OF suitable laws for
this purpose. We also endorse the
action of the national encampment
Of the G. A. r. at San Francisco the
present year in relation to the grant
ing of pensions to the disabled sol.
diers.
In behalf of the farmers of Mime
sofa with whose interests tie republi.
can party of the state has always
been identified we declare that the
present railroad and warehouse law
should be so amended, in the light of
experience gained by its practical
operation, as to secure an open and
unrestricted market for the products
of the soil. That the progressive re-
duction Of railway freight and pas
senger rates, which has been &C
complisled under Republican rule,
should be continued as rapidly as is
consistent with reasonable return
upon such capital as is actually in.
vested in the business Of trlnsporta.
ton; that railroads should be re-
strained from holding lands exempt
from taxation, except i'm actual use
in the operation of the roads that
just grades and honest weights and
measures should be insured by suf.
ficient system of local inspection.
We declare that without lessening
the penalty upon delinquent taxpay-
ers, it should be made forever impos.
sible under the cover of law or any
legal decisions to rob the humblest
citizen of his home Dy means of ofiic-
ial fraud, negligence, or incapacity.
That the practice OF corporations
of watering their stocks to claim IN
comes upon the fictitious and unreal
values cannot be too strongly re-
primanded, and that the rates of
freight and transportation upon rail
roads, should lie limited to fair
compensation, which should cover
the actual operating expenses and
Legitimate interest upon the capital
actually invested, and that laws
should he enacted to enforce compli-
ance with this declaration.
That the legal rate Of interest in
this state should be reduced to
maximum rate of 8 per cent. and the
usury laws of the state should be
vigorously enforced.
That the state should use portion
of the income of its magnificent
school fund in the purchase and sup
ply of all school books in use in its
public schools to pupils actually at
tending to their privileges.
We demand that ample laws should
be enacted for the protection of all
persons engaged in mining, manu-
featuring, and other Labor employ
ing industries, and for ample in.
demnity for loss or negligence and
that the employer should be equally
liable whether such loss or injury re.
suited from the negligence of the
employer OF any servant or co-em-
ploye.
The rights and equities of labor
must constitute the cornerstone of
any well founded state. For advanc-
ing the interests of the workingman
the Republican party pledges its sup.
port to the following principles 1t
is unworthy of civilized state that
there should exist any inequality in
the condition of capital and labor be.
fore the law, or that the administra-
tion of justice should be lIedged by
technicalties, unjust delays, or dis
elimination. The people should
practically enforce through their re-
representatives. the fundamental prin-
ciples Of universal civil and indus.
trial equality that the prison labor
of the state should not be employed,
under the contract system, in com.
petition with free and honest work
| ingmen.