Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-09-09
The Republican Platform.

The Republlcans OF Ohio reati1rm their de-
votion to the great principles in behalf of
which their party have achieved the most
illustrious triumphs recorded in American
history, and declare:
First-That the Democratic administration
of President Cleveland has failed to keep the
pledges upon which it came into power. 1t
promised retrenchment and economy, but has
been the most extravagant ever known, the
appropriations made by congress and approved
by the president for the present year largely ex
ceeding the abundant revenues of the govern
ment 1t promised 10 uphold the dignity and
honor of the republic and protect American
citizens and their lights of person and property
both at home and abroad, but has proven itself
incapable of securing an honorable adjustment
OF the fisheries question, and has with seeming
indifference subjected US to the humiliation
of seeing our flag insulted, our seamen seized
and the vessels of our citizens confscated by
the authorities of Canada, while with rash haste
and laundering it has involved US in unjustiha-
BILE complications with our friendly neighbor,
the sister republic of Mexico, fact which SER
iously calls attention to the Republican nation
al platform in its enuncation of the doctrine
of international arbitration for international
differences, and to the Importance of the recent
action of the senate of the United States in
unanimously passing the bill for congress of
American nations in the interest of peace and
commerce 1t promised civil service reform,
but has made that phrase odiOus by not only
removing but attempting TO blacken the char
acters of thousands of our best citizens, many
of them old soldiers, who have been removed
from official positions upon the cOwardly subter-
fuge of offensive partisanship."
Second-We reaffirn that to the union SOL
diers and sailors of the late war We owe debt
that can not be computed, and it is the duty OF
the government to grant pensions and establish
homes for all such as are disabled or in want
We therefore heartily indorse the action OF the
present general assembly in providing for the
establishment and maintenance OF such home,
and for the outside reIiett and support of dis
abled soldiers and sailors Of this state, and
with equal earnestness we condemn the heart
less and wholesale vetoes by President Cleve-
land of the private pension bills recently pass.
ed by congress.
Third-We believe in the Republican doc
trine of tariff not only for revenue, but also for
the protection and developement of American
labor. We demand in behalf OF the great WOOL
growing interests of our state a restoration OF
the wool tariff of 1867, and we denounce the
recent attempt of the Democratic majority in
the national house of representatives to pass
the Morrison BILL reducing tariff duties and
placing wool on the free list.
FOurth-We call attention of the people to
the fact that when the last Democratic state
administration came into power there was a
large balance to the credit of the general rev.
enue fund.- that the penitentiary was not only
self-sustaining, but earning annually large
surplus. Whereas under the extravaganza of
that administration the surplus was exhausted,
the penitentiary made a burden to the tax
PAYERS, and the state revenues anticipated to
the extent of half million dollars, compelling
the state to become a borrower to preserve its
credit
Fifth-The Republican party has ever stood
as the friend of labor against all who would
either oppress or enslave it; and every measure,
state or national which will protect the laborer
from dangerous foreign competition, or improve
and dignity his condition at home, will meet
with our unqualified approval. Unswerving in
our hostility to anarchism, socialism and COM
munism, we favor such wise legislation as may
insure that hlrmOny which ought always pre-
vail between the employer and emplOye. We
recognize the right of all men by association to
promote their mutual good and protection, in
every way that does not infringe upon the rights
of others. We favor the creation 10y congress
of national department of labor, the head OF
which shall be a cabinet officer, whose duty it
shall be to collect, systematic and publish
statistical information relating to the social,
sanitary, educational and commercial condition
of the wOrkingmen of the nation. We demand
that all officials, state or national charged with
the duty of enforcing laws which provide for
the proper security of the lives and health of
workingmen, shall be practical men.
Sixth-The United States senate, is refus
ing to order an investigation of the means by
which seat IN that body was procured for
Henry B. Payne, has disappointed the just
and reasonable expectations of the people of
Ohio.
Seventh-The action of the Ohio legislature
last winter in Ousting from both houses of that
body individuals whose certificates were pro-
cured by shameless and admitted frauds upon
the ballot box, and the replacing them with
those who through the suffrages of the people,
were rightfully entitled to seats, was action in
the interest of fairness, honesty, electoral
purity and good government, and is hereby
heartily commended and indorsed.
ighth-Favoring, as we do, every Legitimate
and constitutional means for diminishing or
eraicating the evils resulting from the traffic in
intoxicating liquors, and recommending such
legislation as will keep abreast with enlighten-
ed public sentiment on this question, we COM
mend the Dow law as a wise and practical
measure tending to that end
Ninth-The Republicans of Ohio rejoice in
the progress of the cause of home rule for Ire |
land, and send cheer and greeting to Gladstone
and Parnell, with the hope that the struggle |
they are making may be crowned with success. |
We at the same time commend the wisdom of
the Sensational leaders in declaring that only a
native parliament can properly protect and
foster the native industries, which have so long
laid paralized under the pernicious influences
the prevailing free-trade system and doctrines.
Tenth-We heartily indorse the administra-
ton of Governor Foraker for its happy combi |
nation of prudence and energy, and for its
brilliant achievement in refunding the people
hundreds of thousands in interest; and we con-
gratulate him upon the wise and economical
changes which, through his official appoint |
ments, have been brought about in the public |
Institutions, and especially and notably in the !
state penitentiary.
Eleventh-In common with all loyal people |
of the land we mourn the loss to our country |
of that great Republican, as well as great SOL |
dier and statesman, Ulysses S. Grant. His
life will forever be an inspiration to high and
honorable manhood, patriotic devotion to
country and loyalty to the principles Of Repub |
licamism which he so fittingly represented and
did SO much to advance. We shall ever treasure |
his memory and cherish his deeds.
LASTLY Don't any body miss the great |
Woct EvnOcition Or EOoJlar G. /