Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-06-14

The chair put the question and there was
returned from the convention q thunder
ing chorus Of ayes
The chair then announced that Grover
Cleveland having received an unanimous
vote, was the candidate of the Democratic
party for the Office OF President Of the
United States.
When tie nomination of Cleveland was
announced by the chairman, another scene
OF wild enthusiasm occurred IN the conven-
tiou, but delegates and SPECTATORS were
too nearly exhausted To sustain so pro-
Ionged a scene as that which followed Mr..
Dougherty's speech.
Soon after motion was put and carried
for tho convention to adjourn until ten a.
m. tomorrow.
Third Day.
ST. LOUIS. June THE third days ses-
sion of the Democratic National convention
was called to order at 10:3) TINS morning.
Snd PRAYER was offered by Rev. DR.. Drank
field. The chairman then stated that he
was advised that the committee on resolu-
tions was ready to report and he intro
duced Mr.. Henry WattersOn, the chairman
of the committee. The assemblage testi-
fed its appreciation of Mr. Watterson by a
round OF applause. At the suggestion Of
a delegate from the Old Dominion, three
hearty cheers were given for the "Star-
eyed Goddess Of Reform
Mr. WattersOn turning to the chairman
said that he had the honor TO report the
resolutions unanimously agreed upon by
the committee on platform. The following
platform WAS then read by Convention
Secretary Thomas S. Petit:
THE PIATFORN
The Democratic party OF the United States
in National convention assembled renews the
pledges of its fidelity TO Democratic faith and
reafirEls the platform adopted by its repre-
sentatives in the convention of 1894 and in
dor es the views expressed by President Cleve-
land in his last earnest message to Congress as
the correct Interpretation of that platform
upon the question of tariff reduction; and also
indorses the efforts OF our Democratic Repre-
sentatives in Congress to secure o reduction Of
excessive taxation.
Chief among its principles of party faith are
the maintenance of an indissoluble union of
free and incestructible States now about to
enter upon its second century Of unexampled
progress and renown: devotion TO plan OF
government ieEulated by a written constitution
strictly specifying every granted power and ex-
pressly reserved TO the State or people the en-
tire ungranted residue of power; the encourage
ment Of jealous popular vigilance, directed to
all who have been chosen for brief terms TO en-
act ard execute the laws, and are charged with
the DUTY OF preserving peace, insuring equality
and establishing justice.
The Democratic party welcomes an exacting
scrutiny OF the executive power which four
years ago was committed 10 its trust in the
election of Grover Cleveland President of the
United States. and it challenges the most
searching inquiry concerning its fidelity and
devotion 10 the pledges which then invited the
sufirages OF the people.
During q most critical period of our financial
affairs, resulting from overtaxation, the anom-
alous condition OF the currenry and public
debt unmatured, it has by the adoption of
sound financial principles and economy not only
prevented 4 disaster but greatly promoted the
prosperity OF the people.
1t has reversed the inprovident and unwise
policy of the Republican party touching the
public domain and has reclaimed from corpora
tiOns and syndicates, alien and domestic, and
restored TO the people nearly one hundred
millions OF acres OF valuable land TO be sacredly
held as homesteads for our citizens.
While carefully guarding the interests of
those concerned and adhering to the principles
OF justice and equity 1t has paid out more for
pensions and bounties to the soldiers and sail
ors of the Republic than was ever paid before
during an equal period.
1t has adopted and consistently pursued
firm and prudent foreign policy, preserving
peace with all nations. while scrupulously
maintaining all the nights and interests Of our
own Government and people at home and
abroad.
The exclusion from our shores of Chinese
laborers has been enectually secured under
the provision of a treaty the ratification of
which has been postponed by the action OF a
Republican majority in the Senate.
In every branch and department OF the Gov
ernnent under Democratic control the rights
and the welfare OF all the people have been
guarded and defended: every public interest
has been protected, and the equality OF all our
citizens before the law without regard to race
or color has been steadfastly maintained
Upon its record thus exhibited and upon the
pledge OF continuance to the peopse Of the
benefits of Democracy the Democratic party
involxes renewal OF popular trust by the re-
election of a chief magistrate who has been
faithful able and prudent .-
The Republican party, controlling the Senate
and resisting in both houses of Congress a
formation Of unjust and unequal tax laws,
which have outlasted the necessities of war and
are now undermining the abundance of a long
peace. deny to the people equality before the
law and the fairness and the justice which are
their right Then the cry OF American labor for
a better share in the rewards of industry is
stified with false pretenses, enterprise is fet-
tered and bound down TO home markets; cap
ital is discouraged with doubt and unequal un-
just laws can neither be properly amenaed or
repealed
The Democratic party will continue, with all
the power conflded TO it, the struggle to reform
these laws, in accordance with the pledges Of
its last platform indorsed at the ballot box by
the suIrages Of the people.
or all the industrious. free men of our land,
the immense majority, including every tiller Of
the soil. gain no advantage from excessive tax
laws, but the price of nearly every thing they
buy Is increased by the fayoritism of an unequal
system of taxation. All unnecessary taxation
is unjust taxation. 1t is repugnant 10 the
creed Of Democracy that by such legis-
lation the cost OF the necessaries OF life
should be unjustifiably increased TO all
our people. Judged by Democratic principles.
the interests OF the people are betrayed when
By unnecessary taxations, trusts and combina-
tions are permitted 10 exist which, while IN
duly enriching the few that combine, rob the
body OF our citizens by depriving them Of the
benefits of natural competition
Every Democratic rule OF governmental ac-
tion Is violated when, through unnecessary taxa
tion. vast sum OF money far beyond the needs
OF the economical administration is drawn from
the people and the channels Of trade,
and accumulated as a demoralizing sur
plus IN the National treasury. The
money now lying ioie IN lne reueral treasury,
resulting from saperfuous taxation, amount,
to more than one hundred and twenty-five
and the surplus collected is reaching
the sum OF more than sixty millions annually.
Debauched by this immense temptation, the
remedy Of the Republican party is TO meet and
exhaust by eXtravagant appropriations and ex
penses whether constitutional or not, the ac-
cumulation OF extravagsnt taxation The
Democratic policy Is TO enforce frugality in
public expense and abolish unnecessary taxa
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