Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1888-04-13
REP TBLIC1N pRINtIi'LEN
THE PLATFORM
Adopted by the state Convention at Bur-
Iingtou Lust Week.

ana union which have been cardinal with
the party, declare upon questions now up
perinost as follows:
/. It is fundamental that elections must
be pure and honest. Undisputed facts show
that in several states maiorities are pract.
cally disfranchised by intimidation, frauds
upon the ballot box and false returns. Thus
is the constitution nullifed and the present
Democratic ascendancy in the House Of
Representatives and in the executive branch
Of the government Is a usurpation Never
before except by hostile armies, has popu-
lar government been so seriously imperiled
We know Of but one remedy, and that is
the restoration 30 power Of the party which
saved the Union and established the equal
ity OF all men before the law, and which
alone has shown a purpose 10 obey and en-
force the constitution and see that it pro-
tects the civil and political rights of every
man beneath the flag
2. All revenue laws require occasional re
vision, TO adapt them to the changing cir
cumstances Of the country. Such revision
is needed now, but we believe in protecting
American markets for American citizens
The Democratic President and the domi
nant faction Of his party propose to pre-
serve the internal taxation made necessary
by the war, now no longer required. and TO
serves TO exclude foreign productions We
favor such taxation, Of any sort, as will
yield only the revenue that the general
welfare requires and since revenue is oft
en- increased by reduction in duties, we ia
vor such a tariff rs will obviate a large sur.
plus in the treasury and protect our pro-
ducers and artisans from serious compet-
tiOn here with the productions of foreign
capital and degraded labor
j. The guiding principle Of our relations
with other countries should be peace with
honor, and the means Of preserving both
Under this we should find the best markets
for our surplus productions, build up a mer-
chant marine, control for the credit and
protection Of American republics the most
feasible canal route between the oceans, and
treat for our fishermen without the surren
der of dignity or essential rights.
4. The policy of civil service reform. in
augurated by the Republican party, should
be honestly executed and gradually extend
ed. Considering President Cleveland brave
promises, by which he drew from the Re
publicans "a small but sufficient vote, the
policy has sadly fallen into disaster and dis
grace under his administration Bv the
confession of friends. he has permitted it to
become farce in Maryland and Indiana, it
has been totally overthrown by his officials
in Vermont and by his party in Massachu-
sets it has been abandoned and denounced
He has remained silent while his appoint6,
deserted their official duties and. by means
OF ''pernlcious activity and election frauds.
conferred some Of the offices Of a large CITY
upon convicted criminals, and in another
city he lent the influence Of his name and
patronage, in violation of his earlier pro
fessions to the election of a man who was
opposed for good reasons Wv nearly all the
friends of honesty and reform Recogniz-
ing. as We do. that in a reformed civil ser
vice there will be and shoull Il. a fair dis
tribution Of the offices between the gdher
ents Of each party. not AS spgils. Lut a. the.
most etfectual wav of preventing an mn
seenly scramble. we insist that there sbould
be rectifcation Of the Aagrant abuses by
which so many competent and worthy off
cials have been turned out to make room
for men who were once described bv the
President himself as 'besieging. importu
nate, tumultuous and discontented" and
whose appointment has greatly impaired the
public service.
). Mindful of the power for good or evil
Of great corporations and enormous aggre-
cations of capital in the form of trusts we
favor such extension of the policy of public
supervision. in state and nation. as the pub
lie relations of the combination may render
advisable and which is already in success
full operation in respect to railroads.
q. Considering the rapid accumulation of
surplus in the treasury and the CONSEQUENT
embarrassment to business by the contrac-
ton Of the currency. resulting from th,.
failure Of the executive TO carry out law
of Congress authorizing the purchase OF
bonds. which is but one of many instances
should be enforced according to the inten-
ton of Congress and not according TO the
will or caprice of the executive
:. The Republican party will never cease
TO be grateful TO the soldiers and sailors who
saved our country. Those who survive
have reached a period in life when the eff
fects of their hardships are rapidly impair
ing their earning capacity and shortening
their lives. We favor generous provisions
for their comfort bv wav of pensions and
soldiers homes Such DISCHARGE of inst oh
legation will make the people no poorer. for
the money will 20 to the people and we
should not forget that the presence of these
veterans among us during the last 20 years
engaged in productive industry but under
standing war, has greatly promoted the
prosperity and absolutely preserved the
peace OF the country. thus saving the ex-
pense of large standing army.
s. Still believing that this country should
be an asylum for the oppressed of other
| lands. with whose struggles for freedom we
cordially svmpathize. and believing that the
! foreign contract labor law should be so
amended as to permit the engagement
abroad of a clergyman. a professor or a
| skilled artisan. we vet oppose the immirra-
tion of masses of people Of those nationali-
ties which do not readily assimilate with our
own, and of expatriated paupers of any
race. and of criminals. anarchists. polyga-
mists and other enemies of social order.
O. As popular education is the chief cor
ner stone of free government. and as the
nation. by its great acts of emancipation
| and enfranchisement brought into the cleo
| torate large numbers of men who were il
| Gterate. we consider it the duty and inter
est of the general government To provide
means. to some extent at least. for the edu
cation of those men and their children. so
far as it can be done without invading the
rights of the states.
10. True to its impulses. history and ira
ditions of liberty. equality and progress.
the Republican partv in Vermont will wei
come women To eoual particiuation in gov.
eminent whenever tbey give earnest of
their desire for francbisement in sudicien,
numbers to Indicate its practical success
If After "a years of nrohibition of thp
| liquor traihc IN Vermont, notwithstanding
many attractions OF the law, we have new