Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-14

searching inquiry concerning Its fidelity
and devotion 70 the pledges which then
invited the suffrages OF the people. Dur
ing a most critical period OF our financial
affairs, resulting from oyertayarion. the
anomalous condition Of our currency and
public debt unmatured, it has by the
abortion OF a wise and conservative
course not only averted disaster but greatly
promoted the prosperity Of the people
1T has reversed the improvident and m
wise policy OF the republican party touch
in- the public domain. and reclaimed from
corporations and syndicates, alien aud
domestic, and restored 10 the people nearly
one hundred millions of acres of valuable
land 10 b. Sacredly held as hCmesteads for
our citizens.
While carefully guarding the priuci-
pies OF Justice and equity it has paid out
more for pensions and b0UatieS 10 the
soldiers and sailors of the republic than
was ever pail before tiuriug an equal
pAro.i. 1t has a opted and constantly
pursued = firm and prudent foreign policy,
preserving peace with atl nations while
Scfupulously maintaining ali the rights
a;}s! interests OF our own government and
pFn@ie at home and abroad.
Ede exclusion from orr shores of Chi
aeIe Iaborers has been elfectually secured
u.'Uc" the provisions Of a treaty. the OPP
er .tion or which has been postponed by
j:,e action OF q republican majority in the
senate. Honest reform in the civil service
mas been lnaUTurated and maintained by
President Cleveland, and be has brought
tie public service to the highest standard
or efficiency no5 only by rule and EreceDt,
but by the example OF his own untiring
and dnSelfiSh administration of public al
fairs. In every branch and department
O. t.e government under democratic con
jroI The rights and the welfare Of ell the
people have been guarded and defended;
eV - public interest mas been protected
a!id tuc equality OF all our citizens before
iIie law. without regard 10 race or color,
has been stcadfIStiy nlaintaiaed.''
Upon its record thus exhibited, and
upon 4 pledge of q continuance 10 the
prOp.e of lie benefits Of democracy, In
voNeS renewal OF popular trust b. the
reelection OF a chief magistrate VINO mas
been faithful. able, and prudent ami IL
vO>eS IL addition to that trust by the trans
fer. also 10 the democracy of the entire
legislative power.
"IAc republican party, controlling the
senate ana resisting in both houses of
congress d reformation OF unjust and I'M
eqIu tax laws. which have outiasted the
necessities Of war, and are now uader-
miUing the abundance of Il 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 q better share iii the
rewards of industry is stified with false
preteGcaS, enterprise is fettered and bound
down 10 home markets, capital is diScour-
aged with doubt, and unequal, unjust
laws can neither be properly amended or
repealed.
TIe Democratic party will continue with
all the power contided to it the struggle to
reform these laws in accordance with the
pledges of its last platform indorsed at the
ballot box by the suffrages of the people
81
the &mmenSe majority, including every
tiller OF the soil, gain no advantage from
excessive tax laws, but the price of nearly
everything they buy is increased by the
t3ForItiSln OF an unequal system of tax
LEGISLATION. All unnecessary taxation is III.
just taxation.
1t is repugnant to the creed of Demo
c1acy that by such taxation the cost Of the
Of life should be Enthusiastically
increased to all our people. Judged by
Democratic principles, the interests Of the
people are betrayed when. by unnecessary
taxation, trusts and combinations are per
united and fOStered which Will unduly
enrich the few that combine to rob orr
citizens by depriving them Of the benefit
of natural competition. Every Democratic
rule Of governmental action IS violated
when, through unnecessary taxation, q
vast sum of money, far beyond the needs
of an economical administration is drawn
AAOiAL JGODiG dlltI Ui1G CllHilfielS Oh IEtG,
and accumulated as q demOraliZing sur
plus in the national treasury.
The money now lying idle in the Federal
Treasury, resulting from SuperfluOus taxa
ton, amounts to more than S125 900, 900:
and the surplus collected is reaching the
sum Of more than $50 100000 annually.
Debauched by the immense tempta-
ton, the remedy of the Republican
party is to meet and exhaust it by
appropriations and expenses,
constitutional or not, the ac
cumulations OF eXtravagant taxation.
The Democratic remedy is to inforce
frugality in public expenditures and
abolish unnecessary taxation. Orr es-
tablished domestic industries and enter
prises should not and need not be en-
dangered by a reduction and correction of
the burdens of taxation. On the contrary,
fair and careful revision of our tax laws,
with due allowance for the difference be-
tween the wages of American and foreign
labor, must promote and encourage every
branch of such industries and enter
priseS by giving them assurance of an eX
tended market and steady and continuous
operation, in the interest of American
labor, which should in no event be neglect
ed. The revision of our tax laws con-
templated by the Democratic party is to
promote the advantage of such labor by
cheapening the cost of the necessaries Of
life in the home of every WOrkingman and
at the same time securing to him steady
and remunerative employment.
Upon this question Of tariff reform, SO
closely concerning every phase of our
national life. and uDon every question in
VOWED in the problem OF good govern
ment, the Democratic party submits its
principles and professions to the intelH
gent suffrages Of the American people
The platform was unanimously adopted
amid wild cheering.
Congressman Scott, of Pennsylvania,
presented the following resolution which
was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the convention hereby
indorses and recommends the early pass
age Of tee bill for the reduction Of the
revenue now pending in the House of
Representatives. [Cheers and applause
Lehman, OF Iowa, presented a resolution
fayoring liberal policy in reference TO
the territories, and fay0ring the admis-
sion of Dakota, Montana, New Mexico,
and Washington territories was carried
unanimously.
Gov. Albeit, Of New Jersey. offered
resolution expressing sympathy with al
people struggling for self-goyernment, and
especially the Irish, and unanimously
adopted.
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