Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-13
THE DEMOCRATIC pLArFoRM.

clares Cleveland's last message was a
correct Interpretation and the corollary
of it. 1t places the seal Of its approval
on 'the efforts of our Democratic repre-
sentatives to ecure a reduction of ex-
cessive taxation" This would appear
to be a plain endorsement of the Mills
tariff bill, but, that there might be no
misconception on that point, the conven-
ton adopted a formal resolution in which
it recommends "the bill for reduction Of
revenue pending in the House Of
Representatives" for hearty support,
The platform continues in the usual
vein of such documents with a formal
expression of adhesion to the existing
order OF Government and proceeds to
show the reason for the faith that is in
it that the Democratic control of the
Government should continue by recapitu-
lating the circumstances that make up
the political history of the last four
years and the party's share in the sub
stantial results. 1t claims that the party
by its course of legislation has averted
disaster and promoted the peoples pros
perity. In evidence of this, it refers
among other instances to the way in
which in consonance with the recon-
mendations Of the President, the Repub-
iican policy toward the public domain
has been reversed and an immense
amount Of public land has been reclaim
ed from corporations who were unlaw-
fully holding it.
The fact that during this Administra-
ton more money has been expended for
bounties and pensions to soldiers and
sailors than ever before is referred to as
evidence that the Democratic party can
be both just and generous to the heroes Of
the Republic.
1t refers to the course of the Admins
tratiOn's foreign policy as having been
firm and prudent, which it has been.
The fisheries treaty is not alluded to pre-
sumably because it is still under consid-
almost to the inception of the Republic.
The attitude of the party on the Chi
nese question and the obstacles placed
in the way Of the legislation it has pre-
pared by the Republican Senate are
briefly stated.
1t asserts that the rights and welfare
OF the people have been zealously
guarded in every branch of the Govern
ment service under Democratic control.
the public interests protected and the
equality OF all citizens regardless of
race or color maintained. In view of
which record and the assurance of its
continuance, the Democracy ask a re-
newal OF the popular trust and the re-
election OF its Standard bearer. 1t also
asks Tor the country to set the seal of
approval upon its course by giving it un-
questioned control of bJth Houses of
Congress. If points out how the Repub-
llcan Senate Obstructs the reform tend
encles OF the Democratic party.
1t then assails the excessive tax laws
n plainly sets forth Democratic doc
trine upon that subject. There has been
and is so much demagOgisn uttered by
the Republican organs and leaders upon
the necessity for maintaining the exist
ing rate Of taxation at all hazzards, and
much sOphistry and false reasoning
used to blind calm and deliberate iudg-
ment, that it is a high testimonial of {
The innate truth of the principles in
VolVed in the doctrine laid down that
me platform is so free from bitterness in a
stating its case. After setting forth the a
injury to individuals Of the high taxa a
ion and the immense accumulation in t
treasury, it describes its effect on 4
Republican party in this short but a
loquent sentence. "Debauched by this n
immense temptation, the remedy of the u
republican party to meet the situation "
to exhaust, by %extravagant ~appropria- n
ions and expenses, whether constitu-
!onal or not, the accumulations of ex-
'avagant taxation" On the contrary E
10 Democratic policy favors frugality a
public expenditure and the abolition 81
that legislation by which unnecessary IN
'xat'0n is maintained. 1t says !: Our hi
tablished domestic industries and en- ca
rprises should not and need not be en- fo
fingered by a reduction and correction su
the burdens of taxation. On the con- la
airy, a fair and careful revision of our
x laws, with due allowance for the
ference between the wages of Ameri- mr.
n and foreign labor, must promote and wa
courage every branch of such indus ne
es and enterprises by giving them as lite
RANGES OF an extended market and con- CIR
luous operations" The Democratic ref
rty, it asserts, will deal with the sub an,
t Of tariff reform in a manner to
ard the interests of the American ,
'or while c%heapening to it the neces- =
les of life. mol
{ is such a platform, as Henry Wat nei
son said In introducing it, on which Iie
nOcrats may stand without feeling pfe
y are away from home or having to Won
K round the corner. 1t brushes aside
fallacy about free trade with which A
Republican party endeavor to OBJ to
the real facts and to turn voters tod
N their true conception. The Demo- SUR
tic party In Congress in e~ndeavoring
put on the statute books a tariff T
law in line with the ideas en- dou
led In the platform. 1t is impossible Mon
lease all the diverse interests Of the age
ntry in a measure like that, and the thei
Is bill Is an honest effort to come as good
this as possible. Instead of aiding has
n the Republicans are playing the weel