The Delta independent., 1888-06-12
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

The Democratic party of the United
States, in national COD vention assembled,
renews the pledge OF Its fidelity, to the
form adopted by its representatives in the
convention of 1884, and tndorses the views
expressed by President Cleveland in his
last earnest message to Congress, as a cor
rect Interpretation OF that platform upon
the question of tariff reduction, and also
indorses the efforts of our Democratic re-
presentatiyes In Congress to secure reduc-
ton of excessive taxation.
Chief among its principles of party faith
are the maintenance OF an indissoluble
now about to enter upon its second century
of unexampled progress, and known devo-
tion to plan OF government regu ated by
a written constitution, strictly specifying
every granted power, and expressly reserv-
ing to the states or the people the entire
ungranted residue OF power; and the en-
couragement of Jealous popular vigilance,
directed to all who have been chosen for
brief terms to enact and execute the laws
and are charged with the duty of preserv-
ing the peace, eDsuring equality and the
re-establishment of justice.
The Democratic party welcomes an exact
ing scrutiny of the administration of the
executive power which four years ago was
Grover Cleveland as President of the
United States, and II challenges the most
searching inquiry concerning its fidelity
and devotion to the pledges which then In.
most critical period OF our financial Affairs,
resulting from over-taxation, with ali
anomalous condition of our currency and
the public debt unmatured.
1t has reversed the improvident and un
wise policy OF the Republican party touch
ing the public domain, and has reclaimed
from corporations and syndicates, alien ard
domestic. and restored TO the people, nearly
one hundred millions of acres of valuable.
land, to be sacredly held as homesteads for
citizens.
While carefully guarding the interests of
the principles of justice and equity, Ii has
paid out more for pensions and bounties 10
soldiers and sailors of the republic than
was ever paid before during an equal
period.
II has adopted and consistently pursued
firm and prudent foreign policy, preserv-
ing peace with all nations while SCI lupu-
lously maintaining all the rights and in
terests Of our government and our people
at home and abroad.
Exclusion from our shores Of 0hinese Ia
borars has been effectnally secured under
the provisions of treaty, the operation OF
which has been postponed by the action OF
the Republican majority in the Senate.
In every branch and department of the
government under Democratic control the
rights and welfare of all the people have
been guarded and defended, every public
INTEREST mas Dren projected, AnO t0e equal
ity of all our citizens before the law, with
out regard to race or color, has been stead
fsstly maintained
Upon its record thus exhibited. and upon
the pledge of a continuance to the people of
these benefits, the Democracy invokes re-
newal of the popular trust by the re election
of chief MAGISTRATE sho has been faithful,
able and prudent, aud Ii invokes in addi-
ton to that trust the transfer also to the
Democracy OF the entire legislative power
n ha n Tho RHnnbIican
is now controlling the Sem
ate and resisting in both Houses OF Con-
gress the reformation of unjust and un-
equal tax laws, which have outlasted the
necessity OF war, and are now undermining
the abundance OF u long peace.
They deny TO the people equality before
the law, and the fairness Of justice which
are their right. The cry of American
labor for better share in the rewards of
industry is still siified with false pretenses.
Enterprise is fettered ana bound down to
home markets. Capital is discouraged with
doubt, and unequal, ,ur1ust laws can neither
be properly amended or repealed. The
Democratic party will continue, with all
power cJnfided to it, the struggle to reform
these laws in accordance with the pledges
of its last platform, endorsed at the ballot
box by the sufiraxes OF the people.
OF all the Industrial freemen of our land,
The immense majority, Including every
tilier of the soil. gain no advantage from
excessive tax laws, but the price OF nearly
everything they buy is increased by the ia =
oritism OF an unequal system OF tax legisla-
tion.
All unnecessary taxation Is unjust taxa
tioI. Is is r-pugnant to the creed Of ine
Democracy that by sucn taxation the cost
OF the necessities of life should be unjustly
increased to all our people. Judged by
Democratic principles, the interests OF the
sary taxation trusts and combinations have
BEEN permitted to exist which, while un-
duly enriching the few, combine to rob the
body of our citizens by taking from them
the benefits OF natural competition.
Every Democratic rule of governmental
action Is violated when. through unneces-
sary taxation a vas. sum of money, Tar be-
You'd the needs of economical administra.
ton,is drawn from the people and channels
or trade, and accumulated as demoraliZlnE
surpiu. IN the National treasury. The
money now lying idle in the federal treas
ury, resulting trum superfluous taxation,
amounts to more than tls5, ,0on, 900, and the
surplus collected is reaching the sum OF
more than 30, go annually. Debauched
by this immense tenpta ion. the remedy of
the Republican party is To meet the emer
gency by extravagant appropriations and
expenses.
gaiity in the public expense and abolish
unnecessary legislation. Our established
domestic industries and enterprises should
not, and need not, be endangered by re-
duction and correction of the burdens of
taxation. On the contrary, fair and care
full revision Of our tax law, with q due allow
ance Tor the difference tbetween the wages
of American and foreign labor, must pro
mote and encourage every branch or such
Of our indusu les and enterprises by giving
them sssIrauces of All extended market
aud steady aad continuous operations in
the interest OF American labor, which
should in no event be neglected
The revision OF our tax law contemplated
by the Democratic party should promote
The advantages of such labor by cheapenipg
the cost Of the pecessariss of life In the
home Of every workiugman, then at the
same time securing to lin steady and re-
munerative employment
Upon this question of tariff reform, so
closely concerning every phase of our ma
iionAi life. and upon every question involv-
ed in the problem OF good government, the
Democratic party submits Its principles and
professions to the Intelligent suffrases of
the American people.