Milford chronicle., 1888-06-15


ernment regulated by a written con-
s.itution strictly specifying every granted
power and expressly reserVimg to
the states or people the entire ungranted
residue OF power; the encouragement
Of a Jealous popular vigilance, directed to all
who have been chosen for brief terms to en-
act and execute the laws, and are charged
with the duty Of preserving peace, ensurlng
equality and establishing justice. The Demo
cratic party welcome an exacting scrutiny OF
the administration Of the executive power
which four years ago was committed 10 its
trust in the election Of Grover Cleveland as
president OF the United States, and II chal-
enges the most searcdlng inquiry concern
ing its hielity aud devotion to the
pledges which thea invited the sutfrages Of
the PEOPLE. During a most critical perloi Of
our financial affairs, resulting from over tax
alton, the anomalous condition Of our cur
rency and public debt uumatured, il has by
the adoption OF a wise and cons srvative
courss lot only averted disaster but greatly
promoted the prosperity OF the people.
1t has reversed the imprOvident and
unwise policy Of the Republican party
touching the public domain, and has
reclaimed from corporations and syndi-
Gates, alien and domestic, and restored
to the people nearly one hundred millions Of
acres Of valuable laud to be sacredly held as
homesteads for our citizens.
While carefully guarding the interest Of the
taxpayers and conforming strictly TO the
principles of justice and equality, it has paid
ont more for pensions and bounties to the
soldiers and sailors Of the republic than was
ever paid before during an equal period.
BY intelligent management and judicious
and economical expenditure OF the public
money, it has set on foot the reconstruction
OF the American navy mon system which
forbids the recurrence OF scandal and insures
successful results. Il has adopted and con-
sistently pursued a firm and prudent foreign
policy, preserving peace with all nations
while seIupulOusly maintaining all the rights
and interests OF our own government and
people at home and abroad.
The exclusion from our shores OF Chinese
laborers has been effectually secured under
the provisions Of a treaty, the operation Of
which has been postponed by the action Of a
Republican ma jOrity in the senate.
Honest reform in the civil service has been
iiaNgurated and maintained by President
Cleveland, and he has brought the public
service TO the highest standard Of efficiency,
not only by rule and precept, but by the
example of his own untiring and unseltish
administration Of public affairs.
In every branch and department OF
the government under Democratic control,
the rights and the welfare OF all the people
have been guarded and defended; every pub
lie interest has been protected, and the equal
ity Of all our citizens before the law, without
regard 20 race or color, has been steadfastly
maintained
the pledge Of a continuance to the people OF
the benefits Of good government, the national
Democracy invoke a renewal Of the popular
trust by the reelection Of a chief magistrate
who has been faithful, able and prudent
They invoke, in addition to that trust, the
transfer to the Democracy OF the entire leg
islative power.
The Republican party controlling the senate
and resisting in both houses Of congress a
reformation 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 be-
fore the law and the fairness and the justice
which are their right Thus the cry Of
American labor for better share OF the re
wards of industry is sttled with false pre-
lenses, enterprise is fettered and bound down
To home markets, capital is disturbed with
doubt, and unequal, unjust laws can never
be properly amended nor repealed.
The Democratic party will continue with
all the power confidel to it to struggle to re-
form these laws In accordance with pledges
of its last platform indOrSed at the ballot box
by the suffrages Of the people
OF all the industrious freemtn Of our land
an immense majority, including every tiller
of the soil, gain no advantage from exces-
sive tax laws, but the price OF nearly every
thing they buy is increased by tho favoI1tisln
of an unequal system Of tax legislation.
an unnecessary taxation is unjust taxa
tiOn. 1t is repugLs ant TO the creed of Democ-
racy that by sucs taxation the cost of tho
necessaries of life should be unjustly increased
to all our people. Judged by Democratic
principles the interests Of the people are be
trayed when, by unnecessary taxation trusts
and combines are permitted and fOstered
which viii unduly enrich the few that CONF
bine to rob our citizens by depriving them
of the benefit of natural composition. Every
Democratic rule Of governmental action is
vitiated when through unnecessary Ia xatiOn
n. L. -
economical administration is drawn from
the people and the channels Of trade and ac-
cunulated as a demOralizing surplus in the
national treasury.
The money now lying idle in the federal
treasury, resulting from superfuous taxation,
amounts to more than S125, on, ,UUU, ana Il
surplus collected is reaching the sum OF more
than 500. 600, 900 annually. Debauched by
this immense temptation the remedy OF the
Republican party IS to meet and exhaust u
by extravagant taxation. The Democratic
remedy is to enforce frugality in public ex'
penditures and abolish unnecessary tax
alton. Our established domestic industries
and enterprises should not, and need
not be endangered by a reduction and cor
rectiOn of tho burdens Of taxation. On the
con lrary, fair and careful revision Of our
tax laws, with due allowance for the diifer.
ence between tue wages OF American and
foreign labor, must permit and encourage
every branch of such industry ana en-
terpTiss by giving them assurance
Of an extended market and steady
and continuous operation in the interest oi
American labor, which should in no event be
neglected, the revision of our tax laws, con-
temp,ated 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, sc
closely concerning every phase Of our ma.
tionsl life, and upon every question involved
in the problem Of good government. the
Democratic party submits its principles and
professions to the intelligent sulfrages OF the
American people.
Secretary Petit, during the reading Of the
report Of the committee on resolutions, was
frequently compelled to stop for several sec
onds while the convention applauded sign.f.
cant assages in the platform. There was a
moderate vOlum3 Of applause at the opening
sentences, which reafilr1ned the utterances Of
the tariff plank in the platform Of 1884, but
when Secretary Petit read the paragraph in
dorsing the presidents message and declaring
that it correctly interpreted that plank, the
/ convention fairly rose to its feet and cheered
wildly for a full minute.
AT the conclusion of the reading of the
| platform, Mr Watterson addressed the con-
vention and was followel by Senator Cor
man. after which it was adopted unahi-
/ mOusly.
y