Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-08
THE PLATFORM.
Tarlh Tor Revenue Only, the Free Trade
Message, and the Mills Bill.


Hon. Henry Watterson, of Kentucky. an
nounced amid cheers that the Resolutions Com
mlstee was ready to report, ascending the plat
1orm as he spoke. He then announced that the
platform had been unanimously agreed upon
by the committee. Deafening cheers followed
the announcement
The reading was done by Reading Clerk
Ihomas Petit, of the House of Representatives
Every syllable was heard throughout the large
hall, and there was a great deal of cheering as
the reading progressed. The platform is as iol-
lows:
The Democratic party of the United States in
National Convention assembled, Ienews the
pledge OF Its fidelity TO Democratic faith. and
reahlrms the platform adopted by its repre-
sentatiyes IN the Convention of 1854, and in
Gorses the views expressed by President Cleye-
land IN his last earnest message to Congress as a
correct Interpretation Of that platform upon
the question of tariff reduction. and also indorses
the efforts of our Democratic representatives
IN congress to secure reduction of excessive
tax 'tion. Chief among its principles of the
party faith are the maintenance of an indissol-
uble Union OF free and indestructible States,
now about to enter upon its second century OF
uneXampled progress, and the known devotion
to the plan of Government regulated by a
written Constitution, strictly specifying every
granted power and expressly reserving to the
States or people the entiIe ungranted residue of
power; the encouragement of a Jealous popu-
lar vigilance directed to all who have been
CHOSEN lor Drlet terms to enact and execute the
laws and are charged with the duty of D. esery-
ing peace, lnsuTlng equality and establishing
justice for citizens before the law without re-
gard to race or color hese have been stead
lastly maInlit ncu upon its record thus eXhib-
tied and upon pledge of the continuance TO
the people OF these benefits the Democracy in
Vokes renewal OF popular trust by the re-elec-
ton of Chief Magistrate who has been faith
ful, able ana prudent; invokes an addition to
that trust 10y the transfer also to the Democracy
of the entire legislative power The Republi-
can party controlling the Senate and resisting
IN both douSes of Congress the reformation OF
unjust and unequal tax laws which have out
lasted necessities of war and are now under
mining the abundance of long peace, deny to
the people equally before the law the fairness
and justice which are their rights
The cry OF American labor for better share
IN the reward of industry is still stihsd with
false pretenses. Enterprise is fettered and
bound down as . some markets the capitalist
discouraged with unequal and unjust laws
winch can neither be properly amended nor re-
pealed.
he Democratic party will continue with nll
the power contided to it in the struggle to re-
form these laws i'll accordance with the pledges
OF It's last platform, indOr9ei at the ballot box
By the sutfrageS of the people. OF all the indus
tries OF the tTeemen of our land. the immense
majority, including every tiler of the soil gain
no advantage ffOm the excessive tax laws. bat
the price OF nearly everything they buy is in
creased by the iavoritism Of an unequal system
of tax legislation.
The Democratic party welcomes an exacting
scrutiny of the administration of ihe executive
power. which four years ago was committed to
President of the United States But it also
challenges the most searching inquiry concern
ing its fidelity and deF Otion to pledges npon
which II then Invited the sulirageS OF the peo-
pie during that most critical period Of our
| financial affairs resulting from over taxation.
the anomalous condition of our currency aud
public debt uumatured. It has reversed the
improvident and unwise policy Of the Republi-
can party touching the public domain, and has
reclaimed from corporations and syndicaies,
ellen and domestic, and has restored TO the peo-
1l moo hN4rR 2.sal -
valuable land TO be sacredly held as homesteads
for our citizens
While carefully guarding the Treasury with
an interest to the principles of Justice and
equity, it has paid out more for pensions snd
bountes to the soldiers and sailors of the Re-
public than was ever paid before during an
equal period.
1t has adopted and consistently pursued q
finn and prudent foreign policy preserving
peace with all nations while scrupuously main,
tanning all the rights and interests of our own
Government and people at home and abroad.
Inc exclusion from our shores of Chinese
laborers has been ehectualy secured md the
provisions of "a treaty, the operation of which
has been postponed by the action of the Repub-
hcan msjority in the senate
Honest reform in the civil service has been
inaugurated and maintained by President
Cleveland, and he has brought the public serv-
icei TO the highest standard of efficiency not
only by rule and precept, but by the example OF
his own untiring and unselfsh administration
of public affairs.
III every DlaUcu ana department OF the Gov
ernment under Democratic control the rights
and welfare of all the people have been guarded
and defended.
livery public interest has been protected and
the equality of all increased to all cur people.
Judged by Democratic principles the interests
OF the people are betrayed when by unnecessac "
taxation, trusts and combinations are permitted
to exist, which, while undulv euriching the
few, combine to rob the body of our citizens, by
depriviDg them of the common benefits of natu-
raj competition. Every Democratic rule OF
government is violated when through unneces-
safv ta1atlon, vast sum OF money far beyond
the needs OF economical administration is drawn
from the people and the channels of trade and
the accumulation is demoralzing
All unnecessary taxation is unjust taxation
It is repugnant to the creed of the Democracy
that by such taxation the cost of the neeessares
of.llie should be measured. The injustice already
resulting from superfiuous taxation amounts Ia
more than sl25, COO and the surplus collected
is reaching the sum of more than SEQ Ot0 900 an
nually. Debauched by this immense tempta-
ton, the remedy of the Republican party is to
exhaust by extravagant appropriations and
expenses, whether constitutional or not the ae-
cumulat1on of eXttavagant taxation.
Inc Democratic policy is to enforce frugality
IN pubic expenditures, and to abolish unneces-
sary taxation upon our established domestic in
duStries. These enterprises should not and need
not be endangered by a reduction and correction
of the burdens of taxation On the contrary a
fair and careful revision of our tax laws with
! due allowance for the difference between the
wages OF American and foreign labor must pro
mote aud encourage every branch of such in
dustries and enterprises by giving them assur-
ances of extended markets and steady and con
tinuous operation. In the interests of American
labor, which should in no event be neglected.
the revision of our tax laws contemplated by the
Democratic party should promote the advantage
! OF such labor by cheapening the cost of the
necessaries of life in the home of every working.
man. at the same time securing to him steady
and remuneratiye employment.
Upon this question of tariff reform so closely
concerning every phase of our national life and
upon every question involved in the problem Of
good government the Democratic party submits
suifrages of the American people II has. by
the adoption of wise and conservative course
not only averted disaster but greatly promoted
the prosperity of our people.
NONE TOO MUCH ENTHUSIASM.
The reading of the platform did not call forth
any particular amount of applause. Hspeeiall,
, did the civil service plank fall fat, hardly
muruur OF appreciation being heard