The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-06-15
The Democratic Platform.

sembled, rene VS. the pledge of its fideli-
" TO Democratic faith, and reaflirms the
platform adopted by its representatives
in the convention OF 1884, and indorses
the views expressed by President Clcve-
land in his last annual message to Con-
gress as the correct Interpretation of
that platform upon the question of tar
III reduction and also IndOIses the
efforts of our Democratic representa-
tives in Congress to secure a reduction
of excessive taxation.
"Chief among its principles of party
faith are the maintainance of an Indis-
soluble union of free and indestructIble
States, now about to enter upon its
second century of unexampled progress
and renown devotion 10 a plan of gov
eminent regulated BY a written consti-
tuition strictly specifying every granted
power, and expressly reserving to the
States or people the entire ungranted
residue offs power the encouragement
OF a jealous popular vigilance, directed
20 all who have been chosen for brief
terms to enact and execute the laws,
and are charged with the duty of pre-
serving peace, insuTing equality and es-
tablishiDg justice.
1.-The Democratic party welcome in
exacting scrutiny OF the administration
of the executive power, which four years
ago was committed TO its trusts in the
election of GroverkC Cleveland President
OF the United States, but it challenges
the most searching inquiry concerning
its fidelity and devotion to the pledges
which then invited the suff-ages OF the
psople. During a most critical period
of our financial affairs, resulting from
over-taXation, the anomalous condition
of our currency, and a public debt un-
matured, it has, by the adoption of
wise and conservative course, not only
averted disaster, but greatly promoted
the prosperity of the people. It has re-
versed the imprcvIdent and unwise poll
cy of the Republican party touching
the public domain, and mas reclaimed
from corporations and syndicates, alien
and domestic, and restored 10 the people
nearly one hundred millions of acres OF
valuable land 20 be sacredly held as
hOmesteads for our citizens.
while carefully guarding the inter
ests OF the taxpayers and conforming
strictly to the principles of justice and
equity. 1t has paid out more for pen
siOns and bounries TO the soldiers and
sailors of the Republic than was ever
paid before during au equal period
''By intelligent management and q
judiciOus and economical expenditure of
the public money, iG mas set on foot the
reconstruction of the American navy
upon a system which fOrbiis the recur-
renee OF scandal and insures successful
results.
"It has adopted ard consistently
pursued firm and prudent foreign poll
cy, preserving peace with al nations
while scrupulOusly maintaining all the
rights and interests OF our Government
and people al home and abroad.
The exclusion from our shores of
Chinese laboreTs has been effec,ually
secured under the provisions or a treaty,
the operation of which has been postpo-
ned by the action of Republican ma
jOIity IN the Senate.
Honest reform in the Civil Service
has been iuaugaEa:ed and maintained
by President Cleveland, and he has
brought the public service % the high
est standard Of efficiency not only by
rule and precept, but by the example
OF his own untiring and unsellish ad-
minisJratiou Of public affairs.
I'm every branch aud department of
the government under Democratic con-
troll, the rights and the welfare OF ali
the people have been guarded and de-
protected and the equality OF all oar
citizens HefOre the law, without regard
to race or color, has been steadfast!y
maintained.
upon its record thus exhibited, and
upon the pledge of continuance 20
the people % the benefits Of good gov
eminent, the National Democracy in
vOkes a renewal OF popular trust by the
aMa...H 80. 4.
has been faithful. able and prudent.
They invoke IN addition to that trust by
the transfer also to the Democracy of
the legislative power.
The Republican party, controlling
the Senate and resisting 10 both Houses
of Congress q reformation of unjust and
unequal tax laws which have outIasted
the necessities OF war. and are now un-
dermining the abundance OF a long
peace, deny to the people equality be-
befOne the law and the fairness and the
justice which are their rights.
The cry of American labor for bet
ter share of the rewards of industry is
stiflsd with false pTetense enterprise
is fettered and bound down to home
markets capital is disturbed with
doubE and unequal, uni ust laws can
neither be properly amended nor re-
pealed.
1.-The Democratic party will continue
with all the power conided to it to strug>
gle to reform these laws in accordance
with the pledges of its last platform,
indorsed at the ballot box bythe suf-
RACES of the people.
''Of all the Industrious freemen OF
our land an immense majority, tnclud-
! ing every tiller of the soil, gain no ad-
vantage from excessive tax laws but
the price OF nearly everything they buy
I Is increased by the fayOTitism of an IN
/ equal system of tax legislation All
unnecessary taxation is unjust taxation.
/ 1t Is repugDant to the creed OF Democ-
racy that 10y such taxation the cost of
/ the necessaTies OF life should be unjust
/ ly increased 10 all our people. Judged
I by Democratic principles, the interests
/ OF the people are betrayed when, by
/ unnecessary taxation, trusts and com
4 hinatiOns are permitted and fostered
I which will uEduly enrich the few that
/ combine TO rob our citizens by deuriv-
/ ing Them of the benefit OF natural COM
| petition. Every Democratic rule of
/ governmental action Is violated when.
/ through unnecessary taxation, a vast
\ sum OF money, far beyond the needs Of
/ an economical administration. is drawn
\ from the people and the channels of
/ trade, and accumulated as a demoral-
/ lZing surplus in the National Treasury.
/ The money now lying idle in the
Federal Treasury, resulting from super
I huOus taxation, amounts 20 more than
I Sl2j. COO, 600; and ID e surplus collected
I Is reaching the sum or more than $50. -
i OOO,OOO annually. Debauched by this
/ immense temptation, the remedy of the
/ Republican party is TO meet and TO ex-
\ haust II by extravigant taxation. The
! Democratic remedy - TO enforce frugality
I In public expenditures, and abolish un-
/ necessary taxation. Our established do
Y nestle industries and enterprises should