Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-09-20
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

by the committee almost unanl
mously:
The Democratic party Of Virgin
ia, IN convention assembled, proud
of its past achievements both IL
State and National affairs. pledges
the same steadfast fidelity to thu
best interests OF the people 10 thu
future, and declares to the people
of Virginia:
First. We congratulate the PEG
pie of Virginia that through thu
wise legislation and administration
OF the Democratic party the public
schools have been preserved IN OF
ficient operation, and their accom-
mOdatlons extended; that the re
sources necessary for the conduct
of the government In all its depart
ments have been secured, and that
the debt question has been put In
train of final acceptable settlement
We would reprobate as michleV
GUS to all interests the reOpenlng
of an issue which has been the
source of so much embarrassment
and vexation TO the Commonwealth
and with the continuance OF the
party administration which has
dealt with it ably and wisely, we
confidently look to its speedy solu'
ton upou the lines of adjustment
which the people have endorsed
and which their Democratic repre-
sentatiyes have faithfully executed
Second. The Democratic party
founded the public school system
of this Commonwealth. The pres
ent efficiency of the system is the
result of Democratic laws and
| Democratic effort. We will care
for and support the public schools
until every child shall be able to
secure the benefits Of education.
To this end we favor liberal appro-
priations by the Federal Govern
ment appOrtloued among the States
in the ratio OF illiteracy OF their
population.
Third. The Democratic party
regards the encouragement aud
fostering of agriculture rs all i'm
portaut to the prosperity of Vir-
ginia. aud 10 securing valuable
emlgrants is necessary to the full
uccess of agriculture in the State.
Therefore we declare that the Dem
ocratic party IN it's sympathies, it's
principles, and it's policies is the
friend of agriculture, and will by
all proper legislation advance, fos.
ter, and secure the agricultural In
terests in the State.
Fourth. The Democratic party
has been, is and will be the friend
of the laborer. Its effort has ever
been to dignity labor and elevate
the man. AS far as practicable 1t
will prevent conflict between con-
wet and honest labor. 1t is oppos'
ed TO and will resist the introduce
ton of foreign pauper labor; and
we favor the collection OF statistics
Inv the Labor Bureau OF the United
States and the consideration BY 1t
of all matters which tend to the
Improvement and advancement OF
tue labOring classes.
Fifth. The Democratic party
will foster the oyster industry OF
Virginia for the benefit Of her own
citizens, and favors tile enforcement
of the policy Of preserving to her
citizens the free use Of all natural
oyster.rocks, beds and shoals as
regulated by law, and will oppose
the transfer or surrender OF public
rights therein 10 individuals or cor
pora;ions.
Sixth. The party renews It's adj
herence to the principles and poll
cies on The tariff aud internal rev.
enue, so often enuncisted in the
platforms of the State and National
conventions OF the Democratic par
ty and sustained by the voice OF the
PEOPLE at the polls: and especially
| does it insist upon the immediate
abolition of the tax upon tobacco
and fruit brandies.
Seventh. The Democratic party
of Virginia favors the complete re-
monetizatiou aud the free coinage
of silver.
Eighth. We are in favor OF a Law
recurring the agricultural institu
tons Of the State TO be placed un'
der the control Of practical farm
ers.
Ninth. we recommend revision
OF tue laws imposing taxes on
land. With the view TO relieving II
of any unjust or unequal taxation
now imposed upon it.
Tenth. We endorse tue wise
patriotic, aud judiciOus admlnlstra
zion of Governor Fitzhugh Lee.
Eleventh. We believe that the
men who were disabled IN the
service of the State during the late
conflict between the States and the
widows of those who lost their live'
in such service are deserving ol
aid and protection, aud We iavol
such liberal appropriations within
the revenues OF the State ss vii
tend 10 this end.
Twelfth. While earnestly In Ia
vor of reforming the tarif upot
lust. conyersative, economic prlnci
ples, we recognize that the issue'
and conditions which confront III
ia Virginia in the impending con
test are UNNECESSARILY more lmpor
lance than tariff reform or the re
duction of Federal taxation, lDpor
tant AS those questions are. Every
business interest of the State, every
social interest, every political III
terest, demands that the Demo
cratic party-the party OF the PEG
pie, the part, OF peace, good orie
and good gOvernment--whlch MAJ
safely and wisely conducted thu
State through tue trying ant
troub'ous times Of the past, shal
be continued in power. We oppos'
the Republican parry as the part!
of sectional strife. We oppose th'
Republican party as the party o
high taxes, of corrupt aud e1traVa
gant.expentlturr Of the public rev
enues, OF unjust aud oppreSSlV
; treatment of the people oil ID
, southern States-the creator q
trusts and tue promoter OF monop
olies. Ne oppose the Repu0licaI