Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-11-01
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

Committee on Resolpii.n~. pre-
sentrd the following platform,
which, be said had Deeu adopted
10y the committee almost unani-
mously:
The Democratic party Of Virgin
/ ia, Ia convention assembled, proud
of its past achievements both in
State and National affairs, pledges
the same steadfast fidelity TO the
best interests OF the people in the
future, and declares to the people
of Virginia:
First. We congratulate the peO-
ple of Virginia that through the
wise legislation and administration
OF the Den. Ocratic party the public
schools have been preserved IN ef
6cient operation, and Their accom-
mOdatIons extended; that the re-
sources necessary for the conduct
# ,he government in all its depart
hrnts have been secured, and that
The debt question has been put in
train OF final acceptable settlement.
We would reprObate ~ michieg-
Gus to all interests the reOpenlng
OF an issue which has been the
source of so mnch embarrassment
aud 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.
tion 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 apportioned among the States
in the ratio of IlIlteracy Of their
population.
Third. The Democratic party
regards the encouragement ana
fostering OF agriculture ~ all I'M
portant to the prosperity of Nir-
glnia, and IN securing valuable
emIgrant- is necessary T. The full
uccess of agrlcull urc in the State.
Therefore We declare that the Dem.
ocratic party IN its Sympataies, it's
principles, and ils policies is the
trend .ot agriculture, and will by
all proper legislation advaoce, los.
ter, and secuIe the agricultural in
terests in the state.
FOur,h. The Democratic party
has been, is and Nill be the irirnd
OF the laborcl It's ilort has ever
been to dignity tabor and elevate
the man. AZ far As Practicable it
will prevent conflict between con
wet and honest labor. 1t is oppos-
ed to and will resist the introduc-
ton of foreign pauper labor; and
we favor the collection OF statistics
by the Labor Bureau OF the United
States and the consideration by 1t
Of all matters which tend 10 the
Improvement and advancement OF
the laboring classes.
Fifth. The Democratic party
will foster the oyster industry of
Virginia for the benefit Of her own
citizens, and favOrs tie 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 to individuals or cor
pOratiOns.
Sixth. The party renews Its ad-
herence TO the principles and poll
cies on the tariff and internal rev
enue, so often enunclated in the
platforms of the State and National
conventions ot the Democratic par
ty and sustained by the voice OF the
people al the polls. and especially
does it. insist upon the immediate
abolition OF the tax upon tobacco
aud fruit brandies.
Seventh. The Democratic party
of Virginia favOrs the complete re.
mOnetization and the free coinage
of silver.
Eighth. We are in favor Of a law
requiring the agricultural institu-
tions of the State to be placed un-
der the control of practical farm
ers.
Ninth. We recommend a revision
OF the laws imposing taxes on
land, with the view TO relieving it
of any unjust or unequal taxation
now imposed upon it.
Tenth. We endorse the wise,
patriotic, aud judiciOus adminlstra-
ton 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 lives
in such service are deserving of
aid and protection, and we favor
such liberal appropriations within
the revenues Of the State as will
tend TO this end.
Twelfth. While earnestly in ia
vor of reforming the tariff upon
Just, conyersative, economic prlncl-
pies, We recognize that the issues
and conditions which confront us
In Virginia in the impending con.
test are immeasurably more impOr-
tance than tariff reform or the re-
ductlOn OF Federal taxation, lmpOr'
tant as those questions are. Every
business interest of the State, every
social interest, every political in
terest, demands that the Demo
cratic party-the party OF the peo-
pie, the party OF peace, good order
and good government-wbich has
safely and wisely conducted the
State through the trying and
troublous times of the past, shall
be continued in power. We oppose
the Republican party as the party
Of sectional strife. We oppose the
Republican party as the party OF
high taxes, of corrupt and extrava-
giant expenditure of the public rev.