Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-10-04
DEMOCRA PLATFORM.


by the committee almost uuani-
mOusly:
The Democratic party Of Virgin
ia, IN convention assembled, proud
of It's 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'
pie of Virginia that through the
wise legislation and administration
OF the Democratic party the public
schools have been preserved IN eft
hcient operation, and their accom-
mOdatiOns 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 az michieg-
GUS to all interests the reopeulng
OF an issue which has been the
source of so much 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.
ton upon 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 THE end we favor liberal apprO.
priatiOns by the Federal Govern.
ment apportIOned among the States
in the ratio Of llllteracy OF their
population.
Third. The Democratic party
regards the encouragement aud
fostering of agriculture rs all i'm.
portant to the prosperity Of Viz
ginia, and IN securing valuable
emlgrants is necessary to the full
uccess of agriculture in the State.
Therefore we declare that the Dem.
ocratic party 10 its sympathies, it's
principles, and its policies is the
Trend 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 dignify 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 intrOduc.
ton of foreign pauper labor; and
we favor the collection of statistics
by the Labor Bureau Of the United
States aud the consideration by 1t
of all matters which tend 10 the
Improvement and advancement of
the labOrlng classes.
Fifth. The Democratic party
will foster the oyster industry of
Virginia for the benefit of her own
citizens, ana favOrs the enforcement
of the policy of preserving to her
citizens the free use of all natural
oyster-rocks, beds and shoals az
regulated by law, and will oppose
the transfer or surrender of public
rights therein to individuals or cor
pOra;ions.
Sixth. The party renews its ad.
herence to the principles and poll
cies on .he tariff and internal rev
enue, so Oiten enunciated 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
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 q law
requiring the agricultural institu-
tiOns of the State TO be placed un
der the control of practical farm.
ers.
Ninth. We recommend revision
OF the laws imposing taxes on
land, with the view TO relieving 1t
Of any unjust or unequal taxation
now imposed upon II.
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 o. 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 UNNECESSARILY more impOr-
lance than tariff reform OF the re.
ductiOn of Federal taxation, impOr-
tant as those questions are. Every
business interest of the State, every
social interest, every political ln'
terest, demands that the Demo
cratic party-tbe party OF the neo-
pie. the party OF peace, good order
and good government--which has
safely aud 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
hlgh taxes, Of corrupt aud extrara'
CANT expenditure Of the public rev.
enues, OF unjust aud oppressive
treatment of the people OF the
southern States-the creator of
trusts and the promoter OF mOnOp-