Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-08-23
The Opening Campaign.
INTERESTING READING FOR DEMOCRATS
AND OTHERS.
THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMIT
TEE-Gov. CAMERoN's OPINION OF
MAHoNE's "FoRCE, FRAUD AND
FINANCE" - MISCELLANEOUS POLITE
CAL NEWS.

-
paign reading, including the platform
adopted at the Richmond convention:
The Platform of the Virginia Democrats
The following is the platform unanimously
adopted by the Convention at Richmond;
''The Democratic party of Virginia, in con-
vention assembled, proud of its past achieve
ments, both in State and National affairs,
pledges the same steadfast fidelity to the best
interests of the people in the future. and de-
clares to the people of Virginia:
THEY WILL STAND BY THE RIDDLEBERGER
SETTLEMENT.
First We congratulate the people of Virginia
that through the wise legislation and admins
tration of the Democratic party the public
schools have been preserved i'll efficient opera
ton, and their accommodations extended; that
the resources necessary for the conduct OF the
government in all its departments have been
secured, and that the debt question has been
put in train of final and acceptable settle
settlement.
We would reprobate as mischievous to all
interests the reopening 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, solution upon
the lines of adjustment which the people have
endorsed, and which their Democratic repre-
sentative have faithfully executed.
WHAT THE DEMOCRACY DOES FOR THE PUBLIC
SCHOOL SYSTEM.
Second. The Democratic party founded the
public school system of this Commonwealth.
The present efficiency of the system is the re-
suit of Democratic laws and Democratic
effort. We will care for and support the pub
lie schools until every child shall be able to
the benefits of Aunp1tiOn no this end
we favor liberal appropriations by the Federal
Government aDportioned among the States in
the ratio of illiteracy of their population.
THE FARMING INTEREST.
Third. The Democratic party regards the
encouragement and fostering OF agriculture
as all important to the prosperity of Virginia,
and that securing valuable emigrants is nee
essary to the full success OF agriculture in
the State Therefore we declare that the
Democratic party in it's sympathes, its prn-
ciples, and its policies is the friend OF agrl-
culture and Will by all proper legislation
advance, foster, and secure the agricultural
interests in the State.
LABOR.
Fourth. The Democratic party has been,
is, and will be the friend of the laborer Its
effort has ever been to dignity labor and ele-
vate the man. AS far as practicable it will
prevent conflict between convict and honest
labor. 1t is opposed to and will resist the
Introduction of foreign pauper labor; and we
favor the collection of statistics by the labor
Bureau of the United States and the consider
alton by it Of all matters which tend to the
improvement and advancement OF the labor
ing classes.
Fifth. The Democratic party will foster
the oyster industry of Virginia for the benefit
of her own citizens, and favors the enforce
ment of the policy of preserving to her citi-
the free of q IL natural OVStpf-rOCkS
beds, and shoals as regulated by law, and
will oppose the transfer or surrender of the
public rights therein to individuals or cor
poratiOnS.
INTERNAL REVENUE.
Sixth. The party renews its adherence to
the principles and policies on the tariff and
internal revenue, so often enunciated i'll the
platforms of the State and national conven-
lions of the Democratic party 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.
THE PEOPLE S COIN.
Seventh. The Democratic party of Virginia
favors the complete reconciliation and the
free coinage OF silver
FARMERS TO CONTROL THE AGRICULTURAL
INSTITUTIONS OF VIRGINIA.
Eighth. We are in favor of a law requiring
the agricultural institutions of the State to be
placed under the control Of practical farmers.
EQUALIZATION OF TAXATION.
Ninth. We recommend a revision of the
laws imposing taxes on land, with a view to
relieving it of any unjust OF Unequal taxation
now imposed upon it.
FITZ LEE.
Tenth. We endorse the wise patriotic, and
iudicOuS administration of Governor FitZhugll
Lee.
VIRGINIAs WAR VETERANS.