Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-08-23
THE PLATFORM.

which, he said, had been adopted
by the committee almost unani
mously:
The Democratic party Of Vir
ginia, in convention assembled
proud of its past achievement
both in State and national affairs
pledges the same steadiast fidelity
TO the best interests of the peo.l'
IN the future, and declares to thu
people OF Virginia:
First. We congratulate the PEG
pie of Virginia that through thu
wise legislation and administra
ton of the Democratic party tbs
pablo schools have been preserved
in efficient operation, and their &C
commodations extended {; that thu
resources necessary for the conduct
of the government in all It's de
partments have been secured, snC
that the debt question has beeI
put in train Ut final acceptable
settlement.
We would reprobate as mischiev
GUS to all interests the reopenlni
of an issue which has been the
source of so much embarrassment
and veYation to the Commonwealth
and with the continuance OF the
party administration which hai
dealt with it ably and wisely, We
confidently look to It's speedy solu
ton upon the lines Of adjustment
which the people have endorsed
and which their Democratic rep
resentatives have faithfully execu
ted.
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 aud support the public schools
until every child shall be
able to secure the benefits
of education. To this end we
favor liberal appropriations by the
Federal Government apportloned
among the States in the ratio OF
illiteracy of their population.
Third. The Democratic party
regards the encouragement aud
fostering of agriculture as all In
portant to the prosperity OF VIZ
gina, and that securing valuable
emigrants is necessary to the full
success Of agriculture in the State.
Therefore we declare that the
Democratic party in its sympsthies,
its principles, and its policies is
the friend of agriculture, and Will
bv all proper legislation advance,
foster, and secure the agricultural
interests IN the State.
Fourth. The Democratic party
has been, is aud will be the friend
of the laborer. Its effort has ever
been to dignity labor and elevate
the man. AS far as practicable II
will prevent conflict between con-
Wet and honest labor. 1t is oppos'
ed to and will resist the intrOduc-
ton OF foreign pauper labor; aud
we favor the collection OF statistics
by the Labor Bureau Of the United
States and the consideration by It
of all matters which tend TO the
Improvement and advancement OF
the labOring classes.
Fifth. The Democratic party
will foster the oyster industry oil
Virginia for the beueft Of her own
citizens. aud favors the enforcement
Of the policy of preserving to her
citizens the free use Of all natural
oyster.rocks, beds aud shoals as
regulated by law. aud will oppose
the transfer or surrender OF public
rights therein to individuals or cor
pOrationS.
Sixth. The party renews lts al
herence to the principles and poll
clps on the tariff and internal rev.
enue. so often enumerated IN the
platforms of the State aud National
conventions Of the Democratic par
ty and sustained by the voice of the
people at the polls, and especially
does il insist upon the immediate
abolition OF the tax upon tobacco
and fruit brandies.
Seventh. The Democratic party
of Virginia favOrs the complete re-
monetIzation and the free coinage
of silver.
Eighth. We are III favor OF law
recurring the agricultural institu'
tions of the State to be placed
under the control Of practical farm
ers.
Ninth. We recommend a re-
vision of the laws imposing taxes
on land, with the view to relieving
it of any unjust or unequal taxa
ton now imposed upon 1t.
Tenth. we endorse the wise,
patriotic, and iudicious adminlstra'
ton of Governor Fltzhugh Lee.
Eleventh. We believe that the
men who were disabled i'll 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 oil
aid and protection, aud We favor
such liberal appropriations within
the revenues Of the State as Will
tend to this end.
Twelfth. While earnestly In IA
yor of reforming the tarih upon
inst. conversatlve, economic prlncl'
ples. we recognize that the Issues
and conditions which confront us
in Virginia IN the impending con-
test are immeaSurably more lmpor'
lance than tariff reform or the re-
duction of Federal taxation, impor'
tant as those questions are. Every
business interest OF the State, every
social intercst, every political IN
terest, demands that the Demo
cratic plrty-the part OF the peo
pie, the party OF peace, good order
and good government-whlch mas
safely and wisely conducted the
State through the trying ano
troublous times OF the past, sinai
be continued IN power. We oppose
the r ,pnblican party as the part.
of sectional strife. We oppose thu
Republican party as the party o
high taxes, of corrupt and extrs'va
CANT expenditure of the publlcirev
enues, ut UNI lst and Oppressive
treatment of the people OF tn
southern States-the creator O
trusts and The promoter OF u1OnOp