Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-10-18
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

sented the following platform
which, he said, had neen adopted
by the comlitl,e almost unanl
moOsly:
The Democratic party ot virgin
/ ia. IN convention assembled, proud
of its past achievements both IN
/ State and National affairs, pledges
the same steadfast fidelity 10 The
best interests OF the people in the
future, and declares to tho people
of Virginia:
First. We congratulate tho peo
pie of Virginia that through the
wise legislation and administration
OF the Den, Ocratic party the public
schools have been preserved IN eli
ficient operation, aud their accom-
mOdations extended; that the re'
eources necessary for the conduct
of the government in all its depart
ments have been secured, and that
the debt question has been put III
train of fiual acceptable settlement.
We would reprObate as michleV-
GUS to all interests the re0penlng
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 aud 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
ant effisiency 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.
priatlons by the Federal Govern
ment apportIoned among the States
in the ratio of llllteracy of their
population.
Third. The Democratic party
regards the encouragement and
Fostering of agriculture rs all I'M
portant to the prosperity OF Nlr-
ginia. and IN securing valuable
emlgrants is necessary to the full
uccess of agricult ure in the State.
Therefore we declare that the Dem
ocratlc party ~ its sympathles, its
principles, and its 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. Tie 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 IL
will prevent conflict between con-
wet and honest labor. 1t is oppos'
ed 10 and will resist the introdue'
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 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 the enforcement
of the policy Of preserving to her
citizens the free use Of all natural
loyster.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 reuews It's adj
herence to the principles and poll
cies Oh The tariff and internal rev.
enue, so often enunciated in the
platforms of the State and National
conventions Of the Democratic par
ty and sustained 10y The voice of the
people at the polls, and especially
does it insist upon tue 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 - law
recurring the agricultural institd'
tions of the State to DO placed uu'
der the control of practical farm
ers.
Ninth. We recommend a revision
OF the laws imposing taxes on
land, with the view to relieving IL
of any unjust or unequal taxation
now imposed upon it.
Tenth. We endorse the wise,
patriotic, aud judicious admlnlstra-
ton of Governor Fitzhugh Lee.
Eleventh. we believe that the
men who we're disabled In The
service of the State 'nring the late
conflict between thu states and the
widows of those who lost their lives
in such service are deserving OF
aid and protection, aud we FAVOR
such liberal appropriations within
the revenues Of the State as Will
tend TO this end.
Twelfth. While earnestly ia Ia
vor of reforming the tsriff upon
| lust, conversative, economic prlncl'
ples. we recognize that the issues
and conditions which confront us
| in Virginia in the impending con
test are UNNECESSARILY more lmpor'
lance than tariff reform or the re-
ductiOn 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 PEG
pie, the party of peace, good ordeI
and good government-.whlcn mas
safely and wisely conducted the
| State through the frying ana
ltroublous times of tue 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 oil
high taxes, OF corrupt and extra'a
gsnt expenditure Of the public rev
enues, OF unjust aud oppressive