The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-08-22
The Democratic Platform.

First. The democratic party of Va, 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 We congratulate the people of
Virginia that through the wise legislation
and administration of the democratic
party, the public schools have been pre-
served in efficient operation. and their
accommodations extended that the re-
sources necessary for the conduct of the
government in all it's departments have
been secured. and that the debt question
has been put in train of final and accept
able settlement We would reprobate.
as mischievous to all interests, the re-
opening of an issue which has been the
source of so much embarrassment and
vexation to the Commonwealth, and with
the continuance of the party administra-
ton which has dealt with it ably and
wisely, we confidently look to it's solution
upon the line of adjustment which the
people have endorsed, and which the
democratic representatives have faith
fully executed.
Second. The democratic party founded
the public school system of this Common
wealth. The present 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 appropriations by the fed
eral government, apportioned among the
States in the ratio of the iliiteracy of
their population.
Third. The party regards the encour-
agement and fostering of agriculture as
all important to the prosperity of Vir
ginia, and that securing valuable immi-
grants is necessary to the full success of
agriculture in the State; therefore we
declare that the democratic party in its
sympathies, its principles and its policies
is the friend of agriculture, and will by
all proper legislation advance, foster and
secure the agricultural interests in the
State.
Fourth. The 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 practic-
able it will prevent conflict between con-
Wet 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 consideration by
it of all matters which tend to the i'm
provement and advancement of the la
boring 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 preserv-
ing to her citizens the free use of all nat
ural oyster rocks, beds and shoals as
regulated by law, and will oppose the
transfer or surrender of the public rights
therein to individuals or corporations.
Sixth. The party renews it's adherence
to the principles and policies of the tariff
and internal revenue so often enunciated
in the platforms of the State and National
conventions 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.
Seventh. The democratic party of Vir-
ginia favors the complete reconciliation
and the free coinage of silver.
Eighth. We are in favor of law re-
quiring the agricultural institutions of
the State to be placed under the control
of practical farmers.
Ninth. We recommend revision of the
laws imposing taxes on land, with view
to relieving it of any unjust or unequal
taxation now imposed upon it.
Tenth. We indorse the wise, patriotic
and judicious administration 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 deserv-
ing of aid and protection, and we favor
such liberal appropriation within the
revenues of the State as will tend to this
end
Twelfth. While earnestly in favor of
reforming the tariff upon just, conserva-
tive and economic principles, we recog-
nize that the issues and conditions which
confront us in Virginia in the impending
contest are Of UNNECESSARILY more impor-
lance than tariff reform or the reduction
of federal taxation, important as those
questions are. Every business interest
of the State, every social interest, every
political interest, demands that the dem
ocratic party-the party of the people,
the party of peace, good order and good
government, which has safely and wisely
conducted the government of 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 high taxes, of corrupt and ex-
travagant expenditure of the public reve-
nues, of unjust and oppressive treatment
of the people of the Southern States. the
creator of trusts, the promoter of monop-