The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-10-05
The Democratic Platform.

Following is the platform adopted by the
Democratic State Convention on Thursday o
last week:
"The representatives of the Democratic
marty of MARYLAND, in State convention as
sembled, heartily reaffirm the platform adopted
by the national Democratic convention, OF
1888, at st. Louis, and with undated conf
dence in the truth and final triumph of the
political principles announced in that admir-
able document, pledge the party in this State
to renewed and vigorous efforts IN their sup
port
TRUSTS CONDEMNED.
They unite with their Democratic brethren
in our sister States in pointed condemnation
of the vast combinations of capital i'll many
of the most important and necessary branches
of industry and business, which, under the
misleading name of trusts have inflicted
such serious injury upon the people, and
which, unless arrested in their powerful or
CARNATIONS, will create great and alarming
distress by limiting the supply and ruInously
enhancing the price of many articles OF prime
necessity at the mere pleasure of the man
ayers ofthese illegal combinations. Vigorous
measures should be taken to check tins great
and growing evil.
\ PLEDGE OF ECONOMY.
D In the management va Jul A'ttAtS HAeRiA .
/ they pledge the party to a continuance OF
/ strict economy in every department OF the
I government and to a close and careful scrutiny
! of all receipts and expenditures, so that no
I abpses in the collection and disbursement of
{ the public money may be permitted to exist.
/ They congratulate the State that under Demo
/ cratic rule for twenty-five years its credit has
[ been so admirably and highly maintained, and
that under the provisions OF an act OF the last
! Legislature more than four millions OF dollars
ofthe public debt have been refunded by the
/ Governor. comptroller and treasurer upon
favorable terms. and with a saving OF $780,
/ 900 in annual interest.
ASSESSMENT or PROPERTY.
Bearing in mind that in the thirteen years
that have elapsed since the last general as.
seSsmeut of property in this State many and
great changes In values have taken place, and
that much OF the property OF individuals aud
corporatious which ought to contribute ITS
fair proportion to the proper administration
of the government of the State and OF the
several counties and the city of Baltimore
now wholly or in large part escapes assess
ment and taxation, they declare that new
assessment is now demanded ia order that the
burdens oftaxaiion may be equally distributed
in accordance with the plain article Of the
bill Of rights.
HiGH LIQUOR LICENSE.
In dealing with the important question OF
taxation for State and local purposes they
declare that power should be conferred by
appropriate legislation upon the city OF Bal
timorc and other municipalities to raise rev
enue for local purposes by additional licenses
20 carry on such branches OF business or trade
ur 10 conduct such occupations IS are now
required TO be licensed for purposes of State
49, hall sr.s, FtaFsrfs-a the STATE
treasury Of the revenue derived from licenses
As are now or may hereafter be provided by
the Legislature Of this State. By such an
enlargement Of municipal power the rate OF
local taxation in the city Of Baltimore and IN
some Of eur other cities and chartered towns
nav h.. materially reduced without lesseniug
the revenue Of the State and without injustice
or oppression to individuals By judieious
adiastmeri Of licenses 10 sell liquor, with the
saprTaddcd restrictive features which expert.
ence elsewhere has proved 10 be sanitary aud
etiectual. such legislation should De made 20
subservc The double purpose Of reducing the
rafe Of taxation on property, 90 the great re.
lief Of the people. and at the same time OF
largely removing from our midst the degr4-
ding and destructive vice Of iatemPeance.
rrgE ggcrtoSs WANTED,
Recalling w;th just pride the reforms in the
EEAAA4iE 70 AtA& - fNs-7 $40
10 the elective franchise which Democratic
Legislatures have enacted. the faith OF the
party is nos distinctly pledged % further
and more careful review OF this fundamental
and mos, vital subject. 50 thai At the coming
session Of the General Assembly, following
the good example ~ by many OF our sister
States, stringent PROVISIONS may be adopted
for the parpsssr OF preserving more thoroughly
the purity Of the ballot box by preventing
bribery. fraadnlent colonization OF VOTERS; re
pcatisg and all other oHenses against the
elective franchise and also taa, such amend
meuis ct QUE existing registration Law may De
made as vail materially reduce She CO.'S, while
not impairiag the efficiency Of rs execution.
In this competition they favor The passage Of
a thorough primary election law, - drawn as
10 secure Ahsolatc fairness at all primary cleo
lions. aud containing adequate and eieciuai
provisions against violence, fraud aud ali
corrupt practices By which the viii Of The
majority may be fslsihed. ihwartcd or ignored
EiGars 90 cOtoEsn rEOrtE
They declare their sincere AID determined
parposs q, recognize and enforce all the civil
and political rights Of the eoiored people Of
Ihis state. but while thus earnestly resolved
90 s,.e 10 Il that 10 their persons aud property
ihey shall De folly and thoroughly protected,
and chat the present liberal provisions tor the
education 81 their children shall be main.
tanned, they insist that the schools for the
uhits and calnrr5i childrea shall be sept sep
srate and distinct, and taos Will vigorously
resist any sHd al! attempts "a caangc lhe eN'
,s,ing law So As 70 introduce mixed schools
for both white aud colored children.
cHEsArEtkE sNb ONE cANAI-
/ As ia well known, the disastrous fresheis Of
Z Nav aud Iaua last wrecked the Chesapeake
aud Ohio canal. The company rs nov with
out business, reyeaae OF credit, aud, notwIth-
standing The most earnest and persistent efforts
. on the parg OF its president and directors, i
has been unable 10 procure, IN any shape or
st,8n any terms. Sufficient money 10 repair the
canal and pat Is IN condition for navigation,
+ 50 tha, all transportation GA il has absolutely
ceased. Five successive coupons, amounting
"a SIS. 90, on the $500, 90 OF repair bonds,
Issued undar the act oF 1875, chapter 5s, are
nov overdue and unpaid, and by the terms OF
that net sld the mortgage gwen m accordance
with is provision. the holders OF a majority
Of these loads may Al any moment sell the
/ canal AZ public auction, and may also al once
obtain decree OF court appointing q receiver
% take possession. No help can be expected
from the State because by the constitution she
is prohibited from making any advances ia
aid OF works of public improvement. But,
.
vate interests involved can be induced TO come
to the rescue hy providing the money required
20 restore the canal and It's works toreclos'
ure sale Ia the near future seems to be newt
able To avoid this unfortunate result, at
tended as 1t will most probably be by the
permanent abandonment of the canal rs 4
water way, the board of public works are
earnestly urged 10 co operate with these prl-
yate interests In any reasonable proposition
20 repair aud restore IL If necessary they
should not hesitate to appoint president
and directors upon the recommendation OF
. these private interests, any competent and
responsible men who will give u satisfactory
guaranty OF their willingness aud ability to
raise the money necessary to put and keeI
the canal in complete repair for transporta
ton. aud even to lease it for long term Of
wears TO any responsible parties who VIII un
dertake, with satisfactory stipulations, such {
desirable and important work. There should
be no hesitation in doing everything IN then
power TO prevent the total destruction OF tins
water way, in which the State, and especially
the counties Of Garrett Alegany, Washing
ton, Frederick and Montgomery, is so vitaill
interested. aud any business proposition rea
sonably guaranteed looking to the restoration
of the canal aud its rescue from sale unde
foreclosure proceedings should be accepted
in the confident expectation that so far a
legislation may be necessary TO give perma
neut effect to such arrangement It will b.
promptly passed BY the coming Legislature