The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-09-17
PLANKs IN THE PLATFORM.
Declaration OF Principles as Enun.
ciated by the September COnven.
tion of the Democratic Party.

Mr.. John Gary Evans presented the follow
ing platform OF principles, several OF the Sec.'
tIons being Identical with those In the plat,
form adopted by the March convention. and
which was adopted.
/. The Democratic party of South Carolina
in convention assembled, hereby reafhrms
the platform and principles OF the national
and state Democratic party, particularly IA
vorIng the free and unlimited coinage of Sill
yer, and the increase OF currency and the re-
peal of the internal revenue system.
We denounce the Mckinley tariff bill as un-
Just to producers Of raw material and the con-
sumers OF the country, and especially do we
condemn the unnecessary and burdensome
increase in the tax on cotton ties and tin COIN
modities, so largely used by the poorer por-
ton of our people. The passage Of this bill
by congress will encourage trusts, combines
and monopolies, evils which have SO long op-
pressed the people.
We denounce the Lodge force bill as iniqul-
tous. emanating from minds whose nefarious
purpose Is to establish the supremacy Of igno-
rance over intelligence in the Southern
states, thereby engendering race antagonism
and sectional animosity.
We condemn the action OF Speaker Reed
and his followers as tyrannical, and fragrant
degradation OF position intended only for o
true patriot and statesman.
2. We demand the enactment OF laws that
will remove the burdens of the people, relieve
the existing agricultural depression, and do
full and ample Justice TO the farmers and la.
borers of our country.
8. We demand the abolition of national
banks, and that legal tender treasury notes
be issued In lieu OF national bank notes, In
sufficient volume 10 do the business OF the
country on cash system, and that all money
Issued by the government shall be legal ten
der in payment of all debts, both public and
private.
4. We demand that congress pass such laws
as shall efectually prevent the dealing in fu
lures OF all agricultural productions. prescrib-
trials as shall secure prompt conviction.
5. We demand that congress shall provide
for the taxation OF incomes of individuals
and the surplus Of corporations, thereby
equalizlng the burdens upon the poorer
classes.
6. We demand that our state legislature,
shall abolish the board Of agriculture, that
the privilege tax on fertilizers and everything
ricultural sections. be placed in charge of the
trustees Of the Clemson Agricultural college,
and upon said trustees shall devolve all du-
ties now performed by the present board Of
agriculture, except the control OF the state
I. We demand that the South Carolina COL
lege at Columbia shall be literally supported
the South Carolina University.
8. We demand that the school districts in
the various counties OF the state shall be, as
nearly as practicable, square, and OF an area
sufficient TO allow one white and one colored
trict, and that the school trustees be elected
by the people.
Q. We demand rigid economy in public e1-
penditures, the abolition OF useless offices, re-
duction Of salaries and fees OF all officers,
state and county, to conform TO the increased
purchasing power Of money, and the decreas.
ed ability Of the people to pay taxes; that
public officers be paiG in proportion to their
labor and rcsponsi bility.
TO- We demand that the railroad commits
sion shall be given all power needed to pro-
tect the rights and interests OF the people,
without injuring the railroads, and that the
commissioners be elected by the people.
OF the states phosphate beds and their classi.
tication into three grades, and that q commits
sion composed OF the governor, comptroller
general and attorney general shall control
and direct the mining under rigid rules, each
river or phosphate district being leased at
public auction for q term Of three years after
the com mmission has fixed minimum royalty
IL. We demand that constitutional con-
vention be called 10 give us an organic law
framed by our own people We believe the
present law a standing menace TO our civili-
zation. and to our educational institutions,
and that we cannot obtain any great relief
from our burdensome taxes till this Is done,
and we have lost faith In power to amend the
requirements.
Is We rely upon the sense of justice and
enlightened selfinterest Of our fellow citizens
to en- force these demands, and we call upon
and invite every citizen who has the interest
OF his state at heart to assist US In enforcing
these needed reforms.
We condemn any attempt, either by word
or deed, or unholy alliance with the enemy,
TO dlsrufe the Dem ocratic party OF this state.
White supremacy is the bulwark OF our civil
ization. and can only be secured by Demo-
cratic unity.