The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-17
THE PLATFORM.
The platform reads.

v
tor the frst time IN generation freedom from
taxation for the general purposes of govern.
ment- 1t gave New York city the means
OF securing rapid transit, boon
which republican legislators had for years de-
MED Hgave the people the shortest legislative
session IN seventeen years, a tribute to the
talthtul industry of the democratic assembly,
oy whom this result was achieved in the inter
est of economy and good legislation Our
pledges to the people contained in the demo-
cratic platforms of 1887, 1888 and 1889 were
promptly redeemed by the democratic assem-
bly IN the passage of the following measure:
=, ~ The bill to elumerate the inhabitants of
the state preparatory to respportionment of
the Senate and assembly districts
. (2) The bill to reepportion the congressional
districts in pursuance of the fe iera statuts and
upon the basis Of the recent federal census
90 The bill to provide for constitutional
convention in accordance with the wish of the
people as declared by large majority at the
polls in 1886
a. The bill to revise and consolidate the excise
laws. measure intelgently and equitably
framed, carefully regulating the sale OF in
toxicating liquors. prescribing just fees for
licenses and preserving oil needed restrictions
for the maintenance Of order and the good of
society.
5. Several billsto ameliorate the condition
agriculture and labor and to lessen the burden
or direct taxation.
FRUSTRATED BY THE REPUBLICANS.
All these measures passed by the democratic
assembly, in obedience to the popular ma jority
representatives Of the minority of the people.
Thus has the Republican party continued to
betrry the peoples interests. IL defes the con-
Stitution and denies fair representation in the
legislature to 600 new inhabitants of the
state by refusing to pass an enumeration bill
aprehminary step TO the abolition of the pres
ent antiquated apportonment OF the Senate
and assembly districts, which IS based on the
census of sixteen years ago.
Is not only conspired wit h the federal census
bureau TO deprive the state of an additional
representative in congress and in the electoral
college by fraudulent count of the inhabitants
IN New York, but it refuses to comply with the
command of its own federal congress to re-
arrange the thlrty-four congressional districts
OF the state SO that each shall contain as nearly
as practicable an equal number of inhabitants.
1t ignores the emphatic declaration of
the people, who, by plurality
OF 32S, 900 votes recorded themselves in favor Of
a constitutional convention. 1t insists upon the
passage of sumptuary laws which needessy in
tertere with the personal liberty of law abiding
citizens. 1t demonstrates the hypocrisy of its
professions by twice recording itself in the leg
islature in favor of prohibition amendment
and then refusing to make provision for its sub
mission to the people except at spe-
cial election not desired by the prohi-
expense of over SSOO,OOO to the taxpayers II
refuses to ameliorate the conditions of the
wage earners by enacting just and conservative
laws in their interest. 1t shows its subser-
vlency to monsyed interests by ignoring the
demands of the agricultural and working
clas .es for reforms in the methods of taxa
ton. 1t covertly lends it's influence to the
restriction Of manhood suffrage. 1t indicates
its hostility to home rule by its effort at med
dlesome legislative Interference with the affairs
Of the large cities 1t encourages expensive
legislative investigating committees, whose in
vestigations degenerate into strikes for polit-
ical patronage upon the Official authority of
democratic municipalities.
LOSS OF THE WORLDS FAIR.
1t inflicted hostile blow upon the best well
fare and prosperity of the state by depriging
New York of the worlds far. because the re-
publican leaders could not control its board of
directors. BY that act New York was deprived
of the benefit of an expenditure of hundreds of
millions Of dollars within her borders. BY that
act the interests of every wage-earner, every
merchant. every farmer, every manufactures,
every householder, every artisan, every Railroad
and transportation company were cruelty sac
rihced. The people will not forget that the
most conspicuous agent in this partisan crime
is now the candidate of his party for governor
Against that record of misrepre-
sentation OF betrayal. the Democratic
party most earnestly protests We reaffirm
the principles and pledges contained in our
state platform of 1882 and the preceding years.
We oppose needless special legislation.
We favor home rule for counties aud munich
palti s. We believe in low taxes and econom-
ical administration.
We demand revision of various confused
statutes regulating the sale of Intoxicating
liquors and the enactment Of just equitable
and comprehensive excise law framed
in accordance with existing public sentiment as
repeatedly manifested We believe that ell
revenues, whether called license fees or taxes,
should belong to ths treasures OF tho localities
under whose authority the licenses are issued,
to be piled in reducing the burden OF local
taxation. We are opposed TO all sumptuary
legislation that neednessly tnterferes with the
personal liberty or the reasonable customs of
the people We favor the largest liberty for the
individual citizen consistent with the public
welfare.
ELECTORAL REFORM.
We demand an extension Of the electoral
FORM with view to preventing protuse ex-
penditure Of money by candidates and political
committees; but we resolutely oppose any
effort TO hamper or restrict the constitutional
privilege OF manhood suffrage, and we con-
gratulate the people OF the state that, by the
persistent efforts Of the democratic governor,
sustained by the democrats in the legislature in
defense of this principle, there has beer at last
wres ted from the republican legislature, by |
force OF public sentiment, genuine electoral |
reform which guarantees an absolutely |
secret ballot, which prevents intimidation and |
which reserves for workingmen the |
right to two hours on election day in which to |
vote without loss of pay for the time consumed |
which largely dimlnshes the opportunities OF
candidates to expend money illegitimately |
which prescribes a careful system Of registra- |
tion of electors, which imposes heavy penalties |
for corrupt practices in elections, AMI which |
preserves inviolable to every citizen, however |
humble or unlettered he may be, the right to
cast his ballot for whomsoever he may choose |
for any Office within the gift Of the people.
We favor revision of the tax laws whereby |
personal and corporate property shall be made |
to bear its full and just burdens. We favor a |
continuance Of the policy which seeks TO i'm |
prove the canal systems Of the state and main
tain its efficiency.
The interests Of labor should be fostered by |
proper and necessary legislation. Honest work |
ing men and working women should be pro- |
tected from competition with convict labor. |
The Republican party having had con- |
troll Of the leg stature almost con- |
tinuously for many years has with- |
held the necessary legislation required to ade- |
ouately accomplish such purposes, and in this |
we denounce the failure of the re- |
puolicans last winter to enact the so-called |
Riley bill desired by the workingmen of the |
state, which had passed the dsmocraac assem- |
bly, and had for its object further restriction of
convict labor competition.
We favor legislative provision for proper |
exhibit from this state at the worlds Coum. |
bian exposition. to be held In Chicago in |
1893, and we especially commend the measure |
to secure that object which was passed By the |
democratic assembly last spring, but which the |
republican Senate with surprising reluctance
after its successful efforts to locate the fair in
Chicago refused to enact.
This country has always been the refuge or
the oppressed from every land-exlles for |
sake, and In the spirit of the founders
of our government We condemn the oppression
aud expatriation practiced by the Russian gov |
ernment upon the Jewish citizens, and we
call upon our national government in the inter |
ests OF justice and humanity by all just and |
proper means TO use its prompt and best efforts |
to bring about a cessation Of these cruel perss-
cutions in the dominions Of the car, and to
secure the oppressed equal rights.
THE SILVER PLANK
Following is the silver plank OF the plat !
form:
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