The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-10-06

i'll timed for that crowd to criticize the
platform promulgated by the Demo
cracy, for their own revolutionary &C
ton, voluntarily precipitated, denieo
the party their own precious wisdom
in constructing it.
l shall now call your attention
briefly to
THE LEADING MEASURES
to which our party is committed
through the action OF the Democratic
convention. AS usual with all Other
preceding platforms by the state De-
mocracy, we gave expression on many
federal questions over which the state
claims no Jurisdiction. The platform
pledged the party to the time hon
ored principles OF Democracy; to the
support of the Democratic national
platform and its nominees. 1t denies
the righ of the federal government to
exercise any powers not expressly con-
ferred upon it by the constitution
1t denounces all federal taxation
except for revenue consistent with the
necessities of the government econom.
ically administered; the collection and
distribution of money for the federal
government in aid of the educational
systems of the several states; the loan
of money by the federal government
to any citizen or corporations; the
ownership by the government of rail-
road, telephone and telegraph lines;
the bounties and subsidies given by
the federal government in aid OF
private enterprises; the force bill as
being corrupt, vicious and criminal;
the system of life tenure of federal Of
fees; the present national banking
system, and all species of class legis-
lation.
1t also declares in favor of the free
and unlimited coinage of silver; for
graduated income tax for federal
purposes; fora repeal of the federal
tax of 10 per cent on state banks.
/ submit to every candid mind that
in giving expression to these views,
sentiments and principles, the De-
mocracy of Texas never violated
single element of Democratic faith.
While it is true that there was no
more necessity for the Democratic
state convention to declare on federal
questio than there is for county con-
ventions to declare on state questions,
yet there is no inconsistency or inn
propriety in either. The affairs of
our government are in bad way,
and the critics of Democracy are
driven to severe extremities when
the party of the people, by the people
and for the people can not anywhere
on any occasion give expression to
the peoples will. So much for that
part of the platform relating to ma
tional issues.
ON STATE QUESTIONS
the platform declared in favor of an
to our state constitution,
permitting the inc, rporation of state
banks, under proper restrictions and
control, for the protection of the de-
positors and the people; for the sup
port and maintenance OF the commits
sion law as it now exists, subject only
to such changes as may be necessary
to accomplish for it greater degree
Of perfection; for law that will eff
Fectually prevent the issuance of
fictitious and watered bonds and
stocks by railway companies
n this slate; for q law
hat will prevent the useless and ex-
issuance of bonds by cities,
owns and counties; for law that |
will define perpetuities and prohibit |
he further operation of land corpora
ions in this state in the ownership of
agricultural, horticultural and graz
ng lands for speculative purposes; for |
he support of the disabled ex-Con-
ederate soldiers; for the maintenance |
If the public free schools Tor six |
months of the year; for the endow-
nent and support of the university |
md its branches; for law to more |
Justly provide for the liens of mechan-
cs, material men and laborers. 1t |
also declares against the present sys-
jem of leasing out convicts to corpora
ions and private persons, and COM
nended the state officials in their eff |
jorts to recover lands illegally held by
from the state, and |
pledge the party to continue the work
Upon the guarantee that no innocent |
settler in good faith should be dis
5urbed.
Now then, I wish to ask any Demo-
GRAFT, any patriotic citizen and foreign
or, any stranger, any living man with |
a heart in him, who respects and loves
a government supposed to have been
for the happiness of free
people, if he can point out single OBJ
lection to the platform on any point
named. OF course do not expect the
men who oppose the regulation of rail-
ways through commission; nor those
who believe our corporations should
be turned loose without restrictions;
nor those who think there is no harm
in watering bonds and stocks
and mortgaging our railways to
pay them; nor those who are in
favor of imposing upon posterity I'M
ust burdens through tax system of
issuing bonds by cities, counties ana
towns for extravaganza purposes; nor
those who believe in perpetuities and
land monoplies in our state. which
have destroyed Ireland; nor those
who are opposed to public education
at public expense; nor those who
would swindle the mechanics and
material men out of their rights and
labor; nor those who think it wrong
for the state to recover from the cor
porations lands which they illegally
obtained and now hold from her; nor
those who believe in mutations of all
sorts, booms and speculative capital
to the detriment of honest money, to
concur with me or to answer the