The record-union., 1894-08-24
al legislation necessary to effectuate these

'ooCtuern racine railroad SyStoil, Sdlu
gross earnings aggregating SIS ,0OO,0 600 an
nually, therefore be it
ResotUed, That the charges for the
OF freignts in California by
the Southern Pacific Company of Ken
lucky and its leased lines in California
should be subjected to an average reduc-
tion of not less than 25 per cent, and we
pledge our nominees for Railroad Com
missioners to make this reduction so
justly demanded by the people.
We also pledge our candidates for the
Railroad Commission to reduce the num-
Der OF freight classifications one-half, and
that during their term of office they shall
pursue their official labors unhampered
by the demands of any other business or
avocation; and we further pledge them
to initiate needed reforms in the freight
schedules and classifcations without a
formal complaint being filed.
WHEREAS, The last Legislature di-
rected the State Board of Equalization to
reassess the Southern Pacific and Central
Pacific Railroads and their branches for
certain years, during which they were
delinquent in payment of taxes; and,
whereas. said Board of Equalization's re-
assessment releases said railroad from
about y, 200, 900 Of taxes justly due; and.
whereas, immediately thereafter, said
board cited twenty-three counties.
through their official representatives, to
appear and show cause why their assess
ment rolls should not be increased; there
fore we do most earnestly condemn the
action of the four Republican members
of said board, who by the.r votes carried
this lniquitous measure. and applaud and
approve the vote Of X. Ill. Beamer, the
only Democratic member of said board,
cast against said reduction and in favor of
right, justice and duty TO the people.
We recommend that the Constitution
be so amended that the State Board of
Railroad Commissioners and members of
the State Board of Equalization shall be
elected by the State at large, and not by
districts.
We are in favor of wholesome laws for
the preservation of food fishes along the
coast of the State and in its harbors and
rivers, and the imposition of severe PEN
alties against destructive and wasteful
methods of fishing and the pursuit of the
business at unsuitable periods of time.
The Democratic party is, as il has ever
been, opposed to all sumptuary laws as
contrary to the principles of free govern
ment, and favors the largest individual
liberty of the citizen consistent with
good government.
We regret the action of the Republican
Governor in refusing his assent to a just
and proper bill passSd by the Legislature
for the better protection of the dairying
interests of California from unfair and
ruinous competition with the compound
known as "oleomargarine," and favor
the enactment of measure for the pre-
vention of the sale of oleomargarine,
similar to the Act vetoed by Governor
Markham.
We favor legislation authorizing the
manufacture Of ice at the branch prison
at Folsom, for sale to fruit shippers and
other consumers at about the cost of pro-
duction.
Whereas, during the past four years
curtailment of expenses have been en-
forced upon all, and the people demand
like economy in the administration Of
State affairs, we hereby denounce the
present Republican State administration,
which during the past four fiscal years
has expended from the general fund
alone 50, 300, 000 in excess of the amount
expended during the four fiscal years by
the last Democratic State administration,
and we hereby pledge our nominees that
the State taxes will not exceed 45 cents
on each 500 of assessed valuation OF
property according to the assessed valua-
ton of 1898.
We insist that the fostering care and
support of the State shall ever be liber-
ally extended to the perpetuation of our
we urge the most rigid economy in all
public affairs, we do not sanction any
parsimoniouS curtailment in the neces-
sary expenses OF the educational depart
ment of the State Government. We favor
the continuation of liberal appropriation
of money for the support of the needy
orphans OF the State.
We favor the passage of law by the
next Legislature regulating political pri-
maries, compelling all parties that hold
primaries to hold them at the same time
and place, under the control of election
officers appointed in the same manner as
at a general election, aud we recommend
to the various Senatorial and Assembly
District Conventions that they pledge
their nominees to vote for the enactment
of such a law.
we declare our continued adherence to
the great principles of religious liberty as
enunciated in Article VI. OF the Constitu-
ton OF the United States, in the language
following:
mo religious test shall ever be re-
quired as a qualification to any public
Office or public trust under the United
States" And we hold that the same prin-
ciple shall be applied to all State, county
aud municipal offices.
ReS0tUed. That we indorse the course of
Hon. Stephen NJ. White in the United
services to the State and
nation.
The reading of each section was re-
ceived with expressions of enthusiasm,
and when the Endorsement of Cleveland'S
Administration was read the convention
broke loose. Delegates jumped up on
their Seats waved hats, sticks and hand
kerchiefs, and cheered wildly for fully
minute. Some comment was made at the
lack of enthusiasm with which the section
in reference to the funding bill was re-
ceived. During the early stages of the
convention every anti-railroad allusion
was cheered to the echo, but the express
sions of the convention against the
Southern Pacific seemed to have been
modified to-day.
j. Marion Brooks of Los Angeles offered
an amendment to the platform recon-
mending the passage of law allowing
the right OF appeal from the Federal
Courts to the United States Supreme
Court in contempt proceedings of crimi-
nal cases. Brooks defended the Coxeyites,
and spoke at length concerning case in
which he was attorney for the defendants.
The convention had little patience with
the speaker and guyed him numerically,
but he carried the galleries with him, and
eventually insisted on roll-call on his
amendment. He spoke twice, and said
of himself that 'men may come and men
may 90, but Brooks goes on forever"
Finally delegate from his own county
suggested that it was time to dam that
BROOKE
The roll-cail buried Brooks amend.
ment under vote of 617 to no.
The convention was annoyed at the de-
lay occasioned by the roll-call, and pro-
yided that hereafter fifty delegates would
be necessary to make demand for roll
call good.
Undaunted by his defeat, Brooks then
introduced another resolution, with the
preface that the defeat of the Coxey plank
meant the humiliation Of the Democratic
party in California. His second amend
ment recommended the free coinage of
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