Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-10-18
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Adopted by the State Convention at Topeka
July 8, 1894.

July 8, 1894.
The Democratic party of Kansas in convention
assembled declares its abiding faith in the eternal
principles of Democracy, among which are:
that the government may not be subverted and lib
erty menaced by constant assumption OF unauthor-
ized powers 7s 6y public I9ne cue 1a
erty consistent with the protection of rights
unyielding hostility to all forms of Capitalization,
constant distrust OF power rigid economy in public
We endorse the wise and patriotic action of Presi
dent Cleveland and the efforts of ali true Democrats
in executive and legislative stations in ali that they
have done to carry out the principles of the last
Chicago platform. The administration assumed
control of the government at time when Rspubli-
extravaganza. prohigacy and dishonesty had
beset with trials perplextes rarely experienced
by statesmen the direct results of the wasteful
Republican party. But it has met every RESPONSE
bity, braved every peril and risen equal to every
emergency.
We endorse and reafirm the declaration of prin-
ciples announced by the Democratic national con-
vention the 22d of june 1892, at Chicago, espec
tally the provisions of the platform which declare
that ''We denounce Republican protection as
Faud, robbery of the great majority of the Amer
lean people for the benefit OF the few. We declare
it to be fundamental principle of the Democratic
party that the federal government has constitu-
tiona right to impose and collect tariff duties ex-
cept for the purpose of revenue only, and demand
that the collection of such taxes shall be limited
the necessities of the government when honestly
and economically administered" and we demand
such speedy legislation along the line of tariff
duction expressed in the Wilson bill and the
last national Democratic platform win lift the
load burdening the industries of the land,
lend new life to business and open new avenues to
labor.
Believing that wealth should bear a fair share of
the public taxation favor the income tax as
opposed the indirect burdens of tariff taxation,
and hail with delight the action of Democratic
congress in adopting that feature as part OF our
system of taxation.
We again declare in favor of bi-metaliic cur
rency and the free coinage of both gold and silver
upon equal terms at fair ratio and without dis
elimination to the end that the growth of the
rency may keep pace with the growth of business,
and that the debtor may not be with con-
stantly reducing values for the products of labor
We favor, however. of 16 to /, ard that all
currency be kept at parity, and of equal value.
We favor sufficient appropriation by congress
to thoroughly test the question OF irrigation in
| western Kansas.
| We recommend the establishment by our govern
ment of non-partisan national commission on
immigration, to examine into the cause and effect
of foreign pauper immigration, and to devise some
efficient means of securing to American wage-earn-
ers some of the protection that has in years past
been so lavishly bestowed by the Republican party
! Recognizing that fundamental principle OF oul
government is religious liberty, denOunce any
party association which attempts to make relig-
1ous convictions test or quallhcatIon tor ofhce.
Total separation of church and state must ever be
maintained
Recognizing, as we do the legal rights of capital
and labor, of cor porations and individuals, we ap
prove of such legislation-nationa1 and state-as
will preserve the just rights OF capital and fair com
pensation for labor; both must be in harmony anO
each must respect the rights OF the other and the
| law must protect them both.
We affirm the natural and legal right of all wage
earners to organize themselves peAceably together
for the protection of their rights and the advance
ment OF their special vOcatiOns and condemn a:
autocratic, tyrannicaI and vicious the spirit thai
would deny that right.
| We congratulate the Democrats Of Kansas upoI
| the election of Hon. John Martin to the senate O.
the United States, commend his fidelity to the
interest of the people and his in the United
! States senate.
i The Democratic party in the future as in tn,
TlPn fO ali nd rVin
eX-soldiers, in recognition of the loyalty and de-
| yotion to their country and the present commits
sioner of pensions is entitled the thanks of al
deserving soldiers for his efforts make deserved
pension badge of honor.
We favor the improvement of public roads, anC
the passage OF reasonable laws necessary to accom-
| plish such results.
issue OF bonds Tor any purpose other than publ
buildings and free bridges upon public roads.
Owing to the vastly changed condition of on
people since the adoption of constitution
we in favor of a constitutional convention, t
many wants provided for. Pending the meeting O
constitutional convention and considering the FAC
that the shameful delay in the administration c
public juStc in the supreme judicial tribunal @
the state by reason OF the tremendous accumula
ton of business therein is denial of justice,
in favor OF just legislative action IN the way
assistance to the supreme court as will guarantee
litigants speedy decision in their cases.
The Democracy CT Kansas again demand 4 result
mission of the ohibitnry amendment to the vot
of the electors of the commonwealth, believing this
experience from year to year since its adoption ha
rated that it was the work of folly and far
atic-m; that it has in the slightest degree le
sened the evils of intemperance and has been til
fruitful parent of fraud bribery, perjury and ofhC
, ial corruption. and in lieu thereof favor sy
tenn of high license and local option and deman
the repeal of the iniquituus laws passed for IL
purpose of carrying into practical effect the purpo
and intent of said amendment.
We oppose woman suffrage tending to destro
the home and the family, the true basis of politics
safety, and express the hope that the helpmeet an
guardian of the family sanctuary may not
: dragged from the modest purity of self-imPose
seclusion to be thrown unwiingIy into the uDfen
2 mime places of p litical strife.
The diSgraceful returning board proceedings
2 the last election, worthy of the palmiest days
carpet-bag corruption, resulting it did in the
lawful larceny of the lower house of the legislator
as also the subsequent disgracetul proceedings
both POpuIist and Republican parties deserve I'll
patriotic ttention and condemnation of the people
e An examination of applicants fC
teachers certificates will be held q
Great Bend. October 9th. 1894.