Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-08-09
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Adopted by the State Convention in ses
sion at Topeka July 8. 1894,

The Democratic party of Kansas in convention
assembled declares its abiding faith in the eternal
principles OF Democracy among which are:
Strict construction of public powers to the end
erty menaced by constant assumption of unauthor-
lied powers by public functionaries.
Local self government, the largest personal lib
erty consistent with the protection of rights,
yielding hostility to all forms of centraiZation,
constant distrust OF power rigid economy in public
We endorse the wise and patriotic action of
President Cleveland and the efforts OF all true
all that they have done to carry out the principles
of the last Chicago platform. The administration
assumed control OF the government at time when
Republican extravaganza, profigacy and dishonesty
had left the public treasury exposed to bankruptcy,
fenced by statesmen, the direct results of the waste
full extravaganza and infamous legislation OF the
Republican party. But 1t has met every RESPONSE
bity, braved every peril and risen equal to every
Wo endorse and reafirm the declaration of prin-
eiples announced by the. Democratic national con-
yentiOn the 22d of june 1892 at Chicago, espec-
tally the provisions of tue platform which declare
that 1--WE denounce Republican protection as a
fraul, a robberNo the great majority of the Amer
ican people for the benefit of the few. We declare
it to be fundamental principle OF the Democratic
party that the federal government has constitu-
tional right to impose and collect tariff duties ex-
cept for the purpose of revenue only, and demand
thai the collection of such taxes shall DE limited to
the necessities of the government when honestly
and economically administered and we demand
such speedy legsla ion along the line of tariff re-
duction expressed in the Wilson bill and the
last national Democratic platform as viii lit the
lend new life to business and open new avenues to
labor.
the public taxation favsr the income tax as
opposed to the indirect burdeps Of tariff taxation
and hail with delight the action of Democratic
congress in adopting that feature as part OF ON
system OF taxation,
reney and the free coinage OF both gold and silver
upon equal terms at a fair ratio and without dis
erimination to the end that the growth Of the cur
rency may keep pace with the growth OF business
and that the debtor may not be met with con
stantly reducing values for the products of labor
We favor, however. ratio OF 10 TO /, and that al
currency be kept at a parity, and of equal salue.
We favor a sufficient appropriation bv congress
to thoroughly test the question OF irrigation IL
western Kansas.
We recommend the establishment by govern
ment of a non-partisan national commission OF
immigration, to examine into the cause and effec
of foreign pauper immigration, and to devise som'
efficient means of securing to American gage-earn
ers some of the protcclion that has in years pas
been so layishly bestowed by the Republican part,
upon party henefciaries,
government is religious liberty, We denounce an
party association which attempts to make reiig
ious convictions test or qualification for office
Total separation Of church and state must ever b
maintained.
Recognizing, as we do, the legal rights of capita
and labor, of corporations and individuals, we aP
prove of such legislation national and state-a
will preserve the just rights OF capital and fair com
pensation for labor, both must be IN harmony ans
each must respect the rights of the other and th
law must protect them both.
We affirm the natural and legal right Of all wage
earners to organize themselves peaceably togethe
for the protection of their rights and the advance
ment of their special vocaiions, and condemn a
autocratic, tyrannicaI and vicious the spirit tina
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 tn
interests of the people and his course in the
States senate.
The Democratic party in the future as in tn
past favors liberal pensions to loyal and deservin
exsoldiers in recognition of their loyalty and de
vonon to their country, and the present eommlS
soner OF pensions is entitled to the THANKS OF a
deserving soldiers for his efforts to make deserve
pension a badge Of hepor
we favor the improvement of public roads. an
the passage Oh reasonable laws necessary to accom-
plish such result
We demand the repeal of all laws authorizing th
issue of bonds for any purpose other than publ
buildings and free bridges upon public roads
Owing to the vastly changed condition of ou
people since the adoption OF state constitution
we are in favor of constitutional convention
the end that many evils may be abolished an
many wants provided for. Pending the meeting
constitutional convention and considering the IA
that the shameful delay in the administration
public justice ia the supreme judicial tribunal
the stale by reason Of the tremendous accunuli
ton of business therein is denial OF justice, we
il favor of just legislative action in the way
assistance to the supreme court as Will guarantee
litigants a speedy decision in their cases
The Democracy Of Kansas again demand resu
mission of the prohibitory amendment to the 70