The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-03
The KEYNOTE.
Of the Platform Adopted by Derscrats
Of the Bay State,
HOME RULE FOR ALL THE CITIES
And Better Regulation OF
Affairs OF Corporations.

Gratis have put their state ticket In the field
and are now ready for the fray.
1t was found necessary TO make change
In the plan for nominating a candidate foi
lieutenant governor. II was agreed Tues.
day night to nominate James w. Hull OF
Pittsfield for the second Office OH the
ticket. Word came from him yesterday
that hc would prefer TO be excused
James S. Grinnell OF Greenfield was asked
TO step into the breech, and, giving his
consent, he was nominated for lieutenant
governor.
IL was the original intention TO nomi.
mats Mr.. Grinnell for treasurer, but, AS he
was placed higher up on the ticket, "a new
man had to be found for this place Eben
3. Stevens Of Dudley was selected. He IL
prominent manufacturer In his town,
and has been member Of the Massachu.
setts senate.
The full text,of the platform, as offered
oy MIR. Coughlin Of Fall River, chairman
OF committee on resolutions, follows:
The Democrats OF Massachusetts,, In conyen
tion assembled, again declare their allegiance
TO the principles or government formulated by
Thomas Jefferson and illustrated by a long
line OF distinguished successors from Madison
TO Cleveland. We commend the present nd
patriotic management OF our foreign affairs
for the economies and reforms effected In the
various branches of the federal service, and
Tor the many improvements in the ci vii serv
ice particularly the recent order concerning
foreign oousuls.
We congratulate the misunderstanding inter
ests OF Massachusetts, on the successful opera
tion OF the present tariff. While we renew oui
regret that the full advantages OF the bill as IL
came from the house were not realized. the
placing OF important raw materials of manu-
faoture on the free list IL already producins
beneficial results. We call attention to the
marked increase In the exports OF our manu-
factured goods as an index Of the enlargement,
OF our foreign commerce.. which under the re-
duced duties will furnish sufficient revenue
Tor the legitimate needs Of the government.
y We demand the maintenance Of the exist.
Ing gold standard Of value and that the gov.
ernment shall keep all Its obligations at all
times redeemabe In gold.
We oppose the free coinage Of silver and any
further purchase Of silver bullion on govern
nent account.
We reaffirm the demands OF our platform oil
last year that the government shall not carry
ON banking business, that the untaxel notes
OF stale or national banks shall be the only
credit currency, and that the government
shall. with the development Of a banki,g
system adequate 20 the demands OF trade, re-
tire as rapidly as possible all its paper money
AZ rboAt AHnlEs we nfnWY DtlleVe that
city IN the state should be allowed 10 govern
itself We denounce the efforts Of the kepub
hcan party TO centralize the police power OF
cities In the governor of the state as a deadly
blow at local self government and libel on
every community affected by such legislation
We arraisn the Republican party for foistine
upon cities, for partisan purposes, q system OF
guardianship at variance with the free ex.
ercise OF the rights Of their inhabitants. This
autocratc method, adopted To thwart the will
OF majorities, 10 another proof that the Re
publican party lacks confidence in the people
Bad roads constitute heavy tax upon any
community. Sound economy REQUIRES the inn
provement Of highwasi for the use of vehicles
Of all kinds and we favor all practicable steps
In this direction.
Corporations 70 which power is granted TO
use the public ways or 10 take private property
by right of eminent domain We hold to be In.
corporated for public purpose, 10 be account
able for Just and reasonable exero SO OF their
powers, and bound 10 make reasonable com.
pensation to the community for the special
privileges enjoyed
Corporation Reforms.
To make the policy OF this commonwealth
respecting these organizations conform mora
closely TO that obtaining In other states and
foreign countries, we demand:
% That all franchises hereafter granted Ia
such corporations shall he for a fixed term of
years, during which the company shall pay "a
the commonwealth fixed sum, percentage of
receipts or profits, or other compensation and
the franchises shall not be revocable so long as
these and other Conditions are complied with |
(g That cities and towas granting licenses |
for the use OF tho public ways shall be given |
power by contract to fix for u specified term !
additional compensation, tsrms and conditions |
for the use Of the highways.
90 That In respect IL corporations now ex- |
ercising such franchise, the legis tature shall |
impose tax on gross receipts, net profits or |
such license fees as In each case shall be Just, |
granting security Of tenure In return
"a That the governor be given full power |
by appointment and removal over all state |
officers and commissioners who are not elected |
by the people, and thus be made respons,ble |
for the manner In which they perform their
duties.
49, That the number Of legislative counsel
and agents who may be employed By such
corporations and the amount OF money that
may be expended by any person or corpor-
alton in securing or opposing iegisl alton may
be limited by law.
(ol That all such counsel aud agents be re-
quest TO make sworn returns Of the amounts
received by them, OF the purposes for which.
and the persons TO whom any moneys have
been paid by them. and of the amount of said
payments.
That In order to cure the present inability
OF the private citizen TO secure redress for a
preach Oh corporate duty, and TO remedy the |
want OF a public ofceiA TO repre- sent the in.
terests OF the public before the various courts
judicial commissions and legislative comSnit.
tees that have jurisdiction in the matter, the
Ice stature shall authorize the governor to an
point n special attorney directly responsible
10 him and through him TO the people; this
special attorney to be required TO investigate
all reasonable complaints against such corpora.
tions for failure to perform their public duties.
and be given full power TO investigate the ac.
counts and papers OF such cor Dorations, and to
make such presentation to the attorney gen.
eral, governor and the legislature, "a the cir.
cumstances may require said special attorney
10 be granted sufficient appropriations by the
legislature 10 cover reasonable expenses for
assistance, experts and other agents necessary
Tor the efficient performance o. his duties.
Religious differences should mud no nlace
N American politics, and the Democratic partv
IS unslterably opposed W the spirit OF intoler.
mt bgotry fostcred for political purposes bx
hose who seek 10 breed discord and animosi
lies among the citizens of the republic. secret
political bodies are curse 70 party, state and |
nation; we denounce the so-called American
nssociation. It's purposes, its
and its allies. We welcome the Al. |
f..ll I.fst ....l... /