The Opelousas courier., 1896-02-01
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

Resolved, That we reaffirm our allegiance to
the time honored principles Of the Democratic
party, believing that they, constitute the best
a Democratic republican form OF government,
Resolved, That we point with pride to the
record made by the Democratic party through
the present administration marked by honest,
faithful and business-like management OF every
State interest, evidenced by the improved con
dition of its finances, it's bonds above par, It's
debt being gradually retired, its public lnstl.
| buttons enlarged and improved and run upon a
cash basis its constantly growing and I'M
proved public school system, a complete levee
and its obligations promptly, paid in cash and
universal confidence established and main
tanned that the management OF the affairs OF
our parishes, under Democratic rule, furnishes
equal source of congratulation as shown By
the settlement of a large judgment and fioatinS
debt, the absence of any outstanding CLAIMS,
well as their material reduction; the inn
provement of the public roads,. its public
buildings and bridges and annual increasing
appropriations for public schools, al within
and below the regular rate Of par0chlal taxa
That the maintenance and perpetuation of
| this condition of State and local admlnlstra-
ton is the principal issue in the coming eiec-
ton.
Resolved, That the State Central Committee
| be and is hereby directed in calling the next
| State Convention to fix the representation of
| the various parishes of the State and wards OF
the parish Of Orleans therein upon the basis OF
the total pOpuldtlOH DIS SHoNH Wy tho ohitSd
States census of 1890.
Resolved that this Convention heartily III
dorses the action of the last legislature on the
question of suffrage, which proposes to give the
people of this State an elective system that
will secure to them freedom and fairness i'll the
expression of the will of the people at the
polls. a thorough reform of the ballot, and Will
insure the control of affairs to the intelligence
and virtue of the State, for which the party
has always stood before the people.
Resolved, That this Convention heartily in
| dorses the liberal policy of the Federal Govern
ment in respect to the Mississippi river and APP
proves of the appropriations made for the
double purpose of improving the navigation
of the river and the protection of its alluvial
valley from floods.
! Resolved further, That the work of the Mis-
sissippi river commission in carrying ont the
purposes of Congress is cordially approved and
commended. and we urge upon Congress to
| make such further appropriations for the con-
tinued improvement and control OF the river as
the great interests involved justify and de-
mand.
Whereas, there is an honest difference of
opinion among Democrats upon the question
OF the free coinage of silver, bimetalism and
monometalism, and whereas this Convention
deals only with State politics, and whereas the
money question belongs to the domain of Ma
| tional politics only, therefore, be it
Resolved, That this convention refers this
question to the Democracy OF the State, when
they select delegates to the national conven-
ton and in nominating their candidates to the
legislature, State Senate and members OF Con
gress.
Resolved, that we indOrse and reatfirm the
Monroe doctrine. as announced ill the recent
addressed to Congress on the Venezuela ques-
ton, and that we pledge the support OF this
State to all proper measures that may be taken
for it's enforcement.