Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-07-17
Government Control Of Railroads

Government Control Of Railroads.
The absorption OF wealth by the few, the
consolidation OF our leading railroad sys-
tens and the formation OF trusts and pools
regarding a stricter control by the federal
government Of those arteries OF commerce.
We demand the enlargement Of the powers
Of .he interstate commerce commission ana
such restrictions and guarantees in the con-
troll of railroads as will protect the people
from robbery AMI oppression.
Economy in Public Expenditures.
We denounce the prohigate waste Of the
money wrung from the people by oppressive
taxation and the lavish appropriations OF
recent Republican Congresses, which have
kept taxes high. while the labor that pays
them is unemployed, products Of the peo-
pies toll are depressed in price till they no
longer repay the cost Of production. we
demand return to that simplicity ana
economy which BELTS a Democratic Gov
ernment and reduction in the number oi
useless offices, tho salaries OF which drain
the substance Of the people.
Federal Interference in Local Affairs
We denounce arbitrary interfence by led
eral authorities in local affairs as violation
OF the constitution OF the United States and
n crime against free institutions, AMI we es-
pecially object to government by inJunctioh
rs new and highly dangerous form OF op-
preston by which federal judges. in con-
tempt Of the laws Of the States and rights ol
citizens. become at once legislators, judges
and executioners, and we approve the biIl
passed at tho last session Of the United
States Senate and now pending In the
House. relative to contomp;s in federal
courts aud providing for tria by jury IN
certain cases Of contempt.
Civil Service.
We are opposed to lie tenure in the public
service We favor appointments based upon
merit. fixed terms OF office and such an ad-
ministration OF the ciyil-seryice laws as will
afford equal opportunities to all citizens oi
ascertained fitness
Pensions.
Recognizing the just claims Of deserving
Union soldiers. we heartily ind0rse the rule
Of the present comp i3sioner that no names
shall be arbitrarily dropped from the pen
sion roll. The fact Of enlistment and ser
vice should be deemed conclusive evidence
against disease or disability before enlist
ment.
Cuba.
We extend our sympathy to the people OF
Cuba in their heroic struggle for liberty and
independence.
No Third Term.
We declare it to be the unwritten law OF
this republic, established by custom and
usage Of one hundred years and sanctioned
by the examples OF ths greatest and wisest
of those who founded ard have maintained
our government, that no man should be ell
giDle for u third term of the presidential
office
Pacific Railroads.
No discrimination should be indulged by
the government Of the United States in favor
Of any OF its debtors. We approve OF the re-
fusal of tho Firty-third Congress to pass the
Pacific Railroad funding bill and denounce
the effort Of the present Republican Con-
gress to enact a similar measure.
Internal Improvements.
The federal government should care for
and improve the Mississippi river and other
great waterways OF the republic, so as to Sc
cure for the interior States easy and cheap
transportation to tidewater. When any
waterway of the republic is Of sufficient i'm
portance to demand aid Of the government
such aid should be extended upon definite
plan of continuous work until permanent
improvement is secured.
Admission Of Territories.
We favor the admission of the Territories Of
New Mexico and Arizona into tho Union a.
States, and we favor tho early admission OF
all the Territories having the necessary pop
uatiOn and resources to entitc them 10
statehood, and while they remain Territories
we hold that tho officials appointed to al
minister the government Of aiy Territory,
together with :he District Of Columbia and
Alaska. should lie bOna-iiLe residents OF the
Territory or district in which their duties ar
to be performed. The democratic party be-
Iieves in home rule, and that all public lands
OF the Unitet States should be approprate /
to the establishment OF free homes for Amer
lean citizens
We recommend that the Territory OF
Alaska be granted n Delegate in Congress
and that the general land and timber laws
of the United States be extended to said Ter
ritory.
Support Invited.
ConRding in the justice OF our cause and
the necessity OF its success at the polls, we
submit the foregoing declaration Of princi-
pies and purposes to the cOnsiIerate judg-
ment Of the American people We invite the
support Of all citizens who approve them and
who desire to have them made effective
through legislation for the relief Of the peo-
Die and the restoration Of the country pros
perity.
LYN0HE0 AN AMERICAN,