The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1896-10-10

its due proportionate expenses OF the
government
We hold tina: TIE most efficient way
to protect American labor is to prevent |
the importation of foreign pauper labor
to compete with it in the home market,
and that the value of the home market |
to OR American farmers and artisans |
is greatly reduced by vicious moneta-
ry system which dewesses the price OF
their products below the cost OF produc-
tion and thus deprives them OF the
means OF purchasing the products OF
our home manufactures.
The absorption of wealth by the
few, the consolidation Of our leading
railroad systems and the formation OF
trusts and pools requires a stTicter con-
troll by the Federal government OF
those arteries of commerce. We demand
the enlargement of the powers OF the
interstate commerce commission anu
such restrictions and guarantees in the
control of railroads as will protect the
people from robbery and oppression.
1--WE denounce the profigate waste
of the money wrung from the people
by oppressive taxation and the LAVISH
appropriations OF the recon. Republican
congresses, which have kept taxes hlgn
while the labor that pays them is unem-
ploved and the products OF the peoples
| toll are depressed in price until 1hey
no longer repay the cost OF proouctlon'
! We demand a return to that SIM
n,icitv and economy which best beflts
a Democratic government and reauc-
ton in the number of useless omceS'
tine salaries of which drain tine SUD-
stance of the people.
We denounce arbitrary interference
by Federal authorities in local anairs
as violation of the constitution OF the
limited States and a crime against 1ree
institutions, and we especially op]ec'
TO government by injunction as ne"
and highly dangerous form OF oppres-
sion by which Federal Judges, in con-
temnt of the laws OF the States and the
rights of citizens, become at once leg
islators, Judges and eycSutioners, ana
we approve the bill passed at the last
session of the United States Seslale
and now pending in the House reia,
tive to contemps in Federal courts ana
providing for trials by jury in certain
cases of contempt.
No discrimination should be IN
dulged in by the government OF the
United States in favor OF any OF ITS
debtors. We approve of tAe refusal OF
uhe Fifty-third Congress to pass the
Pacific railroad refunding bill and de'
nounce the effort OF the present RepuD-
lican Congress to enact similar meas
, ure.
We heartily indorse the rule OF the
present Commissioner of Pensions. tnat
no names shall be arbitrarily dropped
from the pension roll, and the TACT OF
enlistment and service should be deem
ed conclusive evidence against disease
or disability before enlistment.
We favor the admission OF the Ter
ritories of New Mexico and Arizona
into the Union as States, and we favor
the early admission Of all the Terri
tories having the necessary population
and resources emitting them to state
hood, and while they remain Terrific:
ries we hold that the officials appointed
to administer the government OF an!
Territory. together with the Distrlc
of Columbiaand Alaska, saou.d be Dons
, fide residents of the Territory or DIS
trict in which their duties are to b'
!, performed. The Democratic party De-
lieves in home rue. and that 81! public
lands OF the United States should b.
, apched to the establishment OF tre'
| homes for American citizens.
We recommend that the Terrltor.
Of Alaska be granted delegate IL
, Congress, and that the general LAM
and timber laws Of the United state
s be extended to said Territory.
5 We extend our sympathy to the PEG
: ME Of Cuba in their heroic struggle 10
s liberty and independence.
1--WE are opposed to life tenure in tn
public service. We favor appointment
based upon merit, fixed term7 OF office
and such ar administration of the civi
q laws as viii, afford equal opportunitia
5 to all citizens of ascertained fitness.
t We declare it to be the unwritte
J. law of this Republic, established b
custom and usages Of 100 years, an
sanctioned by the examples OF tn
= greatest and wiset OF those who forme
and have maintained our government
o that no man should be eligible for
It third term OF the Presidential office.
Il The federal government shout
care for the Improvement OF the Mi;
;, sippi river and other great waterway
II of the Republic, SO as to secure fe
IS the interior States easy and chea
al transportation to tide water Whe
IL any waterway of the Republic is
D. sufficient Importance to demand aid
the government, such aid should be e.
=, tended upon a definite plan @! csl
~ tinuols work until permanent improve
mert is secured.
ID Confding in the justice of OF
ii cause, and the necessity Of its succe'
te at the polls, We submit the fcregcir
=. declaration OF principles and purpo:
w to the considerable judgment Of Il
H. American people. We invite the SUI
~ mort of all good citizens who appro'
ly them. aad we desire to have them MAJ
e. effective through legislation for the r
he lief of the people and the restoration
r. the country's prosperity"
WAITS AND STRAYS.