Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-04

uly 9TH:
ployed, and the products OF the peoples
toll are depressed In price TIL they no
longer repay the cost OF production. We
demand return 20 that simplicity and
economy which BELTS democratic gov
eminent and a reduction In the number oil
useless offices, the salaries OF which drain
the substance Of the people
FEDERAL INTERFERENCE IN LOCAL
AFFAIRS.
We denounce arbitrary interference by
Federal authorities in local AFFAIRS as &
violation Of the Constitution of the United
States and n crime against free institu-
tons, and we especially object TO govern
ment by Injunction as new and highly
dangerous form Of oppression by which
Federal judges. IN contempt of the laws Of
the States and rights Of citizens become
at once legislators. judges, and execution
ers and we approve the bill passed at the
last session of the United States Senate,
and now pending in the House OF Repre-
sentatives, relative TO contempts in Fede-
raj courts and providing for trials by jury
in certain cases Of contempt.
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
No discrimination should be INDUCED by
the Government OF the United States In
favor Of any Of its debtors. We approve
Of the refusal Of the Fifty-third Congress
to pass the Pacific railroad funding bill.
and denounce the efforts OF the present
Republican Congress 20 enact similar
measure.
PENSIONS.
Recognizing the Just claims OF deserving
Union soldiers. we heartily endorse the
rule Of the present Commissioner OF Pen
sions. that no names shall be arbitrarily
II. vgIls ad
fact Of enlistment and service should be
deemed conclusive evidence against dis
ease and disability before enlistment.
ADMISSION OF TERRITORIES.
We favor the admission Of the Terrific
ries of New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Ari-
IONA into the Union as States, and we
favor the early admission Of all the Terri
tories having the necessary population and
resource to entitle them to statehood, ana
while they remain Territories, we hold
that the officials appointed TO administer
TO the government of any Territory, to-
gether with the District Of Columbia and
Alaska should be bona flde residents o.
the Territory or district in which the du-
ties are 10 be performed The Democratic
party believes in home rule, and that al.
public lands Of the United States should
be appropriated 10 the establishment OF
'
We recommend that the Territory of
Alaska be granted a delegate in Congress,
and that the general land and timber laws
Of the United States be extended 10 SAID
Territory.
SYMPATHY FOR CUBA.
The Monroe doctrine as originally de-
clared and as interpreted by succeeding
Presidents. is a permanent part of the
foreign policy OF the United States, and
must at all times be maintained.
We extend our sympathy 10 the people
OF Cuba In their heroic struggle for liberty
and independence.
CIVIL-sERVICE LAWS.
We are opposed to life tenure in the
public service. We favor appointment
based upon meritN fixed terms Of office
and such an administration of the civil
service laws as will afford equal opportu-
mites to all citizens OF ascertained fit
ness-except as otherwise provided by the
Constitution Of the United States.
THIRD-TERM RESOLUTION.
We declare 1t TO be the unwritten law
of this republic, established by custom and
usage OF 100 years, and sanctioned by the
examples Of the greatest and wisest OF
those who founded and have maintained
our government. that no man should be
Office.
IMPROVEMENT OF WATERWAYS
The Federal Government should care for
and improve the Mississippi river and
other great waterways OF the republic, SO
as TO secure for the interior States easy
and cheap transportation to tiGewater
When any waterway Of the republic Is OF
sufficient importance TO demand aid of the
government. such aid should be extended
upon a definite plan of continuous work
until permanent Improvement is secured.
Confding IN the justice on our cause and
the necessity Of Its success at the polls
we submit the foregoing declarations OF
principles and purposes TO the considerate
Judgment OF the American people. We in
wife the support Of all citizens who ap-
prove them. and who desire 10 have them
made effective through legislation, for the
rolief Of the people and the restoration o
the country's prosperity.
CThe foregoing platform is printed from
a copy. furnished us by the Democratic
Congressional Committee.-Editor)