Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-10
THE PLATFORM
AS Amended and Corrected.

the money wrung from the people by OPP
pressive taxation and the lavish appro-
, priation of recent republican congresses,
which have kept taxes high while the
labor that pays them is unemployed and
the products of the peoples toll are de-
pressed in price until they no longer re-
pay the cost of production.
We demand a return to that simplicity
and economy which benefits a demo-
cratic government and a reduction in the
| number of useless offices, the salaries of
which drain the substance of the people.
Federal Interference Denounced.
We denounce arbitrary interference by
federal authorities in local affairs as
violation of the constitution of the United
States and a crime against free institu-
lions, and we especially object to gov
eminent 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
executoners; and we approve the bill
passed at the last session of the United
States senate and now pending in the
house of representatives relative to con-
tempts in federal courts and providing
trials by jury in certain cases of con-
tempt. a ai. .4.-
No discrimination should be INDUCED
by the government of the United States
in favor of its debtors.
We approve of the refusal of the Fifty
IUlFQ CO0SFeSS 10 pass lIle 1dclilc TALL
road funding bill and denounce the eff
forts of the present republican congress
to enact similar measure.
AS to the Soldiers.
Recognizing the just claims of deserv-
ing union soldiers, we heartily indorse
the rule of the present commissioner of
pensions that no names shall be arbi-
trarily dropped from the pension roll,
and the fact of enlistment and service
should be deemed conclusive evidence
against disease and disability before en-
listment.
The Territories.
We favor the admission of the terrific
ries of New Mexico, Arizona and Okla
homa into the union as states,
and we favor the early admis-
sion of all the territories having
the necessary population and resources
to entitle them to statehood. While
they remain territories we hold that the
officials appointed to administer the gov
eminent of any territory, together with
the district of Columbia and Alaska,
should be bona fide residents of the ter
ritory or district in which the duties are
to be performed. ~,.4
The democratic party believes in home
rule and that all public lands of the
United States should be appropriated to
the establishment of free homes for
American citizens.
I'VE 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 to |
said territory.
Sympathy for Cuba.
The Monroe doctrine as originally de- |
clared and interpreted by succeeding |
presidents is permanent part of the |
foreign policy of the United States, and |
must at all times be maintained.
We extend our sympathy to the peo- |
pie of Cuba in their heroic struggle for |
liberty and independence,
We are opposed to life tenure In the |
public service. We favor appointments |
passed upon merit, fixed terms of Office |
and such an administration of the civil |
mites to all citizens of ascertained fit |
ness. |
No Third Term.
We declare 1t to be the unwritten law |
of this republic, established by custom
and usage of 100 years and sanctioned |
wisest of those who founded and have |
maintained our government, that no |
man should be eligible for a third term |
for the presidential office.
The federal government should care
for and improve the Mississippi river |
and other great water ways of the replb- |
lie so as to secure for the interior states |
easy and cheap transportation to tide |
water.
When any waterway of the republic is
of sufficient Importance to deem aid from
the government, such aid should be ex-
tended upon a definite plan of centinu-
Gus work until permanent improvement
is secured. $500
Confiding in the justice of our cause
and the necessity of its success at the
polls, we submit the foregoing declara-
ton of principles and purposes to the
considerate judgment of the American
people. We invite the support of all cit
liens who approve them and who desire |
to have them made effective through leg
islation for the relief of the people and |
the restoration of the country's prosper |
ity. II
Taken at this season Hoods Sarsa-
parilla makes pure blood and renews the
annette.