Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-06-25
THE PLATFORM.

The republicans of the United States,
assembled by their representatives in ma
tional convention. appealing for the popu-
lar and historical justification of their
claims to the matchless achievements of
30 years OF republican rule, earnestly and
confidently address themselves to the
awakened intelligence, experience. and
conscience of their countrymen in the fol-
lowing declaration of facts and principles
For the first time since the civil war the
American people have witnessed the cal
amitous consequences of full and unre-
stricted democratic control of the govern
mcnt. 1t has been a record ofunparalleled
incapacity dishonor and disaster. In adj
ministrative management It has ruthless
ly sacrificed Indispensable revenue. entail
ing an unceasing deficit, eked out ordi-
nary current expenses with borrowed
money, piled up the public debt by two
hundred and sixty million dollars in time
of peace. forced an adverse balance of
trade, kept n perpetual menace hanging
over the redemption fund, pawned Amer
lean credit to alien syndicates, and rc-
versed all the measures and results OF
successful republican rule. In the broad
effect of it's policy it has preciptated pam
ic, blighted industry and trade with pro-
longed depression, closed factories, re-
duced work and wages, halted enterprise
and crippled American production for the
ATntIlCun market. Every consideration
of the public safety and individual inter"
ests demand that the government shall be
rescued from the hands of those who have
shown themselves incapable Of conduct
Ing 1t without disaster at home and dis
honor abroad, and shall be restored to the
party which for 30 years administered 1t
with unequalled success and prosperity.
And In this connection we heartily en-
dorse the wisdom, the patriotism, and the
nj
Harrison,
TARIFF
We renew and emphasize our allegiance
to the policy of protection as the buwark
of American industry and independence,
| and the foundation of American develop
ment and prosperity. This true American
policy takes foreign products and encour-
ages home industry. 1t puts the burden of
revenue on foreign goods II secures the
American market for the American pro-
Queer, it upholds the American working
man. 1t puts the factory by the side of the
farm and makes the American farmer less
dependent on foreign demand and price.
| it diffuses demand and price. 1t diffuses
| general thrift and Pounds the strength of
all on the strength of each. In its reason
able application II Is just. fair and impair
tial, equally opposed 20 foreign control
and domestic monopoly, to sectional dis
!.
| We denounce the present democratic tar
1T as sectional, injurious to the public
/ credit and destructive to business enter
| prise. We demand such an equitable tar
| If on foreign imports, which come into
| competition with American products, as
| will not only furnish adequate revenue for
! the necessary expenses of the government
but will protect American labor from de-
| graduation to the wage level of other lands
We are not pledged to any particular
! schedules. The question of rates Is a
practical question to be governed by the
conditions of the time and of production
! The ruling and uncompromising principle
is the protection and development of Amer.
lean labor and industry. The country de
| mands a right settlement, and then II
wants rest.
| RECIPROCITY.
We believe the repeal of the reciprocity
! arrangements negotiated by the last re-
publican administration was a nationa
calamity, and we demand their renewa
and extension on such terms as will equal
lie our trade with other nations, remove
the restrictions which COW obstructs tn,
sale of American products in the ports o
other countries, secure enlarged markets
for the product of our farms, forests, anC
factories. Protection and reciprocity ar,
twin measures of republican policy and G,
hand in hand. Democratic rule has reck
lessly struck down both, and both must b.
re-established. Protection for what w
produce free admission for the necessarie
of life which we do not produce, reciprocal
agreements of mutual interests which gail
open markets for us in return for our opel
markets to others. Protection builds vi
domestic industry and trade, and secure
our market for ourselves; recprocit,
builds up foreign trade and finds an out
let for our surplus.
SUGAR.
We condemn the present administrator
for not keeping faith with the sugar pro
ducers Of this country The republica
party favors such protection as will lea
! to the production on American soil of al
sugar which the American people use an
for which they pay other countries NOR
than $l0O, 900. 900 annually.
WOOL AND WOOLLENs.
To all our products, to those of the min
and the field. as well as those of the sho
and factory, to hemp, to wool, the produo
! of the great industry Of sheep husbandry
y as well a. the finished woollens Of tn