The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-07-22

the bill passed a. the last session Of the
United States Senate and now pending In
the House OF Representatives relativeto con-
tempts In Federal courts and providing for
trials by jury in certain cases of contempt.
Against Pacific Funding Bill.
No discrimination should be INDUCED by
the Government Of the United States in favor
of any OF It's debtors. We approve Of the re-
fusaI of the Fitty-third Congress to pass the
Pacific Railroad Funding bill, and denounce
the efforts of the present Republican Congress
to enact similar measure.
For.Liberal Pensions.
Recognizing the just claims of deserving
Union soldiers, we heartily indorse the rule
of the present Commissioner OF Pensions that
no names shall be arbitrarily dropped from
the pension roll, and the fact Of enlistment
and service should be deemed conclusive evil
dence against disease or disability before
enlistment.
Territories Should Be Admitted.
| We favor the admission of the Territories
Of New Mexico, Arizona and Oklahoma into
the Union as States, and we favor the early
admission of all the Territories having tae
| necessary population and resources to ent1tle
them to Statehood, and while they remain
Territories we hold that the officials appoint
ed to administer the government OF any
Territory, together with the District OF Co
lumbia and Alaska, should be bona flde res
idents of the Territory or district In which
the duties are to be performed. The Demo-
cratic 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. We recon-
mend 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.
The Monroe Doctrine.
The Monroe doctrine as originally de-
clared, and az interpreted by succeeding
Presidents, Is Q permanent part OF the for
eign policy Of the United States, and must at
all times be maintained.
Sympathy for Cuba.
We extend our sympathy to the people of
Cuba In their heroic struggle for liberty and
Independence.
Against Life Tenure In Office.
We are opposed to life tenure In the public
service. We favor appointments based upon
merit, fixed terms Of office and such IN ad-
ministration Of the Civil Service laws as will
afford equal opportunities to all citizens Of
ascertained fitness.
Against Third Term.
We declare 1t to be the unwritten law OF
this Republic, established by custom and
usage OF one hundred years.. and sanctioned
by the examples Of the greatest and wlsest
OF those who founded aud have maintained
our Government, that no man should be
eligible for a third term Of the Presidential
office.
For River improvement.
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 tide water. When any
waterway of the Republic Is Of sufficient I'm
portauce to demand aid of the Government
such aid should be extended upon definite
plan of continuous work until permanent I'M
provenent Is secured.
Appeal to the People.
Confdlng In the justice OF our cause and
the necessity OF its success at the polls, we
submit the foregoing declarations OF princl-
pies and purposes to the considerate 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 people and the restoration OF the
country's prosperity.