The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1896-10-17

cutioners: and we approve the mi passel
at the last session Of the United States
Senate andnow pending in the House 10,
latiye to contemptin Federal Courts and
providing for trials by. jury IN certain
cases of contempt. NO DISQUALIFICATION
should be indulged by the government OF
the United States i'll favor OF any OF It's
debtors.
We approve of the refusal of the Fifty
third Congress to pass the Pacific Kali
road Funding bill. and denounce the effort
CT the present Republican Congress TO en-
act d similar measure.
Recognizing the Just claims of deserv-
ing Uuion soldiers. we hea tily endorse
the rule of the present Commissioner OF
Pensions that no names shall be arhltrl-
rily dropped from the pension roll and the
faet of enlistment and service should be
deemed conclusive evidence against dis
ease or disability before enlistment.
We favor the admission OF the Ierrlt0r-
les of New Mexico and Arizonia into the
Union as States. and we favor the early
admission of all the Territories having
the necessary population and resources
entitling them TO Statehood. aud 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 tide residents of the Ter
ritory or district in which theirduties are
to be performed, The Democratic party
believes in home rule, and that all public
lands of the United States should be APP
pIied to the establishment of free homes
for American citizens.
We recommend that the territory of
Alaska he granted q delegate in Congress.
and that the general land and timber laws
of the United States be extended to said
territory.
We extend our sympathy to the people
of Cuba in their heroic struggle for Hber-
ty and independence.
We are opposed to life tenure in public
service. We favor appointments based
upon merits, fixed terms0 of office and such
an administration ofthe civilservice laws
rs will afford equal opportunities TO all
citizens Of ascertained fitness. We de-
clare it to be the nnwritten law Of this
republic, established ny custom and
usage OF one hundred years and sanction
ed by the examples of the greatest and
wisest of those who formed and have
maintained our government that no MAJ
should be eligible for a third term Of the
presidential Office.
The Federal government should care
for and improve the Mississippi river and
! other great waterways of the republic SO
rs TO secure FOR the interior States easy
and cheap transportation TO tide water.
] When Ii waterway of the republic is of
sufficient Importance to demand aid OF
tue government, SHtH Hit SllOuIu DC GA-
tended upon a definite plan of continuous
work until permanent improvements is
secured.
Colliding in the justice of our cause
! and the necessity of it's success at the
polls, we submit the foregoing declaration
of principle and purposes to the consider
ate judgement OF the American people.
We invite the support of all citizens who
approve them and who desire to have
them effective through legislation for the
relief of the people and the restoration of
the country's prosperity.
The Constitution of the United States
guarantees to every citizen the rights of
civil and religious liberty. The Demo-
cratic party has always been the exponent
of political liberty and religious freedom.
and it renews its obligations and affir as
the devotion to these fundamental princi-
pies of the Constitution.
We are in favor of the arbitration of
differences between employees engaged i'll
! Interstate and their employers
and recommend such legislation as is
necessary to carry out this principle.