The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-08-27
THE FORT WORTH PLATFORM
THE DOCUMENT ADOPTED IMAM
IMOUSI.Y BY STATE DEMO
CRATIC CONVENTION.
POPUuSTS ACCUSED OF FALS|FY|NG
Matters in Their Galveston Platform
Chicago Platform Endorsed in Toto.
Culbcrson's Administration Is
Lauded as Economical, Wise
and Patriotic.

unanimously and without discussion BY
the democratic state convention this
evening:
THE leaders of the populst party
have opened the campaign with Il plat
form containing many incorrect state
mcnts respecting past and present state
administrations Denouncing an alleged
personal government under ring rule
they have committed the management OF
their party to Il committee of three with
plenary pewer to trade and traffic for
offices for their leaders. Asserting that
the administration refused TO buy bonds
except through favorite brokers they
could have found by proper investigation
the incorrectness of such charge Charg--
ing that in the past twenty-three years
expenses have increased from 81 .00O. 600,
to S4,O00O00 annually, the record shows
that the general expenses of the srnte
government for the fiscal year ending
September |, amounted to S2231, 791
and for the year ending September H.
1891 will not exceed S2,200,000 Instead
of S4OO0,0O0 annually us charged. and
that including the bonds issued by Gov
ernor Davis for expenses for general pur-
poses, which were more in 1873 than.
now. Insisting that the school has been
reduced from six months to three months.
the truth is that the term is now clio.
months and the next year will he 51-2
months. Declaring that the rate of tax.
alton approaches 'contscation, il is well.
known that the rate Is moderate and nee
essary to conduct an economical govern
ment is lower than any state in the
Union except three and though free with
promises the convention shows its incoll-
sstency, by its failure to pledge a rcduc-
ton either of taxation or expenses Al
leging multiplication of Offices they
point out none which should be abolish
ed and propose the creation of two addi-
tlonal official bureaus. Protesting spc
cial friendship for silver and loyalty to-
principle above place, they conceal their
choice Tor president and vice president
Upon these Misrepresentation by the
populst leaders, which we do not believe
are concurred i'll or endorsed by the
| friends OF good government in their own
or any other party, we invoke the consid-
crate Judgment of the people and submit
the following as the declaration of princi-
| pies of the democratic party of Texas in
| the present campaign:
First-We endorse the principles of
| the democracy as set forth in the plat
| form OF the national convention which
convened AT Chicago July I, and pledge
to William jennings Bryan and Arthur
Sewall our united and cordial support
| for president and vice president
Sccond-We endorse in toto the plat
form OF our national convention, but we.
| specially commend and approve the deca-.
| ration Tor an income tax, opposition to-
the issue of bonds in time of peace,
against the power of banks to issue mon
ey, for tariff for revenue that will opeYv-
ate without discrimination against
classes or sections, and for the free ana +
unlimited coinage of gold and silver at
the ratio of III to !, with full legal tender
| quality, and without reference to the ac.
ton of other governments.
| Ihlrd-We approve and endorse and
commend the administration of Governor
| Culberson and his associates as being
economical, wise and patriotic. Under
them the government has been admins
tered efficiently and faithfully, the sacs Z
OF officers have been reduced SIS. {Hyg/
annually; the general expenses have been
decreased S332,OO0 per year and freighr
| charges to the people have been lessened'
over. S3,0OO,O0O since the railroad com
mission began operation. 1t has paid
off deficit of S7SS,O0O in the general
revenue, which was caused by the pay-
ment of portion of the public debt: it
has paid for the necessary construction
and repair of public institutions and1
caused q reduction of the rate of taxa
| ton and yet conducted the government
at less annual cost for general pur--
poses than for the years 1871, 1872 and
1913, including bond issues, 1882. 1889
aud each year since 1891. 1t has pad
off deficit in the school fund of SSH
0OO caused by an extraordinary increase
IN the scholastic population and general
financial depression, causing the inability
or the state to continue to sell and lease
its public school lands, and to collect in
tercst upon notes for lands already sold.
yet operated the schools four and six
tenths months the past year and has pro-
vided per capita apportionment for the
next year of 81, which will run the
schools five and one-haf months. Not
withstanding the rate OF taxation has
been increased TO the old rate in order
to meet these deficiencies and carry on
the government, the rate for all purposes.
including schools. is lower than for
any year from 1871 to 1882, only half
cent higher than for the years, 1885.
1886 and 1887, and lower than any state
in the Union except three. The public
| institutions and various departments
have been conducted with energy and
ability, the laws have been faithfully ex-
ecuted and the fair name of the state
protected and preserved.
TOurtn-We pleuSe continuance OF
economy III the conduct of the govern
ment, such further reduction of expenses
as may be found consistent with effcien-
cy and strict enforcement of the laws.
Fifth-We demand reapportionment
of the judicial districts of the state. to
the end that the labor of the judges may
be equalized and unnecessary districts
abolished.
Sixth-We demand that the Legislature
| enact a law requiring express companies
to maintain general offices within the
| limits of the state.
Seventh-We endorse the reforms in
our fee system recommended by Govern
or Culbers0n and demand that the fees
of county and district officers be regula-
ted by tine enactment of a law. similar
| to that which now regulates the com
pensation of county treasurers, with such
notifications as will secure efficient pub
lie service and be just alike TO officer,
| litigant and tax payer.
Eighth--The democratic party is the
friend of labor and the laboring man, and
stands for the ample and sufficient pro
| lection of the artisan, mechanic and Ia
borer of the state. We demand the
massage of liberal laws securing them in