The Opelousas courier., 1896-01-11
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM

Resolved J hat we rraffirIs our allegiance to
the time houored princi.; pies of the Democratic
party, believing thai they constitute the best
rule of action for All enlightened people under
a Democratic republican form Of government
Resolved, That we point with pride to the
record made by the Democratic party through
the present administration marked by honest
faithful and business-like management OF every
State interest, evidenced by the improved con-
dltiOn of its finances, its bonds above par, its
debt being gradually retired, its public insti-
tutions enlarged and improved and run upon a
cash basis; Its constantly growing and i'm
proved public school system, a complete levee
system. its expenses kept below it's revenues
aud Its obligations promptly paid in cash and
universal confidence established and main
tanned that the management of the affairs of
our parishes, under Democratic rule furnishes
equal source of congratulatiOn as shown by
the settlement of large Judgment and floating
debt, the absence OF any outstanding claims,
the prompt payment of current expenses as
we'll as their material reduction; the i'm
provement of tile public roads, Its public
buildings and bridges and annual increasing
appropriations for public schools, all within
and below the regular rate of parochial taxa
ton.
this condition of State and local administra-
ton is \be principal issue in the coming cleo
tion.
be and is hereby directed in calling the next
State Convention to fix the representation Of
the various parishes of the State and wards of
the parish Of Orleans therein upon the basis of
the tetal population as shown by the United
STATED census of 1890
Resolved that this Convention heartily in
dorses the action Of the last legislature on the
question of suffrage, which proposes to give the
people of this State an elective system that
will secure to them freedom and fairness in the
expression of the will of the people at the
polls, O thorough reform of the ballot, and will
Insure the control of affairs to the intelligence
and virtue Of the State, for which the party
has always stood before the people.
Resolved, That this Convention heartily in
d0fses the liberal policy of the Federal Govern
ment In respect to the Mississippi river and ap-
proves of the appropriations made for the
double purpose Of improving the navigation
OF the river and the protection OF its alluvial
valley from floods.
Resolved further, That the work of the Mis-
aissippi river commission in carrying out the
purposes Of Congress is cordially approved and
commended. and we urge upon Congress to
make such further appropriations for the con-
tinued Improvement and control OF the river as
the great interests involved justify and de-
mand.
Whereas, there is an honest difference OF
opinion among Democrats upon the question
Of the free coinage OF silver, bimetallsm and
m0nometalsm, and whereas this Convention
deals only with State politics, and whereas the
money question belongs to the domain OF ma
H0nal politics only, therefore, be it
Resolved, That this convention refers this
question to the Democracy OF the State, when
they select delegates to the national conven-
ti0n and in nominating their candidates to the
legislature, State Senate and members OF Con-
gress.
Resolved, that we indorse and reaff1rm the
Monroe doctrine. as announced in the recent
message of the President of the United States
tion, and that we pledge the support Of this
State to all proper measures that may be taken
Tor Its enforcement.