The Opelousas courier., 1896-02-22
DRuOCRATIC PLATFORM.

Resolved, That we reaffirm our allegiance 10
the time honored principles of the Democratic
party, believing that they constitute me hest
rule OF action for an enlightened people undai
a Democratic republican form OF government
Resolved. That we point with pride to the
record made by the Democratic party through
tho present administration marked by honest
faithful and business-like management of every
state interest, evidenced by the improved con-
dition of its finances. its bonds above par, its
debt being gradually retired, its publlc lnsti-
tutions enlarged and improved and run upon Il
cash basis its constantly growing and I'M
proved public school system, a complete lcvee
system. its expenses kept below its revenues
and it's obligations promptly paid in cash and
universal confidence established and ilain,
tanned that the management of the affairs of
our parishes, under Democratic rule, furnishes
equal source OF cOngratulatiOn as shown by
the settlement Of a large judgment and floating
debt, the absence of any outstanding claims,
the prompt payment of current expenses as
well as their material reduction the i'm
provement of the public roads, its public
buildings and bridges and annual increasing
appropriations for public schools, all within
and below the regular rate OF parochlal taxa
ton.
0iR the maintenance and perpctuation of
this condition of State and loea! adninistra-
ton is the principal issue in the coming ciec-
ton.
Resolved, That the State Central Committee
he and is hereby directed in calling the next
State Convention to fix the representation OF
the various parishes of the State and wards of
tllC "a 1911 u vi lCdlS 1 tIptl tIlP 'bNI7 VI
the total population as shown by the United
States census of 1890.
Resolved that this Convention heartily III
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, a thorough reform of the ballot, ana Will
insure the control Of affairs to the intelligence"
and virtue Of the State, for which the party
has always stood before the people.
lDusolva1 That fhiS (nnyantjnn heartily in
dorses the liberal policy of the Federal Govern
proves of the appropriations made for the
double purpose OF improving the navigation
of the river and the protection of its alllVlal
valley from floods.
Resolved further, That the work of the Mis-
sissippl river commission in carrying ont 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, bimctallsm and
monemetalism, and whereas this Convention
deals only with State politics, and whereas the
money question belongs to the domain of ma
tional politics only, therefore, be it
Resolved, That this convention refers TINS
question to the Democracy OF the state, When
they select delegates to the national conven-
ton and in nominating their candidates to the
legislature, State Senate and members OF Con
greSs.
Resolved, that we indorse and reaffirm the
Monroe doctrine. as announced in the recent
message OF the President of the United states
addressed to Congress on the Venezuela uleS-
ton, and that we pledge the support of this
State to all proper measures that may be taken
for its enforcement.
In a recent editorial the Salem, Oregon, In
1epeD1ent saws: tTIme and again have VIC