South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1896-07-16
Governmon, Control or R.,lroads.

Government Control or Railroads
The absorption OF wealth by the few. the
consolidation OF our Leading railroad sys-
tens and the formation CT trusts and pools
regarding stricter control by tho federal
government Of those arteries OF commerce.
We demand the enlargement OF the powers
OF n, Interstate commerce commission and
such restrictions and guarantees In the con-
troll OF railroads as will protect the people
from robbery and oppression.
Economy I'm Public Expenditures.
We denounce the profisate waste OF the
money wrung from the people by oppressive
taxation and the lavish appropriations OF
recent Republican Congresses, which have
kept taxes high. while the labor that pays
them Is unemployed, products of the peo-
pies toll are depressed In price TIL they no
longer repay the cost OF production. We
demand return to that simplicity and
economy which belts a Democratic Gov
eminent and reduction In the number OF
useless Offices. the salaries OF which drain
the substance OF the people.
Federal Interference I'm Local Affairs
We denounce arbitrary Inference 10y fed
eral authorities In local affairs as violation
OF the constitution OF the United States and
a crime against free institutions, and we es-
pccialiy object to government by injunction
as a new and highly dangerous form OF OPP
pression by which federal judges. in con-
tempt of the laws OF the States and rights OF
citizens. become at once legislators, judges
and executioners, and we approve the bill
passed at the last session Of the United
States Senate. and now pending in the
House, relative to contempts in federal
courts and providing for tria by jury in
certain cnscs OF contempt.
Civil service.
We are opposed to lie tenure In the public
service. We favor appointments based upon
merit fixed terms OF Office and such an adj
| ministration OF the ciyil-service laws as will
afford equal opportunities to all citizens of
| ascertained fitness
Pensions.
Recognizing tho just claims OF deserving
Union soldiers, we heartily indorse the rule
OF the present missioner that no names
shall be arbitrarily dropped from the pen
sion roll. The fact OF enlistment and ser
vice should be deemed conclusive evidence
against disease or disability before enlist
ment
We extend cur sympathy to the people OF
Cuba In their heroic struggle for liberty and
independence.
No Third Term.
We declare it to be the unwritten law OF
this republic, established by custom and
usage OF one hundred years and sanctioned
by the examples OF tho greatest and wisest
of those who founded ard have maintained
our government. that no man should be oil
igible for third term of the presidential
Office.
Pacific Railroads.
No discrimination should bee INDUCED by
the government or the United States In favor
OF any OF its debtors. We approve OF the re-
fusal OF the Fifty-third Congress to pass the
Pacific Railroad funding bill and denounce
the effort OF the present Republican Con-
grcss to enact similar measure.
Internal improvements.
The federal government should care for
and improve the Mississippi river and other
great waterways of the republic, so as to Sc
Gre for the interior States ensy and cheap
transportation TO tidewater. When any
waterway of the republic is Of sufficient i'm
portance to demand aid OF the government
such aid should be extended upon a definite
plan Of continuous work until permanent
Improvement is secured.
Admission of Territories.
We favor tho admission OF the Territories of
New Mexico and Arizona into tho Union ms
States, and We favor tho early admission OF
all the Territories having the necessary pop
ulation and resources to entitIe them to
statehood and while they remain Territories
We hold that the officials appointed TO AL
minister the government OF any Territory.
together with She District Of Columbia and
Alaska, should 10 bona-hde residents OF the
Territory or district In which their duties arc
to be performed. The democratic party be-
lieves in home rule, and that all public lands
Of the United States should be appropriated
to the establishment of FREQ homes for Amer
lean citizens
We recommend that the Territory Of
Alaska be granted Delegate In Congress
and that the general land and timber laws
OF the United States be extended TO said Tor.
ritory.
support Invited.
Confldlng In the justice OF our cause and
the necessity OF It's success at the polls, we
submit tho foregoing declaration Of princi-
pies and purposes to tho considerable judg-
mont Of tho American people. We invite the
support Of all citizens who approve them and
who desire to have thom made effective
through legislation for the relief Of the poo
pIe and the restoration Of the country's pros
perity.