The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-09
THE PLATFORM.
Continued from Page I.

Importation or Foreign labor 10 COM
pete with II in the home market. and
that the valve OF the home market to
our American farmers and artisans Is
greatly reduced by a vicious monetary
system, which depresses the prices of
their products below the cost OF produce
tion. and thus deprives them OF the
means of purchasing the products of our
home manufactures.
The absorption of wealth by the few,
the consolidation OF our leading railroad
system. and the formation OF trusts and
pools require a stricter control by the
federal govsrnment OF those arteries OF
commerce. We demand the enlargement
OF the powers of the interstate COM
merce commission, and such restric-
tions and guarantees In the control OF
railroads as Will protect the people from
robbery and oppression.
We denounce the prohigatc waste of
the money wrung from the people by
oppressive taxation and the lavish ap-
preparation OF recent Republican con-
crosses, which have kept taxes high,
while the labor that pays them is un-
employed and the products of the peo-
pies toll are depressed In price until
they no longer repay the cost of produc-
tion.
We demand return to that simplicity
and economy which BELTS a Democratic
government, and a reduction In the num-
ber of useless Offices. the salaries of which
drain the substance OF the people.
We denounce arbitrary interference by
federal authorities in local affairs as
violation of the Constitution Of the
United States and crime against free
institutions. and we especially object TO
government by injunction as n new and
highly dangerous form OF oppression by
which federal judges. in contempt or the
laws of the states and rights of citizens,
af tnnRpS
executioners; and we approve the bill
passed at the last session of the United
states senate, and now pending in the
house of representatives,, relative to con-
tempts In federal Courts, and providing
for trial by jury in certain cases OF con-
tempt.
No discrimination should be INDUCED
in by the government Of the United
States In favor OF any OF its debtors.
We approve of the refusal OF the t1fty-
third congress to pass the Pacihc rail-
road funding bill. and denounce the
effort OF the present Republican congress
TO enact a similar measure.
Recognizing the just claims or de-
serving Union soldiers, we heartily en-
dorse the rule OF the present commits
sioner of pensions that no names shall be
arbitrarily dropped from the pension
roll. and that fact of enlistment and
service should be deemed conclusive evil
fore enlistment.
We favor the admission OF the terri
tories of New Mexico and Arizona into
the Union as states, and we FAVOR the
early admission of all the territories
having the necessary population and re-
sources to entitle them TO statehood, and
while they remain territories we hold
that the officials appointed TO admins
ter the government Of any territory, to-
gether with the District of Columbia and
Alaska, should be bona fide residents OF
the territory or district In which their
duties are 10 be performed.
The Democratic party believes In nome
rule. and that all public lands of the
United States should be appropriated
TO the establishment of free homes for
American citizens.
We recommend that the territory OF
Alaska be granted a delegate In con-
gress and that the general land and tim
ber laws OF the United States be ex-
tended TO said territory.
We extend our sympathy TO the peo-
pie of Cuba in their heroic struggle for
liberty and independence.
We are oppose to life tenure In the pub
lie service. We favor appointments
and such an administration of the civil
service laws as Will afford equal op-
portunities to all citizens of ascertained
fitness.
We declare II to be the unwritten law
OF this republic, established by custom
and usage of 100 years. and sanctioned
by the examples of the greatest and
wisest of those who founded and have
maintained our government, that no
man should be eligible for third term
of the presidential office.
The federal government should care
for and improve the Mississippi river
and other great waterways of the re-
public, so as TO secure for the interior
states easy and cheap transportation TO
tide waters. When any waterway of the
republic is OF sufficient Importance TO
demand aid OF the government. such aid
should be extended upon definite plan
of continuous work until permanent i'm
provement Is secured.
Confident in the justice of our cause,
and the necessity of its success at the
polls, we submit the foregoing declara-
ton of principles and purposes to the
considerate judgment OF the American
people. We invite the support OF all
citizens who approve them and who de-
sire to have them made effective. through
legislation, for the relief Of the country's
prosperity.
The free silver plank was the ono that
received the most attention and many OF
the delegates demanded a second reading
of IL, n demand that was complied with,
STATIONS from the white metal men.
Senator Jones then made q strong appeal
for the adoption OF the majority plat
form.
The report of the minority was read by
j. Ii. Wade Of Ohio. The vital part of
this report is the currency plank, which
IL as follows: "Wo declare our belief
that the experiment on the part of the
United States alone OF free silver coinage
ana change of existing standard OF
value, independently OF the action OF
othcr great nations, would not only
imperil our finances, but retard or en-
tirely prevent the establishment OF inter
national bi-mctnllism, TO which the
efforts OF the government should he
steadily directed. II would place this
country at oaco upon silver basis, i'm
pair contracts, disturb business, diminish
the purchasing power OF the wages OF
labor and inflict irreparable evils upon
our nations commerce and industry.
Until international G0~0peration among
leading nations for the FREQ coinage of