Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-08-19
THE PLATFORM.


We, the Republicans of the State OF
Tennessee, in convention assembled, de-
clare as'follows:
l. We unequivocally and unreservedly
indorse and accept the great platform
of principles adopted by the convention
of the National Republican party ut st.
Louis, as wise and patriotic, and to those
principles and to the candidates there
named, the Hon. William Mckinley,
nominee for President, and Garrett A.
Hobart, nominee for Vice President, we
pledge the loyal support of the Republi-
can Of Tennessee.
2. We condemn the Chicago platform
of the Democratic party, and charge
that it advocates principles opposed to
good government and subversive Of
social order. 1t seeks to array class
against class, section against section,
Americans against Americans, and con-
dennis the courts of the United States,
and would plunge the Federal judiciary
into the gulf OF partisan politics 1t ap-
peals to the votes Of Anarchists and all
those opposed to law and order. 1t fa.
vors the free, unlimited and independent
coinage Of silver at the ratio Of l6 to l.
Such a law would give us the single
silver basis. We are opposed to such a
dangerous venture, because it would
rapidly decrease our supply of money ;
1t would disturb business, destroy conf
dence and ruin credits; instead of in
spring enterprise it would cause wide
spread alarm; instead of relieving the
debtor it would involve him in bank
ruptcy it would stain our country with
reputation and dishonor.
The Republican party, in its platform
at st. Louis, assures the people that 1t
favors the present standard Of money
and the use of gold, silver and paper
currency now in circulation must be
maintained at parity, and that every
dollar shall be worth 100 cents.
3. We favor honest and rigid economy
In the conduct of State affairs, and the
repeal Of our unjust and burdensome
assessment and taxation laws. The
present back tax collection system is
UNANIMOUSLY oppressive to the poor. 1t
was designed to enrich u few Office hold
ers, especially backtax collectors, at the
expense of the people, and extend the
ramiiications of the corrupt "machinen
that now wields the power of the De.
mocratic party in this State. The cost
of collection often equals the amount of
taxes collected, and sometimes greatly
exceed it. This system should, as soon
as possible, be extirpated.
4. We favor the immediate enactment
Of laws that will reduce to the smallest
sum possible, consistent with the proper
enforcement Of law, the costs of criminal
prosecutions and civil litigation.
5. We favor the abolition of the fee
system in office wherever possible, and
the substitution in place thereof of sala-
ries commensurate with the services
performed.
g. We denounce the numerous election
laws passed by successive Democratic
legislatures during the last ten years,
the poll tax law, the registration law,
the uniform ballot law, the Dortch law,
as oppressive, unconstitutional, often
sively partisan and as devices to per-
petuate Democratic rule in Tennessee.
The laws regulating elections should be
so framed as TO Secure the freedom OF
elections and the purity OF the ballot
box" and to enable every voter who Is
entitled to vote under the Constitution
to cast u vote and have the same fairly
counted.
We denounce the Democratic poll tax
laws Us conducive to fraud and bribery,
and corruption OF the elective franchise,
II enables corrupt party heelers to com
init great frauds, and 1t is especially OBJ
noxious because II does not admit OF