The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1896-08-22

ton may b. equally and tmpatially
laid. to tho end that wealth may bear
its due propontionate expenses OF tins
government.
We hold THAT the most efficient war
TO protect American labor Is to prevent
the Importation Of foreign pauper labor
to compete with it in the home market,
and that the value OF the home market
to our American faruner and artisans
is greatly reduced by vicious moneta-
ry system which depesses the price OF
tion ard thus depriVes them OF the
means Of purchasing the products OF
cur home manufactures,
The absorption Of wealth by the
few. the consolidation OF our leading
, railroad systems and the formation OF
trusts and pools requires a stricter con-
troll by the Federal government OF
those arteries of commerce. We demand
the enlargement Of the powers OF tho
interstate commerce commission and
such restrictions and guarantees in the
control of railroads as will protect the
people from robbery and oppression.
1--WE denomce the prohigas waste
OF tho money wrung from the people
by oppressive taxation and the lavish
appropriations of the recent Republican
congresses. which have kept taxes high
while the labor that pays them is unem-
ployed and the products or the peoples
toll are depressed in price unit! they
no longer repay the cost CT productloh'
We demand return to that SIM
plicity and economy W'1ich best penis
Democratic government and reduc-
ton in the number OF Useless offices.
the salaries Of which drain the SUD-
stance OF the people.
We denouucs arbitrary interference
m Federal authorities In local affairs
AS a violation OF the constitution on the
United States and crime against free
institutions, and We especially obJecs
TO government by injunction as new
and highly dangerous form OF oppres'
sion by which Federal judges, In con-
tempt, OF the laws OF the States and the
rights az citizens, become at once leg
;slato judged and executioners, ana
we approve the bill passed at the lass
session OF the United States Senate
! and now pending in the House rela.
tive to contempts in Federal courts ana
providing for trials by jury In certain
| cases OF contempt.
No discrimination should be an
dulged in by the government OF tho
United States In favor OF any OF l9
d,btors. We approve of the refusal OF
the Fietythird Congress- to pass the
Pacific railroad ref1lnding bill and de-
nouncc the effort of the present RepuD.
| lican Congress to enact similar meas
| ure.
We heartily indorse the rule OF tbs
| preselt Commissioner CT Pensions, tnas
no names shall be arbitrarily dropped
| from the pension roll, and the fact OF
enlistment and service should be deem
ed conclusive evidence against disease
or disability before enlistment.
| We favor the admission Of the Ter
| ritories Of New Mexico and Arizona
into the Union as States. and we favor
| the early admission OF all the Terri
tories having the necessary population
and resources emitting them to state
! hood, and while they remain Terrific.
ries we hold tina. the officials appointed
to administer the government OF any
Territory. together with the District
OF Columbia and Alaska should be bona
tidc residents OF the Territory or Ds'
trct in which their duties are to hs
performed. The Democratic party be.
lieves in home ru.e, ard that all public
lands Of the United States should be
applied to tho establishment Of free
homes for American citizens.
We recommend that the Territory
OF Alaska be granted a delegate In
Congress, and that the general land
and timber laws OF the United States
be extended to said Territory.
! We extend our sympathy to the peo'
, ple OF Cuba in their heroic struggle for
liberty and Independence.
we are opposed to life tenure In this
public service. We favor appointment
based upon merit, fixed terms OF office
ard such an administration Of the civil
laws as will afford equal opportunities
to all citizens OF ascertained fitness.
We declare it to be the unwritter
Jaw of this Republic, established by
custom and usages OF 100 years, and
sanctioned by the examples OF the
greatest and wiset of those who formed
and have maintained our government
that no man should be eligible for 8
third term of the Presidential office.
The federal government shoult
care for the improvement OF the Mis-
sippi river and ether great waterways
of the Republic, SO as to secure fol
the interior States easy and cheal
! TRANSPORTATION to tide water. Whet
| + any waterway Of the Republic is O
sufficient importance to demand ala o
the government such aid should be eY
tended upon a definite plan OF con
tinuous work Until permanent improve
ment is secured.
Confiding in the justice OF on
, cause, and the necessity OF Its success
at the polls, We submit the foregoin,
. declaration OF principles and purpose
to the considerate judgmen. OF tn
y American peop.e. We invite the sup
y mort OF all good citizens who approx
Y chem and we desire to have them mad
: effective through legislation for the re
Q lief Of tie people and the restoration o
J.. the coun.Iy's prosperity"