Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-08-12
THE PLATFORM.

THE PLATFORM.
The following is the latform adopt
ei to-day by the Virginia State demo
cratic convention at Roanoke:
The democratic party of Virginia, in
convention assembled, would remind
the people that the election in Novem
Der next is of vast and far-reaching i'm
portance. 1t involves the choice by
the people at large of their chief execu-
tive officers for term Of four years,
viz: Governor, Lieutenant Governor
aud Attorney General. 1t involves the
choice by the people in the legislative
and senatorial districts OF another
House of Delegates for term of two
years and of twenty one Senators for a
term of four years. The General AS
sembly will then be charged in time
with the duty of electing county judges
OF the state for term of six years and
important administrative affsirs of the
State, and Senator of the United
States, so that the result of the election
will deeply affect the interest of the
people in their domestic aud federal
concerns. The democratic party ap-
peals to the intelligence aud patriotism
of the people and vouches its record
during successive administrations OF
the State government as giving it title
to their continued confidence and sup
port.
Following the wisdom OF the founder
of democracy it has cherished and built
af oh
now the pride and ornament of the
State. 10 1898 the amount appropri-
ated to them was the sum of $4,000
1t is now considerably over 5000, 900
The Female Normal School of Farm
vile, tie Polytechnic Institu of Biz scks-
burg. the Virginia Military Institute,
the University of Virginia, and the
Hampton Institute are all monuments
of the fostering care OF democracy to the
cause of public education. We pledge
to that cause our loyal and generous
support until every child in the COM
monwealth shall be assured an opportu-
pity of education.
With meagre resources the State has
done the best it could for disabled sold
iers and the widows of soldiers who
lost their lives in the war, and we COM
mend them to the most generous and
favorable considerable that it is posi-
le for the Legislature to extend.
The institutions of the State for the
insane and the deaf. dumb and
blind, chow the progress of demo
cratic care and they shall ever be the
object of our most tender and generous
consideration.
The finances of the State have been
handled by the democratic party with
economy and skill. 1t consummated a
settlement of the public debt after the
subject had been long source OF tur-
MOL aud trouble, and without iucreas-
ing the rate of taxation. We applaud
the General Assembly for its enact
ments, whereby public expenses were
substantially reduced, and commend to
them such careful revisions of the laws
as will bring about more Reductions.
The calling of constitutional conven-
ton having been defeated at the polls,
this convention commends to the Gen
eral Assembly consideration and sub
mission to the people of such constitu-
tioual amendments as may conduce to
the u,termost economy of the govern
ment consistent with efficiency.
The democratic party of Virginia has
established department of agriculture
and will always do its uttermost TO pro.
mote agriculture as tbs original, purest
and most bene6cent of avocatlons, but
it we'll knows that the federal system OF
legislation which contracts the currency
and increases taxation must inevitably
result in the depression of agricultural
prosperity aud its dependent industries
of commerce, mining and manufacture.
The conditions that now surround us
cannot be removed by State legislation.
They can only be removed by the rest
grafton of the national democracy 10
power.- The existing republican ad-
| ministration has devised no measure to
relieve, but an increase of tariff taxa
ton. and to cover its Inability to legis'
late has sent a rowing commission to
Europe to ascertain the wishes of its
monarchies, and has applied the uni
yersal gag law to the House of Repre-.
sentatives.
We reaffirm the platform of the ma
tional democratic convention adopted
at Chicago in July, 1896, and upon
which William Jennings Bryan vas
nominated for the presidency of the
United States, and we extend ou: CON
gratulations to our noble champion
upon the able and brilliant manner in
which he discharged the trust reposed
| in him. The fact that he received more
votes than any previous democratic
candidate for the presidency and more
than any candidate of any party saving
his successful opponent, is evidence
that democratic principles are still dear
to the vast mass of American people
and that democracy is still living in
the hope of an early and complete
triumph.
We especially indorse the doctrines
of the national democratic party upon
the four great issues which are before
the people OF this country, viz: 1h'
tariff. the income tax, the regulating OF
of trusts and the currency. Tariff duty
should be levied for revenue purposes,
aud only for SO much revenue as may
be needed for an economic admlnistra'
ton of he government, the great sur
| -, Z, .ba treasurv in its nature, be-