Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-09-09
THE PLATFORM.
The following platform was sub
mitted for ratification to the Demo.
cratic State Convention at Ellensburg

lie lOliOWlIiS Platform WHO suU-
mitted for ratification to the Demo-
cratic State Convention at Ellensburg:
First-The Democrats of the State Of Washing
ton, in Convention assembled, hereby re affirm
our answering allegiance to the Chicago plat
form aud our fidelity to the leadership of that
matchless tribune Of the people, william Jen-
nings Bryan
Second-We denounce the Republican party
and its leaders for their hypocrisy, insincerity
and duplicity in pretending in national conven-
ton OF that party at 81; L9nis In is.o TO favor
ment with the leading commercial nations of
the world Being called to power on that
solemn pledge. the present Secretary OF the
treasury, with the sanction of Presidcn. Nc
kinley, formulated and caused to he sent to
Congress a bill irrevocably committing the
country to the single standard, retiring the
greenbacks aud turning over the control OF the
nations currency to the national banks. We
assert that the money question Is the para
mount issue before the people. The Federal
constitution names silver and gold to- ether As
money metals of the United States. The first
coinage bill passed by Congress under the con :.
stitutlon made the silver dollar the unit of
ratio measured by the silver dollar unit We
are opposed to farming out to banking corpora
tons the governments sovereign power OF
issuing and controlling the money of the peo
pie
The act of 1873 demonetizing silver was sur
reptitious. passed without the approval or
famous act demOnetizing silver has caused the
steady appreciation of gold, corresponding fall
ia the prices Of commodities produced by the
people. IA heavy increase In the burden all debts
public and private, the enrichment OF the money
i, nding class, the paralysis OF industry and the
in.pOverIshmeut of the people
We therefore renew our demand Tor the Tree
and unlimited coinage of both silver aud
gold at the present legal ratio of IL TO l, with
out waiting for the aid or consent or any other
nation. We demand that standard silver dollars
hal ha IN "a
for all debts public and private, and we favor
such legislation as will prevent for the future
the demonstration of any kind of legal tender
money by private contract
1hird-we condemn the Dingley tariff rs the
most oppressive and iniquitous bill that has
ever disSraccd our statute books. II was en-
acted ON the imperious demand oi corporations
and trusts which contributed to the scandalous
Republican campaign fund to the alarming
amount of Slb.OO10IV. 1t taxes the masses for
the beneht OF tho classes: II forbids the ex-
pansion of cur commerce an3 deprivcs the
producers Of the great American staples OF &C
cess TO their natural markets. The Democratic
party IL In favor OF such tariff As. In commune
| ton with an income tax. will produce n revenue
amply sufficient for the needs of the govern
ment, economically administered and we de
nounce all forms OF taxation which has for its
primary object the enrichment Of the protected
| classes to the great injury and Impeachment
Of the producing masses.
Fourth-We demand graduated national in-
come tax TO the end that industry may be less
burdened, and that the aggregated wealth shall
bear Its just proportion of taxation. and, II
necessary, we favor an amendment TO the
Federal constitution authorizing the levy aud
collection of such tax.
Fifth-We demand the immediate construction
and control by the United States government OF
| the Nicaraguan canal as a measure of the high
est importance TO the American people, and
| necessary for the protection and expansion OF
American commerce, and perfection OF our M
| tiOnal defense.
Sixth-The war with Spain upon all principles
| OF humanity. patriotism and Law OF nations. was
just, righteous ana necessary one on our part
| and we heartily indOrse the action Of Congress
in declaring war against spain, and we point
| with pride 10 the acts Of Democratic Congress
| men In forcing an unwilling administration to
declare war. aud afterwards giving to that war
their unreserved support; and we commend
them for opposing the bond feature OF the war
revenue bill, rs an unjust discrimination which
permits the corporations and rich to escape
taxation, while IL saddles the tax upon the poor
| and those least able to bear the burden.
Seventh-We denOunce as unfair and bitterly
partisan the discrimination of the present Sec
| rotary OF W ar ~ carried out by his department.
against the volunteers from this State, In re-
| quiring them TO remain at home while troops In
vast numbers from Eastern States were trans.
continent and forwarded to The seat Of war at
Manila. That the volunteers from the State of
Washington have not participated in the
splendid achievements Of the land and naval
forces Of the nation at Manila is through no
lack OF courage or efficiency on their part but
wholly chArgeable to the craftsmanship and
general imcompetency of the war department
| Kesoired, That the sOuiers and sailors of our
| army and navy who have carried the flag OF
OF their country into foreign lands in defense Vt
human rights, and IN vindIcation Of the Ameri-
| can honor, have covered IL with imperishable
glory. and the nation owes to those who have
| Ialien as well as those who survived grateful
and lasting remembrance.
Eighth-We heartily endorse the course pur.
| sued by our United States Senator, Hon. George
Turner. and We look with exulting pride at the
brilliant records made in Congress by our own
| illustrious Congressman, James Hamilton Lewis
| and ". T.. Jones.
While we do not favor an aggressive policy OF
general territorial expansion, we are opposed to
surrender to spain any Of the territory that
has been acquired by American valOr and ex
pendIture OF blood and treasure of our people.
We do not favor surrendering to Spain the
domination Of the people ofany Spanish colonies
| who co operated with our forces against OuI
| enemy In the late war.
| We are opposed to the assumption of any
portion OF the debts Of Spain incurred In obtain
ing her sovereignty in Cuba, and also to the
imposition OF any portion thereof upon the PEG
| pie OF that island or to recognition thereof.
| Ninth-We favor the fullest investigation OF
all conditions existing In the Philippine islands
affecting the interests and obligations of our
country In the matter Of their future treatment
and disposition, to the end that final action in
relation thereto shall be intelligent and based
upon full knowledge Of all facts that can alice,
the interests of the United States
| 1enth-We favor the amendment OF the
present election laws and the repeal of thu
provision that candidate named can appe al
But once upon the official ballot.
Eleventh-we favor the establ ishment of
State railroad commission directly responsible
| to the people, to the end that passenger anG
freight rates may be reduced to reasonabl,
basis, and We demand the passage of law in
forcing the constitutional provision prohibiting
the receipt and use OF passes by pubic officials
Twelve-As Lieans Of securing to the farme
and producer cheap transportation and read,
market for their products and staples, we iGvo
An open river to the sea. We pledge our Repre-
senatives and Senators in Congress to worl