The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1898-01-20
HE OFFICIALLY DECLARES HIM.
SELF IN THE RACE FOR
CONGRESS.
HIS PLATFORM IN ITS OUTLINES
He FavOrs Economy md Opposes
Trusts-ExpIains His Position on
All Subjects of Any Impor-
lance Before the People.


Williamson county having taken ac-
ton with reference to the primaries to be
held preliminary to the coming election,
L announce my candidacy for the DEM
ocratic nomination for congress from
this district
To the end that you may determine
whether l am a proper person to be hon
orcd with this important trust, | will
specifically define the views held by me
upon certain public questions. If they
accord with the opinions of the ma
jority l would feel highly honored and
much gratitied to receive the nomina-
ton; if they do not l do not desire it.
l will not juggle with principles to OBJ
tain success.
| have faith in the truthfulness and
honesty of the democratic party in its
enunciation of principles and policies in
the last national and state platforms,
and, believing in those principles and
policies, endeavoreu ut all times to up
hold same and earnestly supported its
nominees.
The Tariff am unalterably opposed
to protection per Sc in any form. TAX
ing from one that which is his to give
to another is theft, Notwithstanding it
may be accomplished by the aid of the
government; and when the government
lends II helping hand, in addition to be-
ing an act of spoilation it is in violation
of the organic law of our country.
Tariff duties should be levied for rev.
cnue, and taxation should be limited to
the necessities of the government, eco
nomically administered.
l believe, in levying the tariff tax, that
the maximum revenue duty should be
laid upon the luXuries of life, and that
all duties should be so laid as not to dis
criminate in favor of the manufacturer
against the agriculturists and those
engaged in pastoral pursuits.
Irusts-Trusts, combines and monopO-
lies are brought into existence by reason
of IN Unfortunately high tariff. They
are constantly increasing in numbers, as
well as in power and influence The
campaign of 1896 served the purpose of
drawing them into more compact combi-
nations to perpetuate the advantages
they enjoy, to control legislation and if
necessary to debauch the people to main
tain their supremacy.
L favor their suppression if same can
be accomplished by legislative action,
and to this end will advocate making
It penitentiary offense for any one to
knowingly, make or cause to be made
an interstate shipment of any article that
is manufactured or its sale controlled
or price affected by any trust OF con-
spirGcy in restraiN of trade.
Income TaX-ln ortrer that wealth may
not continue to escape its due Pr portion
constitution should be amended and a
just and equitable income tax law should
be enacted.
.Labor-Labor, the creator of all
wealth. has Il like right to governmental
care. The American working man should
by adequate immigration laws be protect
cd from competition with imported pau
perS.
If the arbitrary exercise of power by
federal Judges in certain contempt pro-
ccedings, which has been APPLY termed
government by Injunction" is to con
true, liberty to the citizen will even
tually become Il legend. Laws should
be enacted curtailing their powers. |
favor board of arbitration to adjust
differences between employers engaged
i'll interstate commerce and their en-
plOycS
Pensions-I favor pensions for deserv-
ing vetrans, but the pension rolls should
be purged of all those who have cor
thereon. Accomplishing this means. in
my judgment, an enormous reduction in
pension appropriations.
Paternalism-.Believ that "indi-
is the life of democracy" |
shall at all times oppose communism.
and socialism, however skill
fully the same may he disguised.
Economy-At this time the people are
heing borne down by burdens greater
than they can bear, and yet there is wick
ed wastefuness and recklessness
in the expenditures of public money. /
shall constantly advocate and urge the
utmost frugality and economy in all gov
expenditures.
The Money Question-Time has vindi-
Gated the position taken by the bimetal-
lie forces during the last campaign
that the financial question is the para
mount issue pending for determination
by the American people.
l favor independent bimctallism the
free and unlimited coinage of gold and
silver at the legal ratio of l to IS with
out waiting for the aid or consent of
any other nation, and prohibiting by law
the decentralization Of any kind of legal
tender money by private contract
L oppose surrendeting to the holder of
government obligations the option re-
served by law to the government of re-
deeming said obligations in either silver
coin or gold coin; the issuance and sale
of Interest," bearing bonds to supply the
treasury with gold 20 maintain a policy
of gold recommendation, and | oppose the
retirement of the greenbacks.
hold that the issuance IF money is |
a function of governma 1t and can not
be delegated to national banks; that all |
paper money made legal lender for pub |
lie and private debts and receivable for
public dues should be issued by the gov
alone and he -edeemable in
coin.
In the early spring l hope to go be- |
fore YOU and give vol the reasons | |
have for the views l hold.
A. S. BURLESON.