Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-09-23
THE PLATFORM.

The following platform was sub.
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-affiru
our uns wering allegiance to the Chicago plat
form and our fidelity to the leadership of that
mat, HESS tribune of the people, William Jen
Spcond-we denouncc the Republican party
and its leaders for their hypocrisy. insinccrity
and duplicity in pretending in national cOnvcn
tion Of that party at St Louis in $50 TO favor
ment with the leading commercial nations OF
the world. Being called to powe: on That
| solemn pledge, the present Secretary of the
treasury. with the sanction Of President Nc
Kinley, formulated and caused to be sent "a
Congress a bill irrevocably committing the
| country to the single standard, retiring the
nations currency to the national banks. We
assert that the money question is the para
mount issue before the people, The Federal
money metals of the United States. The first
coinage bill passed by Congress under the con :
stitution made the silver dollar the unit of
value and admitted gold to free coinage at II
ratio measured by tine 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 PEG
pie.
The act Of 1873 demonetizing silver was sur.
reptitIous, passed without the approval OF
knowledge Of the American people. This in
famous act demOnetizing silver has caused the
steady appreciation of gold, corresponding fall
In the prices of commodities produced by the
people, heavy increase In the burden all debts,
public and private. the enrichment Of the money
lending class, the paralysis OF industry and the
Impeachment Of the people.
We therefore renew our demand for the free
and unlimited coinage of both silver and
cyn1h NJ fha nYp ant Intrs rf x.-itl
out waiting for the aid or consent or any other
nation. We demand that standard silver dollars
shall be full legal tender. equally with gold,
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.
Third-We condemn the Dingley tariff as the
most oppressive and Ubiquitous bill that has
ever disgraced our statute books. 1t was en-.
acted ON the imperious demand oi corporations
and trusts which contributed to the scandalous
Republican campaign fund to the Alar ming
amount Of Sl6.0OO,0OU. 1t taxes the masses for
the benefit Of the classes; 1t forbids the ex-
producers Of the great American staples Of &C .
cess to their natural markets. The Democratic
party 10 in favor OF such tariff as, In coniunc-
amply sufficient for the needs OF the govern.
ment, economically administered. and we de-
nOunce all forms Of taxation which has for it's
classes to the great injury and Impoverished
Of the producing masses.
Fourth-We demand a graduated national In
come tax to the end that industry may be lees
burdened. and that the aggregated wealth shall
bear its just proportion of taxation. and, IL
necessary, we favor an amendment to the
Federal constitution authorizing the levy and
collection of such tax.
| Fifth--We demand the immediate construction
and control by the United States government OF
the Nicaragusn canal as measure of the high
| esl importance to the American people, and
necessary for the protection and expansion OF
American commerce, and perfection of our ma
tional defense.
sixth-The war with Spain upon all principles
Of humanity. patriotism and law of nations. was
just, righteous and necessary one on our part
aud we heartily indorse the action Of Congress
| In declaring war against Spain, and We point
with pride to the acts of Democratic Congress
men In forcing an unwilling administration to
declare war. and afterwards giving to that war
their unreserved support and we commend
them for opposing the bond feature of the war
! revenue bill, as an uni ust determination which
permits the corporations and rich to escape
taxation, while 1t 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 War as carried out by his department
against the volunteers from this State, In re-
curing them to remain at home while troops In
vast numbers from Eastern States were trans.
ported at an enormous expense across the
| 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 IL through no
lack Of COURAGE or efficiency on their part. but
general imcOmpetency Of the war department
ResoIred, That the sOdiers and sailors of our
army and navy who have carried the flag of
Of their country into foreign lands in defense OF
human rights and in vindication of the Ameri
can honor, have covered it with imperishable
glory. and the nation owes to those who have
| fallen 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
Industrious Congressmsn,J james Hamilton Lewis
and W. e. 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 40 NOT iavor surrendering to Spain the
domination OF the people ofany Spanish colonies
who co-operated with our forces against our
enemy In the late war.
We are opposed to the assumption of any
ing her sovereignty In Cubs, and also to the
Imposition OF any portion thereof upon the PEG
pie ; Of that leland or to recognition thereof.
| Nlnth-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
ana disposition. to the end that final action in
relation thereto shall be intelligent and based
upon full knowledge Of all facts that can affect
| the interests of the United States.
Tenth-We favor the amendment of the
present election laws and the repeal of the
provision that candidate named can appe ar
but once upon the official ballot.
Eleventh-We favor the establ ishment of q
stare railroad commission directly responsible
| 70 the people. to the end that passenger and
| freight rates may be reduced to q reasonable
basis, and we demand the passage of law in
forcing the constitutional provision prohibiting
the receipt and use Of passes by public officials
Iwelve-As means of securing to the farmer
| and producer cheap transportation and ready
an open river to the sea. We pledge our Repre-
| senatives and Senators in Congress to work
earnestly for the passage offs bill for the i'm
mediate opening to navigation and improve
ment Of the Snake aud Columbia rivers.
| Thirteentll-We favor the submission to the
people OF the State ola constitutional amend
ment providing for direct legislation.
| FOurteenth-lt IL with satisfaction and pride
that we direct the attention of the people Of this
State to the fact that every promise and pledge
| them in he campaign Of 1896 has been faithfully
kept by the fusion legislature and State sd-
ministratiOn. and we hereby express our graft
| tude to Hon. John Rogers, the governor Of this
State, and all the State officers for the patriotic,
strong, clean and economical admin istratiOn of
| State affairs.
| We congratulate the taxpayers and voters OF
the State that fusion has put an end to the dis.
| graceful scandals and brazen rObberies of the
public treasures and to the wanton extravaganza
that resulted in plunging this fair young state
and every county into an enormous DEBT under
Republican misrule.
Fusion has restored the credit Of the State.
1t has increased the value OF its securities from
. discount of ~ per cent. under Republican ex-
travagsnce TO Q premium of ~ per cent. to day.
1t has REDUCED the cost Of operating and main
tanning the public Institutions Of the state more