Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-07-28

NE1s. H. BJo atSsynab county
RoB'T FLEMING, sA'S county
Cavalier County.
Democratic Platform.
We reaffirm our belief in and adherence to the
great principles OF the democratic party as laid
tas III the Chicago
bosses who controlled the legislature Of this
ment to be enacted to our election laws, de-
signed to prevent unity of political action on
the part of other parties opposed to their mis-
rule thereby practically DISTINGUISHING the great
army of producers, taxpayers and industrial
Glasses anf depriying them of the free untram-
meleo'ezeScise of the elective franchise, so dear
to every American citizen and striking blow at
tip very foundation of our system of government
<AND WHEREAS the said amendment prohibits
tss &c and and other par
able he might be to them, and have his name
printed upon the ballot under their respective
party head. 1t therefore becomes necessary to
take such action as will defeat this attempt to
prostitute the elective franchise to base parti-
san uses and deprive the citizen of his right to
vote for the candidate of his choice.
AND WHEREAS, the democratic party holding
and cherishing in common with other good citi-
zens the cardinal principals of good govern
ment and having heretofore successfully made
common cause against the same corrupt ring of
bosses, invite al good citizens to unite with
them, without in any manner surrendering their
respective party allegiance, for the purpose of
wrestling the affairs Of the state from the hands
y OF those now i'll CONTROL and in the interests of
mlnistration.
THEREFORE,, be it resolved by the delegates of
the democratic party in convention assembled;
friends of good government of every party, to
Aoln IN this movement to depose the present
better element of the republican party demo
Gratis, Independents and Others
We rejoice, in the glorious achievements of
participated in by citizens of every state in the
union have added imperishable luster to our
arms, swept away the last vestige of sectional
ism IN our country and revealed US to the world
united people, and we pledge the loyal sup
port OF the democratic party in this state to the
!. ing to successful termination the present war
with Spain. We urge the vigorous prosecution
of the war, SO unselhshly begun in the interests
: Cuba and all other possessions of Spain on this
continent are freed from her blighting influence
and dominion.
The supreme duty of the hour is to relieve the
oppressed and perishing victims of Spanish
cruelty and to secure the complete, triumph of
plished the wisdom and justice of the American
people may be safely trusted to deal with all
questions which may grow out of existing COM
plcatlons, in such a way as to promote the OBJ
jects for which the war was entered upon and
to perpetuate the principles upon which our
government is founded.
We favor such strengthening of the United
States navy and such Improvements of our coast
defenses. as shall assure adequate protection
against foreign aggression.
We charge the republican administration of
this state with neglect and betrayal of their
official duties, and specifying as to such char
During the constant absence of the governor
the lieutenant governor has been absent most of
the time from the state, attending school, it is
Sa1d, While his salary runs stethe same
leaving the responsible offices of governor and
lieutenant governor in charge of the private
That the republican administration of the
state has shown itself incompetent to care for
the troops during their encampment at Fargo !;
furnishing them insufficient and unwholesome
food and clothing, although paying exhorbitant
prices for what it did furnish.
That the state officers have been absent
large portion of the time attending to their pr-
yate business or scheming to be reelected, leav-
ing the important duties they are paid to at
tend to be discharged by their clerks.
That many of the state officers are guilty of
the state, relatives, thereby causing scandal and
Tha, she last republican legislature raised the
sa% plac in TIE hands Of the governor for in
e1ecure sss and the capitol
Co., and that there is no check on this fund
other than the governors approval.
That the state board of equalization consists
OF the governor, state treasurer, attorney gener-
al, auditor and commissioner of agriculture and
labor, all republicans.
ments motion made to assess the railroads
S6,ooO per mile; that it is stated that the rail-
eea az compan1es were satisfied to be assessed at
S0,UCO per mile; that the attorneys for the tax
commissioners Of the roads were present. that
motion was made to assess the roads at 5000
Voting and on voted to- eeeesa
the assessment on the railroads. by adopting
the motion for 5000 per mile, being just one,
half the amount OF the first motion.
That III this act alone the present republican
administration at Bismarck defrauded the
state out OF SlG0 600 per year, if S 600 mile
basis, and $4,000 per year, if on a Sc, 600 per
mile basis.
That the immense school fund of the state is
being deposited in favored banks and borrowed
back at high rate of interest.
Recognizing the principle that the people
SHOULD %!l dry rule we favor direct legislation.
We pledge our candidates, from the governor
down I to the least important office, if elected
shall devote their whole time and services to
their respective offices and official duties and
thus save to the state large sums of money that
nave under the present administration been
paid to clerks.
We demand that the expense of the legislative
session be reduced By the employment of only
SO many clerks and employees as are necessary
to perform the work and thus reform a practice
whereby thousands Of dollars of public money
have been squandred by every republican legis-
lature since statehood.
We demand a more stringent system of invest
ing and guarding the school funds and that they
be kept in interest bearing bonds and securities
as the law directs, instead of lying idle in
favored banks without interest.
We demand that the valuation of railroads
and all other corporate property be raised to a
just and equitable has is, as compared with farm
Lands and other taxable property, and that the
ing passengers and freight shall be reduced to
Just and reasonable basis.
We favor rigid enforcement of all laws on
the statutes and concur with the statement of
General Grant that the best way to secure the
repeal OF bad law is to enforce it:
We condemn the use of political influence in
securing: appointments in our state militia, be.
ieying that merit alone should be considered
and recognized.