Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-08-25
Democratic Platform.

Democratic PLATFORM.
We reatfirm our belief in and adherence to the
great principles of the. democratic party as laid
down in the democratic platform at the Chicago
national convention in 1896.
WHEREAS the corrupt ring of republican
bosses who controlled the legislature OF this
state during the last session, caused an amend
n1ent 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-
army of producers. taxpayers and industrial
classes and dcpriving them of the free untram-
meled exercise of the elective franchise, 50 dear
to every American citizen and striking blow at
the very foundation ofour system of government
AND WHEREAS the said amendment prohibits
the democratic and independent and other par
ties in uniting on any candidate. however accept
able he might be to them, and have his name
printed upon the ballots under their respective
party head. 1t therefore becomes necessary to
take such action will defeat this attempt to
prostitute TIE elective franchise to base parti-
san uses and deprive the citizen OF his right to
vote for the candidate of his choice.
AND W HEEEAS. the democratic party holding
and cheriShins, ia 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 all good citizens to INIT with
them, without in any manner Surrcndcring their
respective party allegiance. for the purpose of
wrestling the affairs Of the state from the hands
of those now in control and in the interests of
homo rule, equal taxation aud economy in adj
mini~tra'ioM
1Et-Ht.'tlti-. d Il resolved li!t delegates OF
the democratic parry in convention: assembled:
RESOLVED, That We invite all citizens and
friend: q good government OF every party. to
join il. this movement TO d"poSe the present
corrupt ri!i:;, VINO arr condemned alike by the
betlerrl"!n"nt OF tho republican PARTY. demo
cratS, Independents ami Others.
We rajN;c" ii u glorious achievements of
army and navy, whose magnificent victories.
partlCl ie-ad IL bS citizens OF r;crT stale in the
union. have addict iHlpnri<ha:l!o iGstcr TO our
arms. svep' away HE Last :os1isc Of sectional
in ..llI'
a united people, and We pledge thc' loyal sup
port OF n" Gmocrst tic party il this state to the
national a'!;nlnIStra1ion N waslns and bring
ing TO u .fui termination the present war
with Spain. We urge the vigorous prosecution
of the war, unsciIishy begun in the interest
Of humanity, civilization and progress, until
Cuba and all other possessions of Spain on this
continent are freed from her blishting Influence
and dominion.
The supreme duty of the hour is to relieve the
oppressed ard perishins victims Of Spanish
cruelty and to secure the complete triumph of
our national arms. When this has been accom-
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
plicatlons, in such way as to promote the OBJ
jects for which the war was entered upon and
to perDetuate 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
ges alege as follows:
During the constant absence Of the governor.
the lieutenant governor has been absent most of
the time from. the state. attending school, it is
said, while his salary runs Just the same,
leaving the responsible offices OF governor and
lieutenant governor in charge OF the private
secretary.
That the republican administration of the
state has shown Itself incompetent to care for
the troops during their encampmcnt at Fargo
ING rtf,l,.
food and clothing. although paying exhorbitant
prices for what i, did furnish.
That the state officers have been bsent a
large port ion of the time attending to their pri-
vate business or sclcning 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
nepotisln and have carried on the pay rolls of
the state, relatives, thereby causing scandal and
to the injury of the public service.
That the last republican legislature raised the
sum placed in the hands of the governor for in
cidental expenses in and about the capitol and
executive mansion from 5000 per year to $751;
600, and that there is check this fund
other than the governors approval.
That the state board Of equalization consists
OF the governor. state treasurer, att rncy gcncr-
al, auditor and commissioner of agriculture and
labor, all republicans.
That at its last H"cting to epualiZe assess
mentS & motion va made to assess the railroads
5000 per mile; that it is stated that the rail
road companies wcr" satisfied to be assessed at
5000 per mile; that the attorneys for the tax
commissioners on the roads were present: that q
motion was made 10 assess the Dads at 5000
per mile that the board :oui: q recess before
voting ard on rcconyrgin;; voted to "cqualize'
the assessment Gu tic railroads. By adopting
the motion for s:;.'EU per mile being Just one
half the alnnlnt Of the first motion.
That 10 TN. act aiGnc tie present republican
administration az bismarck Gciraudcd the
state out Of &J',tD per scar, if on s. 500 mile
basis, and $240'I0 per ye"r, il on $3.50 per
mile basis.
That tle Immense scIloo fund CT the state is
being d"po .t"d IL favored banks aud borrowed
back al high rate Of interest
Recognizing; tIp princi pie that tic people
should iu)" we favor direct LEGISLATION.
We pied ge our canf.inttrs, from the governor
down t" the least HnpOr,ant Office, if elected
shall dcyota their W.hoi. time and services to
their respective Office. and official duties and
thus 10 the state large sums of money that
have 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 thu reform a practice
whereby thousands OF dollars of public money
have been Stjuandrcd Ey every republican lcgiS-
laturp since statehood.
We demand more stringent system OF invest
ing and guarding the school funds and that they
be kept il! Interest bearing bonds and securities
as the law directs: iusnad of lying idle in
favored banks without interest.
We demand that I'll" valuation Of railroads
and all other corporate property be raised to a
just and equitable basis as compared with farm
lands and other taxable property, and that the
unjust rates charged by the railroads for carry
ing passengers and freight shall be reduced to
a Just and reasonable basis.
We favor rig id enforcement of all laws on
the statutes and concur with the statement OF
General Grant that the best way to secure tho
repeal of bad law is TO enforce it,
We condemn the use of political influence in
securing appointments in our state militia, be-
lieving that merit alone should be considered
and recognized.