Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-09-08
Democratic Platform.

Democratic Platform.
We rcaffirm 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 ri ing of republican
state during the last session. caused an amend
u1ent to be enacted to our election laws, de-
signed to prevent unity of political action on
rule, thereby practically DISTINGUISHING the great
army OF producers taxpayers and industrial
classes and depriving them OF the free untram-
meled exercise of the elective franchise, SO dear
to every American citizen and striking blow at
the very foundation OF our 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 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 chori>hing i'll common with other good cti-
zens the cardinal principals of good govern
lnent and having heretofore successfully made
common cause against the same corrupt ring of
bosses, invite all good citizens to unite with
respective party allegiance, for the purpose of
Wrestling the affairs OF he state from the hands
Of those now in control. and in the interests of
home rule. equal taxation and economy in adj
miniStration.
THEREFORE,. b.. j, resolved by til" delegates of
the democratic PARTY in convention assembled
RESOLVED, That we invit" all citizens and
friends OF good government of every party, to
join in this movement to d"po~c the present
corrup, rini:, who are condemned alike by the
battprnirlrcnt of the republican party. demo.
Gratis, independents and Others.
We rejoice in the glorious achievements OF
our army and navy, whose magnificent victories
partlci patrd III by citizens of every state in the
union, haze added i,nprrshable lus,er to our
arms, swept away the last yc-t.,c Of sectional
ism in our country and revealed u TO the world
a united people. and we pledge the LOYAL sup
port OF the democratic party i'll this state to the
national admin i>tration III wagng and bring
ing toa @lrce,.ful termination the present wal
Of the war. unsrltishly begun in The interests
Of humanity. civilization and progress, until
Cuba and all other possessions OF Spai II on this
continent are freed from her bliSh1inc influence
and dominion.
The supreme duty of the hour is to relieve the
oppressed and perislins victims of Spanisi
our national arms When this has been accom-
Iaished the wisdom and justice of the American
1eople may pc safely trusted t" deal with al
plications, in such Il way as to promote the OBJ
jects for which the war was entered upon anc
to perpe1uate the principles upon which ou1
We favor such strengthening Of the United
States navy and such Improvements of our coas
defen.es. as shall assure adequate protection
again. foreign agrees ion.
We charge the republican administ ration OF
this state with neglect and betrayal of thci
Official duties and specifying "a 10 such char
ges alcyc a follows:
During he constant absence of the governor
the lieutenant governor has been absent most o
the ti!nn from the state attending school it i
said. while his -aIarr runs on Just the same
Ieayn; tx" responsible otjice- OF 20. crnor ant
lieutenant governor ia char.;a 81 the private
secretary.
Tha' He republican administration Of til,
state i'a@ shown i,5oIF incompetent to care. 70
the tr%2ps during. their ":lcampm"..t II Fargo
food aud cIn,h@v, although layint; cx,orbitan
prices or vilat il dit furnish
That the stat, oilers hay" been absent
larg, port ION % The tma ATTENDING, 10 heir pri
vutc bu~in~s. or schening to b., rc-elcc,cd Icay
ing tie important duties they arr. paid to at
tend 10 be Discharged By their clerks.
That many of the state officers are guilty 0
ncpotism and have carried on the pay rolls o
the state, relatives, thereby causing scandal ant
to the injury Of the public service
That the last republican legislature ra iscd TIN
sum placed in the hands Of the governor for in
cidental expenses III and about the capitol an,
executive mansi ion from 5000 per year to sl8
600, and that there i no check this funt
other than the governors approval.
That the state board of equalization consist
Of the governor, state treasurer, attorney gcncr
al, auditor and commissioner of agriculture an
labor, all republicans.
That at its last meeting to cqualze assess
ments a motion wa made to asses. the railroad
5000 per mile; that it is stated that the raj
road companies We're satisfied to be assessed /.
5000 per mile: that the attorneys for the Ia
commissioners of the roads were present that
motion was made to assess the roads at s. Co
per mile: that the board took recess. bcfor
voting and on rcconvcying voted TO "cuuaIizc
the assessment on The railroads, by adoptin
the motion for S5,GD per mile, being just on,
half the amount Of the tirs, notion
That in This act alone the present Republican
administration ii Bismarck t,rfrnuded til
state out Of SiGHTO per year. if on a 81 900 a mi
basis, an" *2iDtnD per year if on I. $500 DE
mile basis.
That til" immense school fund of the state
being dapo t"d ia faforcd banks and borrowc
back at nigh rat; Of interest.
RecoanizIn:; The principle that the peopl
Should rule we favor direct iceislatio
We pledge our c;.ndidstcs. from the ;,ovcrIu
down 70 tn" least important Office. if rIcctc.
shall dcrn," their whole inc and services t
their respective Offices and official duties an
thus 10 the state large sums Of money fla
have under the present ;,dInnist ration bee
paid to clerks.
We demand that the 81 pclsc of the lcgislaty
session be reduced by the employment of Oul
SO many clcr ks and employees az are neccssar
to perform the work and thus reform a prac1 ic
whereby thousands Of dollars of public mona
have been suuand red by every republican Icyi
lature since statehood.
We demand 4 more stringent system of iuvcs
ing and guarding the school funds and that tI,,
DO kept in interest bearing bonds and scclritil
ns the law directs, instead of lying idle
favored banks without interest.
We demand that the valuation of railroad
and all other corporate property be raised to
just and equ table basis, as com pared with far
lands and other taxable property, and that II
ing passengcrs and freight shall be reduced
just and reasonable basis.
We favor Il rigid enforcement of all laws G
tho statutes and concur with tho statement
repeal of u bad law is to enforce it,.
We condemn tho use Of political influence
securing appointments in our state militia b
lieying that merit alone should DO considers