The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-06

a government of the peo-
people and for the people
in expenditure, the abolition
/eessary offices, decency in ad-
DHration, constant improvement in
Educational system, charity to the
fortunate and rule by the white men
Df the state.
1--WE favor the extension of the pow
ers Of the railroad commission, and
- closer scrutiny into their affairs in or
Yer to ascertain, establish and main
such rates as shall be fair and
to the people and to the transport
dion and transmission corporations.
1--WE condemn free passes
eve favor the election of United
States senator's and railroad commits
sioners by the people.
I'VE favor the enactment of such leg
islation as will encourage capital to
make investments within our state,
and guarantee hat the same shall be
justly protected
1t was with that declaration of inten-
ton, of belief, of principles that the
democracy conquered in the last cam
paign. drew to itself so much of well
come and needed aid from republicans
and populists, who preferred the rule
of the white race to the dominancy Of
the black race, and who favored a
wise. sound, just, honest, economical
state. county and municipal govern
mentS.
Let the pledge made be met at every
point, and let wisdom, rectitude, con-
servatism, and harmony prevail
throughout.
Do not begin to crowd the two bodies
with a flood of bills, most of which
are worthless and will "die-aborning,'
Do not let the men given to much
speech-making aspire too much and
be too ready to pOu out a cataract
of deep rhetoric and fan-tailed ora
tory. The legislature is to legislate. 1t
should not be a school for defamation.
Make haste slowly, but do the work
we'll and promptly. Let every legisla-
tor keep by him a copy of the party
PLATFORM, and read it every morning
before business is entered upon. If the
legislators forget the promises made il
should become the duty of a vigilant
press to remind them and to criticlse
promptly a disposition to forget or
.eyade. Whether all CT the pledges are
wise or should have been given is not
under discussion. They were made, an6
they should guide discreet n patri-
.otic members as far as they go.
If the legislature should pass all the
laws that have been mooted in the
state democratic press since the cleo
ton in November, it will be kept busy
for sixty days. The Messenger has only
ventured upon three or four sugges
tions thus far. 1t nay give a few
hints as the work proceeds.
1t is to be hoped that all rings anC
cabals may be Indignantly set dowl
upon at the start. If the Legislature
wishes to make itself contemplate be
gin to make states for selfish or othe
disreputable ends. If the people fin'
that the true we'll being of the part.
is endangered at n time by conspir
ators or self-seekers there will be
howl that will reach the capitol. 1
monopoly stalks into the halls of tn
legislature let it be led to the door an
dismissed without formality. Guard tn
real interests of the people is the pri
NAL duty of a legislator.
There is one pledge that should b
met fully. 1t is the declaration agains
the prevailing manner Of removin
cases from state courts to fedora
courts. The party demands 'legisla
ton to prevent it," Wehstec's (Reids
villn) Weekly says Of this pledge:
cit is clearly within the power of tn
legislature to enact such Legislation
The state can prescribe the terms upo
which corporations may do bushes
within it's jurisdiction and can requir
them to submit to the authority of If
courts. A license law is the remedy
The supreme court Of the Unite
States has decided that the states hav
the right to enact such legislation. Tn
democratic party u redeem thi
pledge"
There is danger to the people jus