The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-09-08
A PLATFORM FOR ALL THE PEOPLE.
columbus Press-Post

columbus Press-Post
The platform adopted at GAINESVILLE
is worthy of great party and a amomen-
tous period in American history. 1t is
a platform for all the people, meeting
the demands of the habitual partisan
and independent voter, the conserva-
tive and the radical. Upon it the reform
force of all parties may stand in the ap-
preaching campaign, confident of the
justice of it's declarations and CRATE
full for the opportunity of thus attest
ing their loyalty to principle 1t is not
a platform of eXpedience. 1t was not
framed for a day, but for all time. 1t
is as strong affirmatively as negatively;
for it not only points out and deplores
the evils we now endure and those yet
to be visited upon us if our present
policy continues, but offes remedies for
those evils upon the efficacy of which
the people can rely.
The more important planks are those
recommended to the delegates by The
Press-Post a week prior to the conven-
ton. The Chicago platform is endors-
ed, with emphasis on the financial
plank, naturally followed by a demand
for Mr.. Bryans denomination. Not only
is the criminal folly of McKinleys i'm
perial policy denounced in vigorous and
appropriate language, but the way to
| escape it's further consequences is
made clear. The principle of the ini-
tiative and. referendum is endorsed; and
incidentally it may be observed that
this issue should be brought boldly to
the front in the campaign, and not rele-
gated to a subordinate place as it did
| two years ago. Coupled with this
plank are recommendations Of the
eight-hour labor law, for the more rigid
inspection of mines and workshops, for
the prohibition of "sweatshops" and the
abolition of the contract system of
prison labor.
The antitrust plank is clear and un-
mistakable. Unlike the same plank in
the Republican state platform, it means
something. The commentators refer
ences to Attorney General Monnett, and
the pledge that a Democratic attorney
general will continue his fight against
the trusts, are proper and timely. The
administration scheme looking to an
offensive and defensive alliance with
Great Britain is exposed and condemn
ed; large standing army is once more
declared to be a menace of liberty" as
all American statesmen held it to be un-
til Hannaism took the place of states
manship; the policy that would keep
posterity's nose to the grindstone by
building up an increasing bonded ma
tional Indebtedness in this generation,
is briefly disposed of by a demand that
it be abandoned; the Hanna Payne
ship subsidy bill receives the condem-
nation it deserves, the CoX-Hanna al
lance is denounced as an indication of
the bossism prevailing in the Republi-
can party, and the chief boss receives
his severest rebuke for the corruption
that gave him his present seat in con-
gress, by a demand for the election of
United States senators by the people.
Simple and direct in language, as we'll
as grounded on vital principles of free
government, this platform will receive
the endorsement of every Democrat and
leave no room for difference of opin-
ion among the reformers of all parties
in regard to it. We repeat that it is a
platform worthy of the party, put for
ward in the interest of all the people.