The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-08-04
THE PLATFORM OF THE
DEMOCRACY OF MARY
LAND.

The representatives of the Democratic
| party of Maryland, in State Convention
assembled, declare that, after an experience
of four years of Republican ascendency,
| we should make a united effort to recover
| political control of the State so as to in
sure to the people the fullest protection of
| life, liberty and property. The result of
| the last municipal election in Baltimore
| city demonstrates that this can be accom-
| plished by the harmonious cooperation of
all elements of the party, without regard
to past differences, and we invite all such
to aid us in the political redemption of our
State and the restoration of control to the
Democratic party.
We declare our unfaltering allegiance to
the fundamental principles of the party as
formulated by Thomas Jefferson, and we
believe that the practical and constant ap-
rlication of those principles to Federal
and State government is essential to the
perpetuation of our free institutions.
We insist that in time of war as well as
of peace the freedom of the press shall be
preserved, and that the right of the people
to crticise freely the policy and conduct
of the administration shall be defended at
all hazards
No deadlier blow can be dealt to Ameri-
can liberty than the suppression, by an
abuse of executive power, of the free ut
terance by American freemen of their SEN
timents upon matters of public concern
affecting the welfare of the people, and
we. denounce as dangerous and indefensi
Bile all efforts to interfere with and abridge
this sacred right.
We declare our unalterable opposition
to the creation and maintenance of a large
standing army in time of peace, and we
insist upon the supremacy of the civil over
the military authority, and we demand the
strictest economy in the collection and
disbursement of the public revenues.
We believe in the time honorcd doctrine,
so earnestly impressed upon us by the
Fathers of the Republic, of Peace, Com
merce and Honest Friendship with all ma
-entangling alliances with none"
We view with alarm the multiplication
over the land of such gigantic, industrial
and commercial trusts, the outgrowth of
Republican legislation, as stifle competi-
ton threaten popular government, increase
ual rights of the people, and we favor Wig
orous measures by the States and by Con-
gress to repress this great and growing
evil
We favor a non-partisan administration
of the Police Department of Baltimore,
and of such thorough and careful re-
vision of the laws in relation thereto as
will cmancipate the force from partisan
control or intimidation.
inequalities in assessment and taxation
should be corrected so that the public ex-
pense may be borne by the rich and poor
alike. Strict scrutiny should be made as
to all proper sources of public revenue, so
that State and local taxation may be re-
duced to the lowest practicable rate.
Special attention should be given to the
condition and conduct of our public
schools, the taxes levied for their mainte-
nance should be faithfully collected, fairly
apportioned and honestly applied, and we
insist upon a non partisan administration
of the public school system of the State
The laboring classes constitute the main
part of our population. They should be
protected in all orderly efforts to assert
their rights, when endangered from any
source, and all laws on This subject should
be framed with view to improve their
condition.
We believe that the restoration of the
Democracy to power in Maryland is now
imperatively demanded by Il just regard
for the best interests of the State.
The Republican party depends almost
entirely for its success upon the support of
the large negro population in our midst,
and relies upon them for the election of its
ticket and the continuance of its suprem-
acy. Without their votes it would be a
hopeless minority.
This fact has created the belief by large
numbers of the worst elements of this
class of our population that political in
f1uence will readily be eXerted to secure
for them immunity from punishment for
violations of law, has accordingly led to
an alarming increase in many species of
crime, and is Il constant menace to the
peace and good order of the State
Such deplorable and dangerous condi-
ton of affairs cannot be ignored or treated
with Indifference, and while we distinctly
pledge ourselves to do equal and exact
justice to all, without regard to race, AMI
to guarantee to the colored people of the
State the fullest protection in all their
| rights, we are not insensible to the perils
| which such a situation involves, nor I'M
| mindful of the obligation which it imposes.
Safety and protection from those evils
can only be found in the return to politi-
| cal power of the Democracy, which unde-
| niably represents the vast majority of the
| intelligent manhood of the State.
We shall present candidates in every
respect worthy of confidence and support
| In their hands the affairs of the State will
| be administered with vigor, wisdom and
| honesty.
Law and order will be resolu.ely main
tanned and the blessings of good govern
ment everywhere secured.
|