Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1899-08-10
TIE PLATFORM or gEn DEMOCRACY
OF MARYLAND.

&&*AWW&808
Or xAHYLAND.
The representatives Of the Democratic
party Of Maryland, In State Convention
assembled, declare that, after an expert
ence Of four years Of Republican ascen-
dency we should make united effort to
recover political control of the State, so
Is to insure to the people the fullest pro-
lection OF life, liberty and property.
The result of the last municipal election
in Baltimore city demonstrates that this
can be accomplished 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 restor-
alton 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 application of those principles
to Federal and State government is es-
sential to the perpetuation of our free
institutions.
We Insist that In time of war az well
a. peace the freedom Of the press shall
be preserved, and that the RICH. of the
people to criticize freely the policy and
conduct Of the administration shall be
defended at all hazards.
No deadlier blow can be dealt 20
American liberty than the suppression,
by an abuse Of executive power, Of the
free utterance by American freemen of
their sentiments upon matters of public
concern affecting the welfare of the peo-
pie, and we denounce as dangerous and
indefensible all effor.s 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 coll
lection and disbursement of the public
revenues.
We believe in the time-honored doc
trine, 50 earnestly impressed upon us by
the Fathers Of the Republic, of "Peace,
Commerce and Honest Friendship with
all MISUNDERSTANDING alliances with
none.
We view with alarm the multiplication
over the land Of such gigantic. industri-
al and commercial trusts, the outgrowth
of Republican legislation. as stsae CON-
petition, threaten popular government,
increase the cost Of living and curtail
the individual rights OF the people, and
We fsvor vigorous measures by the States
and by Congress TO- repress this great
and growing evil.
We favor nSn-partisan administers.
OF the Police Department of Baltimore,
and Of such thorough and careful re-
vision Of the laws in relation thereto rs
viii emancipate the force from partisan
control or intimidation.
inequalities In assessment end taxation
should be corrected 30 that the public
expense may be borne by the rich and
poor alike. Strict scrutiny should be
made a. to oil proper sources Of public
revenue. so that State and local taxation
may be reduced to the lowest practicable
rate.
Special s:s..sntion should be given 20
the conditioiiand conduct of our public
schools, the taxes levied for their main.
tenance should be carefully collected,
fairly apportioncd and honestly applied,
and we insist upon non-partisan ad-
ministration 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 che
Democracy TO power In Maryland Is now
imperatively demanded by just regard
for the best interests Of the State.
The Republican party depends almost
eatirely for it's success upon the support
Of the large negro population in our
midst, and relies upon them for the cleo
ton of its ticket and the continuance Of
its supremacy. Without their votes ID
would be hopeless minority.
This fact has created the belief by
large numbers of the worst elements Of
this class Of our population that politi-
cal influence win readily be exerted to
secure for them immunity from punish
ment for VIOLATIONS Of Law, has accord