Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-07-13
TX, BRATTLEBORO FRIDAY, JULY ID, 1900.
The Kansas CITY Platform.


The Democratic platform adopted at
Kansas City begins by re-affirming the
faith Of the party in the Declaration of
independence immortal proclama-
ton of the inalienable rights of man" 1t
next declares that the "Constitution follows
the flag" and "denounces the doctrine
that an executive or Congress deriving
their existence and their powers from the
Constitution can exercise lawful authority
beyond it or in violation of it,"
The Porto Rico tariff law is then de-
nounced, and the Mckinley administration
is,Larraigned for delaying the grant Of
autonomy and full Independence to Cuba.
Then follows an extended denunciation
of the Philippine policy of the adminstra-
ton, followed by declaration that the
Democratic party is not opposed to terri
torial expansion, but only to such expan-
sion as comes through force and violence"
"The Paramount sue"
Next in order is the paramount Issue"
plank, which is in these words:
"The importance Of other questions now
pending before the American people is in
nowise diminished, and the Democratic
party takes no backward step from its
position on them, but the burning issue of
imperialism, growing out of the Spanish
war, involves the very existence of the
Republic and the destruction of our free
institutions. We regard it as the para
mount issue of the campaign"
Rigid adherence to the Monroe doctrine
is demanded In the next plank. Militar-
ism is denounced, with it's attendant evils
of large standing army and burdensome
taxation. Following this the Republican
party is charged with psltering with the
trust Evil, and with protecting monopOlies
in return for campaign contributions.
The Democratic party is pledged to an un-
ceasing warfare in nation, state and city
against private monopoly in any form.
The .Dingley tariff law is condemned as
"a trust breeding measure, skilfuly devised
to give the few favOrs which they do not
desire, and to place upon the many burdens
which they should not bear"
The Free silver Plank
Next comes the free silver plank which
is as follows:
1--WE II affirm and endorse the principles
Of the national Democratic platform adopt
ed at Chicago in 1896, and we reterate
the demand of that platform for an Amer
lean financial system made by the American
people for themselves, which shall restore
and maintain bimetallic price level, and,
as part of such system, the immediate
restoration of the free and unlimited coin
age of silver and gold at the present legal
ratio of 10 to l, without waiting for the
aid or consent of any other nation
In the planks which follow the currency
| bill enacted by the present Congress, plac-
ing our financial system on permanent
gold basis, is condemned, and the retire
ment Of the national bank notes is de-
| manded.
The election of, United States Senator:
by the direct vote of the people is advocat
ed government by injunction is opposed
and department of labor, in charge of 3
cabinet officer, is proposed. This is sol
| thrown to the so called labor and social
istic element.
| 4 Liberal pensions for American soldier
and sailors in all our wars" are favored.
The immediate construction, ownership
and control of the Nicaragua canal by tn
United States is endorsed, and the admin
istration is scored for its part in the Hay
Pauncefote treaty.
Statehood is promised for the pOpulisti
and free-silver boroughs Of Arizona, Ney
Mexico and Oklahoma A system Of il
regation for 'the arid lands of the West
is favored, but nothing is said as to who /
to pay for it. Then comes an emphati
endorsement Of the Chinese exclusion act
intended for effect on the Pacific coast
By juggle with words it is attempted +
make the voters think that the Democrat
would do something for the Beers if the
could.
The last plank denounces the large aE
preparations OF recent Republican Con
crosses, opposes the continuation Of wa
taxes, the accumulation of surplus an
the squandering of it upon ship subsilie
for private benefit.