The age-herald., 1900-06-21
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.

workmen we favor a more effective re- striction of the immigration of cheap la bor from foreign lands, the extension of opportunities of education for working chtl- dren, the raising of the age limit for child labor, the protection of free labor as against contract convict labor and an ef- fective system of labor insurance.
 The Merchant Marine
 "Our present dependence upon foreign shipping for nine-tenths of our foreign car rying is a great loss to the industry of this country. It is also serious danger to our trade, for it's sudden withdrawal in the event of a European war would seriously cripple our expanding foreign commerce. The national defense and naval efficiency of this country, moreover, supply a com polling reason for legislation which will enable us to recover our former place among trade carrying fleets of the world.
 "The nation owes a debt of profound gratitude to the soldiers and sailors who have fought it's battles and it is the gov ernment's duty to provide for the suryi- vors and the widows and orphans of those who have fallen in the countrys wars. The pension laws founded on this just sentl- ment should be liberal, and should be hb- erally administered, and preference should be given, wherever practicable, with re- spect to employment in the public service to soldiers and sailors or to their widows and orphans.
 Civil Service
 "We commend the policy of the Republi- can party in maintaining the efficiency or the civil service. The Administration has acted wisely in its effort to secure for pub lie service in Cuba, Porto Rico, Hawaii and the Philippine Islands only those whose fitness has been determined by training and experience. We believe that employment in the public service in those territories should be confined as far as possible to their inhabitants.
 Ut was the plain purpose of the Eff teenth Amendment to the Constitution to prevent discrimination on account Of color in regulating the elective franchise. De- vices of State governments, whether by statutory or constitutional enactment to avoid the purpose of the amendment, are revolutionary and should be condemned.
 Public movements looking to a perma- nent improvement of roads and highways of the country meet with our cordial ap- proval, and we recommend this subject to the earnest consideration of the people and of the Legislatures of the several States.
 "We favor the extension of the rural free delivery service wherever it's extension may be justified.
 "In further pursuance of the constant policy of the Republican party to provide free homes the public domain we rec ommend equal national legislation to re- claim the arid lands of the United States, reserving control of the distribution of water for irrigation to the respective States and Territories.
 "We favor home rule for and the early admission to statehood of the territories of New Mexico, Arizona and Oklahoma.
 The War Tax
 "Tha Dingley act amended to provide suf- ficient revenue for the conduct of the war has so well performed its work that it has been possible to reduce the war debt In the of $40,000OOO. So ample are the governments revenues and so great is the public confidence in the integrity of its ob- legations that it's newly funded ? per cent bonds sell at premium. The country is now justified in expecting, and 1t will be the policy of the Republican party to bring about a reduction of the war taxes.
 Isthmanian CanaIi
 "We favor the construction, ownership, control and protection of an isthmian canal by the government of the United States.
 New markets are necessary for the in- creasing surplus of our farm products. Every effort should be made to open and obtain new markets especially in the or ient and the administration is to be warm ly complmented for it's successful effort to commit all trading and colonizing na- tions to the policy of the open door in China.
 "In the interest of our expanding com merce, we recommend that Congress create a department of commerce and industries in the charge of a secretary. The United States consular system should be reorgan- ized under the supervision of this new de- partment upon such basis as to appoint ment and tenure, as will render it still more serviceabe to the nations increas- ing trade.
 "The American government must protect the person and property of every-etizen wherever they wrongfully violated or placed in peril.
 we congra tulate the women of America upon their splendid record of public ser vice in the Volunteer Aid Association, and as nurses in camp and hospital during the recent campaign of our armies in the east ern and Western Indies, and we appreciate their faithful cooperation in all works of education and industry
 President Mckinley has conducted the foreign affairs of the United States with distinguished credit to the American peo- pie. In releasing us from the vexatious con- dtions of an European alliance for the government of Samoa, his course is espe- cialy to be commended. By securing to our undivided control the most important is- land of the Samoan group and the best harbor in the southern Pacific, every Amer l ican interest has been safeguarded. We approve the annexation of the Ha- waiian Islands to the United States. We commend the part taken by our gov | ernment in the peace conference at The Hague. We assert our steadfast adherence l to the policy announced in the Mon.2e doc | Urine. The provisions of the Hague con- | vention were wisely regarded when Presi- | dent Mckinley rendered his friendly of | fees in the interest of peace between Great 1 Britain and the South African republic | government
 l While the American government must | continue the policy prescribed by Wash | ington, affirmed by every succeeding presi- | dent and imposed upon us by the Hague l treaty, of non-intervention in European i countries, the American people earnestly | hope that way may soon be found hon | orabe alike to both contending parties, to | terminate the strife between them. Our New F Possessions. "In accepting by the treaty of Paris the 1 just responsibility of our victories in the 1 Spanish war, the President and the Sem l ate the undoubted approval of the | American people. No other course was | possible than to destroy Spain's sover- | eighty throughout the West Indies and in l the Philippine Islands. That course ere l ated our responsibility before the world