Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-09-20
THE DEMOCRATIC ELECTORAL CON-
vEETION.


THE DEMOCRATIC ELECTORAL CON-
vEETI0N.
In our last issue we we're enabled to-
make but brief mention Of the proceedings
Of the Democratic Electoral Convention at
Trenton on tic 18th inst. Col. T. Living
stoAe Price was the Temporary Chairman
and Ex-Governor George T. Werts the Per-
maient Chairman Following his address,
Mr.. Price Introduced General Patrick A.
Collins, of Boston, ex-Consul to Liverpool
under the last Cleveland Administration,
whose speech viii be found in an adjoining
column
THE PLATFORM.
Former Judge d. Clarence Conorer, Of Mon
mouth, presented the report OF the Committee
on Resolutions in the following platform, which
was adopted with marked enthusiasm:
The representatives OF the Democratic party
of New Jersey, in convention assembled, do
hereby endorse the declaration OF party princi-
pies adopted at Kansas City as the embodiment
OF party faith.
We reaiiir1n our devotion to the immortal
truths proclaimed in the Declaration OF lndepen-
a day, but for all time.
We charge the Republican party with having
done more to destroy its influence IN the world
than has been done i'll a century by the com
bined Inonarchies OF Europe. We have seen
war waged by the whole people IN the holy
cause of human freedom to liberate Cuba from
bondage converted into u war Of dominion and
conquest The benevolent assimilation of the
President has become criminal aggression
Policies of state ut variance with our whole
history are now openly proclaimed. we can no
wifi, the effect voice Tor
liberty abroad, because of our folly in the Philip
pines. Oppressive revenue taxes imposed for
the redemption OF Cuba and cheerfully borne
by our people are now permanently engrafted
upon our system OF taxation. We are Obliged
to expend annually because OF our imperialism
the extraordinary sum OF S30O,0O0,O0O III excess
of our usual expenditure.
We demand that the nation proclaim its pur-
pose to establish stable government at Manila,
and at its earliest moment to declare that when
such government is worthy OF recognition that
should be granted them, which
they heroicaily won from Spain.
FOSTERING TRUsTs.
We are opposed to monopolies everywhere,
and especially oppose them in the great in
dustrial trades.
We denounee the Republican party that has
been for years in control OF legislation, both
State and national for its failure TO check the
dangerous growth of these unlawful combine
tons These gigantic associations of capital
have been fostered by Republican legislation
and the progress of labor and of individual
enterprise has been checked. The Government
has thus become an engine for the acquisition
OF private wealth The flag itself, the most
sacred symbol OF national honor, has be-
come a commercial asset. In turn the Trusts
contribute vast sums for campaign purposes, for
Legislative protection, and have become SO eX-
tortionate that they look even to the Presidency
itself for protection. We uualterably OPP
posed to a syndieated Presidency.
We declare for a strict enforcement Of all ex-
isting laws and the enactment of mere stringent
legislation to control their activity. We declare
for rigid inspection OF their books by compe-
tent public officers, and the removal Of custom
duties from their products, when it is found
necessary for the protection of lawful competi-
tons. Ii necessary we favor the revocation OF
their charters for gross infractions OF the law.
New Jersey should not be permitted to be the
home OF corporations that are dangerous and
FOR FREE CUBA.
We declare that the pledges made by this
Government to Cuba should be faithfully kept
The honor of the nation requires it. We deplore
the public scandals arising out OF our admins
tration OF that island, and we charge the Repub-
lican party with the responsibility thereof
We approve the enlargement OF our navy and
we favor liberal expenditures &c maintain Its
high efficiency
We declare for the construction Of the Nieara-
guam Canal and we demand that when so built
Il shall be controlled and defended by the
United States. No foreign Power shall be per
mitted to control this waterway so essential for
the protection Of our coast and the integrity OF
country
Our warInest sympathy goes out to those heroic
men in South Africa, who in the face OF over
whelming numbers are still battling bravely
Tor their country life. The destruction Of their
national existence will be viewed with keen
regret by every American worthy of the name.
We favor the creation OF Department Of
Labor by Congress. We approve the methods
OF arbitration for the settlement Of all disputes OF
labor.
We favor the election OF United States sena-
tors directly BY the people.
We send our deepest sympathy to the people
OF Texas in the great calamity which has be
fallen that State, and we congratulate the coun-
try on the immediate response i has so nobly
made to the stricken people of Galveston.
In State affairs declare in favor OF equal
taxation, home rule, honest State and municipal
governments, the abolition of useless and ex-
pensiye State Commissions, the reduction OF the
large present expense of the State government
to the economical standard maintained for years
under Democratic rule, the reduction of official
salaries, the adjustment of the fee system and
the placing of all officials q salary basis; the
enactment of laws in the interest of organized
labor and for the protection of the wage carriers
of the State, the repeal OF all laws that abridge
the right OF jiries to fix the amount of damages
in cases where the death Of a person IS caused
by wrongful act and the release of the admins
tration of State affairs from the control of cor
porations and their restoration to the authority
of the people
FOR EQUAL TAXATION.
We demand that the tax laws OF this State be
amended to provide for the equal taxation of all
ious, charitable educational purposes, in
accordance with the mandates of the Constitu-
ton, which says:
Property shall be assessed for taxes under
general laws, and by uniform rules according
to its true value.
We condemn the present State Administration
for its subserviency to the corporations OF the
State, as evidenced by the fact that in matters
of legislation and executive appointments, the
dictation of tire corporations is supreme; while
the public sentiment and public welfare are met
xtpitqd 1arp1 n nd Tifuaory b0ra
We hold the system OF taxing corporations in
this State is not only unequal, as among tax
payers, but unfair TO the receipts of the tax.
such system has resulted III Impoverished
burdened by large bonded debts,
and an enriched State Treasury, which is made
the occasion of great extrayagance tin State
expenditures. The only remedy for this
evil is in system OF actual equal tax
alton within the contemplation of the constitlI-
tionai mandate and compel all property OF
whatever form to be taxed Mt equal proportion
for the municipal and State burdens.
We condemn the general course of Republican
legislation in this State whereby all private and
public interests are held subservient TO the cor
porations, and whereby all laws and appropria-
tons are made at the demand and instance OF
the lobby.
We call for retrenchment OF the present ex-
travagant and unnecessary expenditure in State
business and demand more iudiciOus economy.
JUDGES As LOBBYISTS.
We deplore the spectacle of some of the Judges
Of the Court of Common Pleas, of this State,
as lobbyists before legislative bodies
in the interests of powerful railroad and other
and we also condemn the practice
Of said Judges appearing counsel for said
corporations before juries IN their own counties.
We maintain that a high judiciary Office like
that Of President Judge OF the Court Of Common
Pleas is incompatible with the Office OF an at
Iorney at law, and if the Judges themselves are
to forego retainers from corporations
and others, we maintain that it is the duty of
bhe Legislature TO enact a law that will make it
impossible for such Judges to practice law IN
HE counties in which they shall hold court
We condemn the action Of the last Legislature
IN seeking to impose upon the municipalities OF
the State the burden OF so perfecting the rail
road tracks TO avoid the dangers Of grade
crossings, and we declare that whenever rail-
road track becomes menace to the ordinary
use Of street, the railroad company owning
such track, shall, at the request OF the munich
pal authorities, change the grade at its own
expense
To William Jennings Bryan and to Adlai e.
stevenson, the chosen leaders OF the National
Democracy we promise our loyal ana hearty
support.
1t seems that the $4,000 miners Of
Pennsylvania who are now on strike for
living wages havn't had full dinner pail
or long time, and under trust coal
operators such luxury was not in pros
pcct
"The victory this year over the Republic
an party will be 50 great that never for a