The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-06-13

platform of Democratic state conven-
ton at Columbus o.:
I'VE the Democrats of Ohio, in con
vention assembled, reaffirm our adher-
ence to the Democratic national plat
form adopted at Chicago in 1896. But
new and grave issues have arisen
threatening the safety of free govern
ment itself which should command at
this time the most serious attention of
all patriotic citizens.
I'VE enter our protest against the
doctrine that the president or congress
can govern an acquired territory out
side and independently of the cOnStitu-
ton of the United States as a doctrine
utterly SubVersiVe of every foundation
principle of our government The de-
claratiOn of independence, the flag and
the constitution must everywhere stand
together, as emblemS of human liberty
and equal rights for one and where one
goes, all go. We therefore, denounce i'm
perialism under any pretense as neces-
Sarily leading to militariSrn and as
wholly foreign to our system of govern
ment and declare that neither congress
nor the president can exercise any pow
er whatever not derived from the con-
stitution. We therefore denounce the
Porto Rican tariff bill as a palpable vio-
lation of the doctrines of the fathers
and of the fundamental principles of our
government which is based upon equal
rights to all
Trusts and monopolies, formed for
the purpose of arbitrarily controlling
production and prices in the interest
solely of combined capital, If allowed to
! go can result only in industrial Serf-
| dom for the mass of people. We there
| fore oppose such combinations and de-
mand that not only shall existing laws
against combinations in restraint of
| trade be rigidly enforced but believing
| that protective tariffs and railway dis
! examinations have been, and still are,
! the chief supporters of monOpOlieS
we favor the removal of all duties
| from imports monopolized by trusts and
| also demand that enactment and en-
/ fOrcement of such legislation as will
| prevent every species of discrimination
| and believe that the courageous and
honest. application of the Democratic
maxim of equal rights to all and spec
iaI privileges to none will be effective
| to destroy and thereafter prevent any
| trust or combination of capital that is
| prejudicial to the general welfare: we
| demand the repeal of all laws giving
| special privilege to any person, class To-
| cality or interest
I'VE denounce the currency law pass
| ed by the present congress which trans
ferS to the banks the entire control OF
the paper currency, thus laying the
foundation for a money trust which viii
| have power to control the prices of al
property and to stimulate or strangls
business: on the other hand, by requir-
ing the government to redeem all form.
multiplies the evils of the endless chair
and imposes upon the government tn,
entire burden of supplying gold for ex
| port wherever demanded and to obtain
which it must issue bonds when neces
sary, thus necessitating not only per
petual debt, but for perpetually-i in
creasing debt
In lieu of a currency Of bank prom
ises to pay,to be expanded and contract
ed as the interest of banks alone ma
dictate, we demand that the genera
government shall not only coin tn
metals but shall issue and regulate tn
volume of paper currency also in the in
terest of all the people and that all cur
rency intended TO circulate as none
shall be legal tender and be maintaine
at a parity of value. and be regulate
with a view to maintaining stable pric
. levels and safe business conditions.
We affirm anew our undiminishe
faith in the acknowledged leader of on
5 party. William ]. Bryan and deman