Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-09-04
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Following is the platform adopted by
the Wisconsin Democrats Ill convention
at Milwaukee:

Milwaukee:
The Democrats of Wisconsin in
convention assembled, realizing the
Importance of the political battle
about to be waged in the State
and nation, and that upon its QUO
come depends the settlement Of
momentous issues, hereby make the
following declaration of principles:
We affirm the principles as set
forth in the platform, adopted by
the Democratic party in convention
assembled at Kansas City and here
by pledge ourselves to give our ut
most support, by voice and vote, to
the furtherance of the candidates.
of our matchless leaders, William
Jennings Bryan and Adlai 4. Ste
venson.
The Constitution of our country
provides for a government based
upon the broad and humane princi-
pie of government by consent of
the governed Under this Con-
stitution and under these principles
we have founded and maintained
the most enlightened. the most hu-
name, the best government the
world has ever seen. We denounce.
therefore, the abandonment of this
principle by the Mckinley admins
tration, and the substitution in its
stead of the monarehial system OF
d government by force.
We expressly declare our OPPOSE
ton to the Mckinley policy of es-
tablishing colonial dependencies as
adjunets to our republic. We de-
nounce that policy as revolutionary.
destructive of the fundamental
principles of free government, and
the abandonment of that splendid
system upon which was founded
our free institutions.
We will fight to the last ditch
every attempt to establish a mill
tary system which necessarily leads
to compulsory military service as
an obligation of citizenship, and
will strenuously oppose the maiate-
nance of large standing army un-
necessarily, with all its attendant
burdens of oppressive taxation.
We denounce the attitude which
the Mckinley administration has
assumed toward the gigantic aggre-
cations of capital commonly known
as trusts. We believe that these
are menace to industrial freedom:
that they destroy competition, de-
crease production, increase prices
and have thrown a large army of
men out Of employment. We be-
lieve that the declarations of the
Republican party are not sincere,
as evidenced by the fact that dur.
ing four years of control of the
legislative machinery no effective
steps have been taken to control,
regulate or prevent the organiza-
ton of trusts, and for the further
reason that many of the leaders
of the Republican party are them
selves promoters and organizers OF
destructive combinations.
We favor legislation equalizing
the laws of the State upon the
basis of constitutional uniformity
and a revision of the laws relating
to transportation rates and license
fees of quasi-public corporations.
We declare our opposition to the
present system of double taxation
and demand that taxes be justly
and equitably levied upon all prop
erty within the State, whether own
ed by corporations or individuals,
without discrimination or favor,
excepting such property of relig-
ious, fraternal and benevolent asso-,
Citations as is now expressly ex-
empt by law.
We are opposed to joint resolu-
ton No. 16, proposing an amend
ment to section IA of article 10 of
the constitution of the State of
Wisconsin, relating to education.
This proposed amendment is in
conflict with the recently expressed
vote of the people, and opens the
way for the yesting of the control
of the public school arbitrarily in
the hands of the State superinten-
dent and taking away FROM the peo-
pie Of the various counties the cleo
ton of county superintendent.
We are opposed to joint rssolu
ton No. IS. proposing an amend
ment to article II of the constitu-
ton of Wisconsin, giving the Leg
islature power to pass general
banking law, and believe that the
people should continue to be vested
with the ultimate power to vote
upon the passage of any banking
law.
We condemn the present caucus
law, which provides for compli-
Gated and expensive nominating
system, and favor such a revision
of the same as will result in a sim
pie, direct and inexpensive method
of nominating candidates for Of
fee and delegates to conventions.
We congratulate the State OF
Wisconsin upon the efficiency of its
National Guard, and pledge our
selves to do all in our power to
maintain its present high standard.
We pledge the candidates nomi-
mated by this convention to honest
ly, safely and economically admit
ister the business of the State III
the interest of all the people.