Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1901-08-23

man unknown to the vast majority of
the convention members, except by
reputation, was all the talk yesterday
in Norfolk according to those who
were on the ground, and the young
Staunton leader was being doomed for
all sorts of hOnors from Governor to
United States Senator"
THE PLATFORM.
Following is the platform adopted
by the convention:
1.-The Democrats of the State of Vir-
ginia in convention assembled reaffirm
their allegiance and unfaltering devo-
tion to the National Democratic party,
and declare their admiration for it's
leaders from Jefferson to Bryan, who
have borne the party standards in VIC
tory and defeat.
1--WE commend the administration of
Governor Tyler as eminently wise, pa
triotic and efficient.
Gas convincing assurance of the
results which may be expected from
the continued control and management
of the affairs of the State by the Dem
| ocratic party, whose membership en-
braces the great mass of white people
of Virginia, We point to the record of
what it has already accomplished with
in recent period. Since 1885 the pub.
lie debt has been satisfactorily settled
and now the annual accruing interest
has been promptly met and the market
value of the bonds is nearly par. The
credit of the State has been placed
beyond question.
"There has been net gain of over
$500. 200 in the gross yearly revenue,
without any increase of the rate of
taxation and without any increase in
the average assessed value of agricul-
tural lands.
1.-THE public school system has been
steadily maintained and improved. In
1885 there were $500 schools, while in
1901 they number 1858. In 1885 the
annual expenditure, State and local,
for public school purposes was about
81, 100000, while in 1901 it will exceed
$2,1OO.OOO.
DISABLED Confederate soldiers and
the widows of those who were killed
have been as literally cared for as the |
resources of the State would permit. |
The annual outlay for pensions and
for the soldiers home is not less than
$4,000.
IAN Agricultural Department has
been established and also Bureau of |
Labor. Notwithstanding several years
of severe financial depression, the pop
ulation has grown, cities and towns
have been established, trade and COM
merce have advanced, lands heretofore
vacant are being occupied. the volume
of farm products is constantly increas-
ing, capital already invested is yield |
ing profitable returns and outside cap
ital is seeking investment.
"It is settled and unflagging pur-
pose of the party to further improve
the public school system, to extend
the greatest possible aid to deserving
pensioners and to omit nothing in the
way OF enactment and execution of
the laws that will tend to promote the
intellectual and material progress OF
the Commonwealth.
1--WE promise that in all departments
of the Government rigid economy shall
be practiced which the taxpayers are
entitled to demand.
The condition of public roads is a
matter of serious importance to all citi-
zens. and we are in favor of the adop-
tion of effective measures to secure the
obvious and manifold advantages to
be effected by their speedy and per-
manent improvement at the expense
of the counties in which they are locat
ed.
I'VE are In favor of the enactment
by the General Assembly of bill modi-
flying the fellow.servant doctrine SO as
to impose just and reasonable lia-
bility upon hazardons transportation
companies in respect to their employees.
"We declare unalterable opposition
to the criminal trusts and to every H.
legal combination of capital. We de-
nounce such trusts as a serious men
ace to public welfare. restricting the
opportunities and absorbing the SUBJ
stance of the people. They are the di-
rect product of partial and unjust leg
islatlOn and reckless multiplication
of corporations, without suitable pro-
visions for their control. The rights of
American freemen must not be sacri-
feed in the interests of corporations
banded together for their destruction.
We arraign the Republican party both
for it's failure to enforce existing laws
and to enact others against the trusts.
1.-THE Democratic party recognizes,
as it ever has done, the great import
ance of the fish and oyster industry of
the State of Virginia, and it pledges
itself to foster and encourage these in
dustries by all necessary legislation,
and that the public rocks and bottom
shall be held for the exclusive use of
our own citizens.
I'VE declare ourselves as favOring