Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-09-06
DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES.
Ably Set Forth by Z. NJ. shnron at
the Iowa State Com
HentiOn.


The democrats of Iowa, in conven-
ton at Des Moines, Wednesday, Aug
ust 81, by vote of 661 to 55s reatiirmed
The Kansas City platform after one of
the most bitter struggles ever known
in an Iowa state convention. Much to
the surprise of Bryan leaders, the OPP
position captured the committee on
resolutions and submitted u majority
report with the signatures OF eight
ont of eleven members, but the minor
ity report, presented by ex-Cnngress-
man Walter II. Butler, OF Polk county,
was forced through, after an exciting
contest. The most noticeable feature
of the meeting WAS the opening adj
dress of Temporary Chairman f. NJ.
Sharon, who spoke in part as follows:
THE democratic party must not be
negative party-a party of mere opposition.
1t cannot be a party Of calamity which
draws vitality and success from Industrial
OF financial depression.
1T will merit success because II grapples
the problems OF the present and brings to
their solution wise Ftatesmansh.p, the Wis
dom that comes from. democratic princi-
Of the constitution, ever pointing TO the
great declaration of human rights which
the fathers proclaimed at the beginning
and fixed in the armament of our national
life. From that guide and that object We
get our cardinal principles of equality of
all men-natural and corporate-to enjoy
the rights and bear the burdens of govern
ment
while 1t remedies the wrongs of special
legislation for favored classes, it Will labor
for the upbuilding of right Industrial and
commercial progress for real expansion
from within that will make our country
the great political and CONNIE rcial power
Of the world, while all of our people will
share In Its prosperity, while they enjoy
the blessings OF free government and the
noblsst citizenship.
We are facing to-day conditions that
are momsntous, destructive to our in
dustries, our commerce and the welfare
Of our people-conditions that have been
| treated by the republican party in viola
ton of the democratic doctrine of equal
rights to all and special privileges to none
that 1t was the destiny of the United
States to be the great American power,
the dominant power Of the western hemis-
phere.
imperialism and trusts are the two
great dominant evils Of our national life.
TE.y produce the two great issues which
the democratic party must meet.
L TX COt0alal pOllCS the dQmlnlStTa-
ton had Its inspiration ard its demand
from pace hunters, concession grabbers,
from those who have or seek special privi-
leges in our acquired possessions. II the
administration had said to those who
| sought concessions In Havana and Manila
| that Its policy was equal rights to all and
special privileges to none we would have
had no war in the Philippines and our army
| of occupation would long ago have left
Cuba.
| There can be no solution of the trust
I problem, there can be no breaking down
| of monopoly until government favor Is
| withdrawn from them. Destroy monopoly
and special class privileges and you kill
the trusts. Commence in the patent Office,
the fountain head of legalized monopoly.
IF the government at Washington would
| demand that the stock of every corpora
ton licensed by it represents money or
property at its ACTUAL worth-if II will
take care that 1t, gets no undue advantage
from transportation companies, that 1t
uses no unfair means to destroy legitimate
1 competition, that it sells its products for
a fair price, that it treats Its employees
honestly and pays fair wages for fair
days work, II II will oblige 1t to pay an
income tax upon its possible earnings we
would find great many Napoleons of
/ finance losing interest in what are now
the vast monopolies and trusts of the
world and honest business men could use
| their methods of operation for the benefit
| of our industries
"If congress persists in refusing to SUBJ
NIT necessary amendments to the con-
stitution of the United States it is the
duty of the states to call a convention
| for that purpose and revise the constitu-
tion by adding to 1t the grants necessary
to enable congress to control the trusts,
destroy monopoly. provide for the cleo
| ton of United States senators by the peo-
| pie and provide for an income tax on per-
| sons and corporations sufficient in times
of peace to pay the greater part of all the
expenses Of the national government