Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-08-16
THE PLATFORM.

ton to the national democratic party, |
and declare their admiration for lie
leaders, from Jefferson to Bryan, who |
have borne the party standards 10 VIC
tory and defeat. i
1--WE commend the administration oil
Governor Tyler as eminently wise, pa
triotic and efficient.
"As convincing ASSURANCE OF the re-
suits which may be expected rom the
continued control and management OF
the affairs of the State by the demo-
cratic party, whose membership en-
braces the great mass ofwhite people oil
Virginia, we point to the record OF what
1t has already accomplished within a re-
cent period. Since 1885 the public
debt has been satisfactorily settled ana
now the annually accruiDg interest has
been promptly met and the market
value ot the bonds Is nearly par. Inc
credit of the State has been placed be-
yond question.
"There has been net gain OF over
$500, 900 10 the gross yearly revenue,
without any increase OF the rate OF tax
alton and without any increase In the
average assessed value OF agricultural
lands.
"The public school system has been
steadily maintained and improved. 10
1885 there were $500 schools, while 10
1901 they number 1888. 10 1885 the
annual expenditure, State and local, for
public school purposes was about
| 81. 40O, 900, while in 1901 1t will exceed
| 81, 100 600.
DISABLED Confederate soldiers aud
the widows. of those who were killed
have been ss 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
$40, 600.
San Agricultural Department has
been established and also Bnreau oil
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 projects is constantly increas-
ing, capital already invested is yielding
profitable returns and outside capitel
ia seeking investment.
"Itis settled and upfagging purpose
OF the party to further improve the
public school system, to extend the
greatest possible aid to deserving PEN
sionera aud to omit nothing In the way
of enactment and execution OF the
laws that will tend to promote the 10
iellectusl and material progress OF the
Commonwealth.
1--WE nromise that IL all departments
of the Government rigid economy shall
be practiced which the taxpayers are
entitled to demand.
"Tbe condition of public roads is a
matter of serious importance 10 all citi'
zsns. and we are 10 favor OF the adop'
, lion OF effective measures to secure The
obvious and manifold advantages TO be
effect ed by their speedy and permanent
Improvement at the expense OF the
counties 10 which they are located.
"We are In favor OF the enactment
| by the General A ssembly OF q bi modi'
fVing the fellow-servant doctrine go a.
| to impose Just snd reasonable liablli
ty upon hazardous transportation com
panies In respect to their employees.
1--WE declare unal;erable opposition
, 10 the criminal trusts and to every H.
legal combination of capital. We de-
nounce such trusts as q serious menac'
to public welfare, restricting the op
portuuties and absorbing the substance
OF the people. They are the direct pro
duct OF partial and unjust Legislation
and a reckless multiplication OF corpora
tious, without suitable provisions fol
their coutrol. The rights OF American
freemen must not be sacrificed in tht
} interests OF corporations banded togeth
: or for their destruction. We arraigr
the republican party both for its failure
J 10 enforce existing laws and to enac
others against the trusts.
"The democratic party recognizes, al
it ever has done, the great Importance
of the fish and oyster industry OF thu
State OF Virginia, and it pledges itsel
} TO foster and encourage these indus
! tries by all necessary legislation, snt
} that the public rocks and bottom shall
! be held for the exclusive use OF our owl
} citizsus.
, 1--WE declare ourselves as favorint
] the principle OF the selection of party
candidates by primary election, De
: lieyinz this to be the surest method
! arriving at the will OF the people apt
maintaining democratic institutions
We accordingly direct the State Cen
trail Committee to provide primary
! election plan for the choice OF party
! candidates for the United States and TO
! all elective State officers, and for th'
members OF the House of Representa-
tivts OF the United States, for member
J of the General Assembly and for count,
and municipal officers, except wber'
no party nominations are made and ex
cept 10 the case of county and muoici
= pal officers where for special reason
, the local party authorities shall deem
3 inexpedient. Aud the party plan o
; organizing, 10 so far as the same MAJ
conflict with any of the above require
meuts, is hereby altered to that extent
We further favor the enactment by th,
D General Assembly of law legalizinl
the primaries to be conducted uode
D the plan herein provided for, said plal
when adopted by the committee to b.
!, uniform as to method and to requir'
!, the elections to be held on the SAM
!. day throughout the State districts o
y counties, ss the case may be.D
b HORSE SHOW.
n III lIha-.xin kor.o ahau cfotad vaztar