The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1901-08-29
Democratic Platform in Full.

The Democrats or Ohio reanlrm their be-
lief in an equality of taxation and other
public burdens; their advocacy Of the equal
rights OF all tho people, with special privi-
leges to none; their hostility to the monep-
oliZation of industry, with Its tendency on
the one hand to crush out individual enter
prise, and on the other to promote 4 social.
istlc spirit among the people as the only
refuge from oppression; and their faith In
that theory and practice OF constitutional
government which brought the nation into
existence and have preserved II to the pres
ent generation.
For the promotion OF these objects the
Democratic party OF Ohio makes the follow
Ing declaration Of principles and policies:
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS.
The government Of municipalities OF the
etate should be radically reformed and wise
general laws be enacted to correct abuses
and prevent their recurrence.
inefficient, expensive, unbusinessllke, par.
tisan aud corrupt, the system which has
prevailed has encouraged the Interference
of the state with the government of the
cities and the denial OF home rule; has fos
tered special legislation and the Imposition
OF burdensome debts and taxes without the
sanction Of the people, and has brought
about the corrupt employment of party
leaders 90 secure valuable franchises with
ont adequate compensation therefor and to
protect the owners OF SuCn FRANCHISES from
just public demands.
For the existence and continuance of
these conditions the Republican party Is
responsible. Though controlling the las,
general assembly and the state admipistYa
tion. Ii defeated the Revised Municipal
Code" preprred by a nonpartisan cOmInis
sion, and calculated to produce real and
lasting reforms.
The Democratic party therefore calls upon
the people 10 unite with 1t In placing the
conduct Of rlnnicipai affairs upon q bust
ness basis, that they may be administered
by the people In the interest OF all the peo-
pie on the principle of home rule. No fran
be granted by any city or village without
first submitting the same to vote Of tbs
people.
TAXATION.
The acceptance of free passes or other
favors from railroads by public officers or
employees shall be made adequate ground
for vacating the Offices held by them.
Ali public service corporations shall be re-
quired by law to make sworn public re-
ports, and the power and duty Of visitation
and public report shall be conferred upon
the proper state and local auditing officers
to the end that the true yaiua of the privi-
ieges held b. these corporations shall be
made plain to the people.
Steam and electric railroads and other
corporations possessing public franchises
shall be assessed In the same proportion to
their salable value as are farms and city
real estate.
The proceedings Of the Republican major
tty Of the state board Of equalization are a
scandal. Property values Instead Of being
equalzed Wee Increased or diminished at
the dictatiop of political bosses pursuant
10 corrupt combinations and conspiracIes
CONDUCT OF STATE AFFAIRS, ETC.
The Republican majority OF the general
assembly deserves the condemnation OF the
psopie for Its reckless extravagancc and
the creation Of useless Offices, while II en-.
acted no legislation for the benem. OF the
people. The present Republican admins.
tratlon In the conduct of public affairs and
IN the management OF public institutions
has been the most costly ia the history OF
the state. IT'S benevolent and penal instI-
tutiops shoull be conducted upon q non.
partisan and business basis
PEOPLES RIGHTS,
The reserved rights OF the state and peo-
pie to be upheld. Capitalization, which
would destroy them. TO be condemned. A
strict construction of the constitution. The
greatest individual liberty consistent with
public order and welfare.
TARIFF REFORM.
TaFin reform. naveg more urgently do,
fnAEded than now when the production Of
the country SO far exceeds its power OF
consumption that foreign markets are
prime condition OF Its continued prosperity,
and when the existence and abuses Of trusts
have been brought about by the policy of
QrOteetisB OF favored Industries. The nbo
5itlOn OF the so-called protective system ana
the substitution In Its place Of the tradl-
Alonai Democratic policy Of a tarih for rev
enue, so levied M not to burden one indus
try for the benefit OF another.
MONOPOLIES.
The enactment and rigorous enforce meat
OF measures which shall prevent all monOp
Oiies and combinations In restraint OF trade
and CONNER e-the matter OF first lmpor-
tanee being % prevent the use OF the gov
arnment as an fundamentally for the crea-
tIon and increase OF the wealth OF the few.
while preserving intact the right OF private
property and the fullest measure OF indi
vsdual liberty OF contract, and assuring 70
4zerx psa the just reward Of superior lH'