The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-10-26

The platform of principles adopted
by the Democratic state. convention
of Ohio for 1901, Is as follows:
The Democrats of ohio reaffirm their
belief in an equality of taxation and
other public burdens; their advocacy
of the equal rights of all the people
with special privileges to none; their
hostility to the monopolization of in
dustry with its tendency on the one
hand to crush out individual enterprise
and on the other to promote a social
istic 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 1t to the present gen
Grafton.
For the promotion of these objects
the Democratic party of Ohio makes
and policies:
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS.
The government of municipalities of
the state should be radically reformed,
and wise general laws be enacted to
correct abuses and prevent their re.
currence.
like, partisan and corrupt, the system
which has prevailed has encouraged
the interference OF the state with the
government of the cities and the de-
NAL OF home rule; has fostered spe-
cial 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 to secure valuable
franchises without adequate compen'
sation therefor, and to protect the
owners of such franchises from just
public demands.
For the existence and continuance
Of these conditions the Republican
party is responsible. Though con
trolling the last general assembly and
the state administration, it defeated
the Revised Municipal Code" pre-
pared by a non-partisan commission
and calculated to produce real and
lasting reforms.
The Democratic party therefore
calls upon the people to unite with II
in placing the conduct of municipal
affairs upon business basis, that
, they may be administered by the peo
pie in the interest of the people or
, the principle of homo rule. No fran
, chise, extension or renewal thereo
ever to be granted by any city or vii
lage without first submitting the same
to vote of the people.
The acceptance Of free passes ol
/ other favors from railroads by public
| officers or employees shall be made
adequate ground for vacating the off
ces held by them.
All public service corporations shall
be required by law to make sworn re
. ports and the power and duty of visi
2 tation and public report shall be con
, ferred upon the proper state and loca
= auditing officers to the end that tn,
true value of the privileges held b.
these corporations shall be made plail
r to the people.
p Steam and electric railroads ant
r other corporations possessing publi
franchises shall be assessed in tn
same proportion Of their salable valu
4 as the farms and city real estate.
y The proceedings of the Republican
( majority of the state board of equal
: Zation are scandal. Property value
G instead Of being equalized were in
- creased or diminished at the dictatio
of political bosses pursuant to corrup
q combinations and copspiracies.
# CONDUCT OF STATE AFFAIRS.
y The Republican majority of the gel
It eral assembly deserves the condem
s nation of the people for its reckles
! extravaganza and the creation of us,
o less Offices. while 1t enacted no legisls
IS ton for the benefit of the people. Th
present Republican administration i
the conduct of public affairs and
+ the management of public institution
!" has been the most costly in the histor
J. of the state. It's benevolent and pen,
le institutions should be conducted upo
Ie q non-partisan and business basis.
s. PEOPLES RIGHTS
y The reserved rights OF the state
, and people to be upheld Centraliz
. ton, which would destroy them,
be condemned. A strict constructio
'o OF the constitution. The greatest i
dividual liberty consistent with pu
4, lie order and welfare.
- TARIFF REFORM.
,v Tariff reform, never more urgent
~, demanded than now when the produ
!, q ton of the country SO far exceeds
p power of consumption that foreit
nc markets are prime condition of !
do continued prosperity and when the
ed lstehce anu ABUSES VI ''"e,n ""'o "e'