The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1901-08-08
Democratic Platform i'm Full.

The Democrats or Ohio reatflrm their be-
lief In an equality of taxation and other
public burdens; their advocacy Of the equal
rights Of all the 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.
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 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
state should be radically reformed and wise
general laws be enacted to correct abuses
and prevent their recurrence.
Inefficient, expensive. unbusinesslike, par.
tisan and 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 to secure valuable franchises with
out adequate compensation 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
respOsible. Though controlling the last
general assembly and the state administra-
tion II defeated the Revised Municipal
Code" prepared by a nonpartisan commits,
sion, and calculated to produce real and
lasting reforms.
The Democratic party therefore calls upon
the np0nln n unItQ with ~ N nla ctnO ha
conduct Of rinnicipal aHairs upon a busi
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
chise, extension or renewal thereof ever to
be granted by any city or village without
first submitting the same to vote of the
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.
All 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 value of the privi-
leges held b. these corporations shall be
made plain tc 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 proceeding OF the Republican ma jor.
ity OF the state board OF equalization are
scandal Property values instead Of being
equalized Wee Increased or diminished az
the dictation OF political bosses pursuant
to corrupt combinations and consplracies.
CONDUCT OF STATE AFFAIRS, ETC
The Republican majority OF the general
assembly deserves the condemnation of the
people for Its reckless extravaganza and
the creation OF useless Offices, while II en-
acted no legislation for the beneA. Of the
people. The present Republican adminis-
tratlon In the conduct OF public affairs and
In the management OF public Institutions
has been the most costly In the history OF
the state. It's benevolent and penal insti
tutiOns shoull be conducted upon a non.
partisan and business basis.
PEOPLES NIGHTS
The reserved rights OF the state and peo-
pie to be upheld. Capitalization, which
would deatr0y them, to be condemned. A
strict construction OF the constitution. The
greatest individual liberty consistent with
public order and welfare.
TARIFF REFORM.
Tariff reform. never more urgently de-
manded than now when tho production Of
the country so far exceeds Its power of
consumption that foreign markets are
prime condition OF Its continued Pre-, lperity,
and when the existence and abuses OF trusts
have been brought about by the policy Of
protection OF favored Industries. The abo-
iitioH OF the so-caIled protective system ana
the substitution In lts place Of the tEadl.
tiOnal Democratic policy OF a tarift for rev
enue. so levied MS not TO burden one Indus
try for the benefit Of another.
MONOPOLIEB.
The enactment and rigorous enforcement
of measures which shall prevent all monOp.
Olies and combinations In restraint OF trada
and CONNER. e-the matter Of arst imYoE-
tAnce being 70 prevent the use OF the Sow
srnment as an fundamentally for the orea.
ton and Increase OF the wealth OF the few,
while preserving Intact the right OF prNxats
pfoperty and the fullest meRsure Of InAL
vidual liberty OF contract, ana QasggiAG y
eIssx man the ju1s rsMaKa asAlllE E1aeR An