The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-07-10
THE PLATFORM.
Declaration of Principles BY the Ohio
Democracy.

Columbus, O., July 1O.-The following
is a synopsis of the report of the com
mittee on resolutions at the Democratic
state convention:
1.-The Democrats of Ohio reaffirm their
belief in the equality of taxation and
other public burdens; their advocacy of
the gradual rights of all people with
special privileges to none; their hOstili-
ty to the mOnODOlizatiOn Of industry
with its tendency on the one hand to
crush out individual enterprise and on
the other to promote a SocialiStic
spirit among the people as the only
refuge from oppression and their faith
in that theory and practice of constitu-
tiOnal government which brought the
nation into existence and has preserved
it to the present general ton For the
promotion of those objects the Demo-
cratic party of Ohio makes the follow
ing declaration of principles and poll
cies:
'HThe government of municipalities of
the state should be radically informed.
and wise general laws be enacted to
correct abuses and prevent their recur-
renee
The Democratic party therefore calls
upon the people to unite with it in plac-
ing the conduct of municipal affairs
upon business basis. and they may
be administered by the people in the in
terest of all the people on the principle
of home rule. No franchise, extension
or renewal thereof to be granted by any
city or village without first submitting
the same to a vote of the people.
THE acceptance of free passes or other
favors from railroads by public officers
or employees shall be made an adequate
ground for vacating the offices held by
them
other corporations possessing public
franchises shall be assessed in the same
proportion to their salable value as
are farms and city real estate
1.-THE proceedings of the Republican
majority of the state board of equaliza-
ton are a scandal. Property values in
stead of being equalized or diminished
at the dictation of political bosses pur-
suant to corrupt combinations ana con-
spiracies have been increased
*'The present Republican administra-
tiOn in the conduct of public affairs and
in the management of public institu-
tions has been the most costly in the
history of the state. It's benevolent and
penal institutions should be conducted
upon non partisan and business basis
1.-The reserved rights of the state and
people to be upheld. Capitalization
which would destroy them to be con-
demned. A strict observation OF the
constitution. The greatest of individual
liberty consistent with public order and
welfare.
Tariff reform was never more urgent
ly demanded than now when the pro-
ductiOn of the country SO far exceeds
its power of consumption that foreign
markets are prime condition OF its
continued prosperity. and when the ex-
istence and abolition of trusts have
protecting favored industries The
abolition of the sO-called protective
system and the substitution in its place
of the traditional Democratic policy or
a tariff for revenue so levied as to not
burden one industry for the benefit OF
another.
1.-THE enactment and rigorous enforce
ment of measures which shall prevent
all mOnOpOlieS and cOmbina tlOnS in re-
straint of trade and commerce-the
matter of first Importance being to pre-
- 1ar, cr<.r q n q
instrumentality for the creation and
increase of the wealth of the few, while
preserving intact the right of private
property and the fullest measure OF in
dividuaI liberty of contract and assur-
ing to every man the just reward or Su-
perior industry and skill.
I'VE demand the suppression of all
trusts and a return to industrial free
dom AS a means to that end all trust
products should be placed on the free
list and the government should exercise |
a more rigid supervision of transporta-
ton lines and abolish, in fact, all dis I
elimination in rates.
Our merchant marine to be restored |
to it's former greatness and made the |
ally of the people against monopoly BY !
the repeal of antiquated and restricted 1
navigation laws. But no subsidies for I
favored ship owners.
1.-THE powers granted the federal gov |
ernment were not meant to be used TO /
conquer or hold into subjugation the /
people of other countries.
1.-THE Democratic party has never IA I
vored and now opposes any extension 4
of the national boundaries not meant /
to carry speedily to all inhabitants full I
equal rights with ourselves. II these I
are untitled by local condition or char I
acter to be formed into self governing 4
territory and then Incorporated into the /
Union of states in accordance with the 4
historic policy of the republic they /
should be permitted to work out their 1
own destiny.
only territorial expansion demanded 4
by the national welfare and the nation 1
al safety to be at any time favored /
the objection which should have pre-
vented certain of our recent accessions |
being that they imperil the national
safety without promotion of the na-
tional welfare; that they devolve upon l
us enormous responsibilities we have /
no call to assume; that they are certain \
to be an unrenumerative drain upon I
our resources; that they tend to embroiI /
us with European powers; that they 4
weaken our claims to supremacy on the 4
American continent at the same time
that they lessen our ability to make the Il
claim good and that they furnish a \
dangerous opportunity and temptation
for the disregard of the self evident I
truth of universal application that gov
ernments derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed
"The obvious sympathy of the ma
tiOnal administration with the British
government in its efforts to destroy the
South African republics and the policy
which has made the ports of the United
States a. basis of supply for the British
army. without which the war could not
be successfully carried on are con-
7n1r1 aa7 " IA orv of Ohio