The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1901-08-15
Democratic Platform In Full.

The Democrats or Ohio reatiirm 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
oliZatlOn Of industry, with Its tendency on
the one hand to crush out individual enter
prise, and on the other to promote social
istfc spirit among the people as the only
refuge from oppression; and their faith in
that theory and practice of constitutional
government which brought tha 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, unbuslnessltke, par.
tisan and corrupt the system which has
prevailed has encouraged the Interference
of the state with the government OF tho
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
reSposlble. Though controlling the last
general assembly and the state administya-
ton, 1t defeated the Revised MuAicipal
Code" preppr red by q nonpartisan commits
sion, and calculated to produce real and
lasting reforms.
The Democratic party therefore calls upon
~ a.
conduct OF .lanicipal Affairs upon a busi-
ness basis, that they may be administered
by the peopi" 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 q 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 &c the people.
~ Steam and electric railroads and other
corporations possessing public franchises
shall be assessed In the same proportion to
their salable value are farms End city
real estate
The proceedings ~ the Republican major
ity Of the stnte bOA.d Of equalization are a
scandal. ProHerty values Instead OF being
equallzed wee increased or diminished nj
the dlctation of political bosses pursuant
to corrupt combinations and conspiracies.
CONDUCT OF STATE AFFAIRS, ETC.
The Republican majority OF the general
assembly deserves the condemnation Of the
people for Its reckless extravagance and
the creation OF useless Offices, while II en-
acted no legislation for the beneu. 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 In the history Of
the state. It's benevolent and penal insti-
tutlons should be conducted upon non.
partisan and business basis.
PEOPLES RIGHTS.
The reserved rights OF the state and peo-
pie 10 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.
Tariff reform, never more urgently de-
manded than now when the production OF
the country so far exceeds Its power Of
consumption that Ioreign markets are q
prime condition OF It's continued prosperity,
and when the existence and abuses Of trusts
have been brought about by the policy of
profession OF favored Industries. The abo-
iitioR OF the so-called protective system ana
the substitution In its place OF the tradl'
tiohai Democratic policy Of a tarin for rev
enue, 50 levied as not to burden one lnduS-
try for the benefit Of another
MoNoPoLIEs.
Tha anaatFnaut and rtanroua auAoraauaae