The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-06-19
Republican Platform.

Following Is the platform adopted al
the Republican State Convention he'd
at Portland last week:
Iha Republicans Of Maine. il c0nyeu.
ton assembled, stand ready 10 put them
selves on record regarding any Vita issue
that concerns the American people.
Before we pass u the confederation II
questions Of pubic policy, memory
carries us back 70 the cruel tragedy II
.ast September when the assassin
bullet took away the precious life Of our
beloved Chief Magistrate, William Nc
kinley, and plunged our nation into tears
We deeply lament our loss in this un-
timely death of one who represented the
highest type Of American manhood and
American citizenship. His wise counsel
his prophetic vision, his steady hand,
guided our "ohip of State into the haven
Of peace, prosperity and power that s
our exalted position today. Our nation
Is now recognized and respected world
power, with constantly multiplying COM
mercial interests, and rapidly expanding
Influence. We are moving forward 10
the van Of a progressive civilization. and
we cheerfully credit our martyred Presi.
dent with generous share in this larger
life that has recently come to us as d
people.
We resfiirm the doctrines and prln.
ciples Of the Republican party, which,
carried out as they have beer, have given
to the State and the country a D. osperity
unrivalled In history. Every Industry IL
al Its best labor finds more constant
employment at higher wages than ever
before and is paid In the best money 10
world ha g.
and constant surplus finds Its best use
In reducing the public debt. The over
plus from the fruits of private abor is
shown as never before In the constantly
increasing deposits In savings banks and
in building and loan associations. We
are justified In calling upon the voters of
Maine to see to it that all these things
are not put at risk by the success Of the
Democratic party and the Inauguration
OF its policies and principles.
We continue our abiding faith in the
protective tariff and are opposed 10 all
efforts to destroy it or emasculate it or
weaken its benz fciant operation. We
favor no scheme that would interfe, e
with the industries of the United States
and would lessen the legitimate fruits Of
American labor
We uphold and mean to maintain the
gold standard and the continuance Of the
best currency known to mankind.
We favor Government aid to the end
that our merchant marine NAV be build :
ed up, so hat great part Of the freight
in our business with the world shall be
carried in American ships and under the
American flag.
We favor strong legislation, both in
State and nation, for the protection of
labor and for the limiting and Cal efully
scrutinizing and regulating monopolies,
and we fully sustain the President Ia his
efforts to enforce the law and to restrain
encroachment upon it by monopolieS and
trusts.
We favor legislation to suppress an.
archy and to protect the person of the
President of the United States.
We rejoice in the liberation of Cuba
and welcome the island into the family
OF national republics; and we approve
the policy in the new territory which we
have acquired, which will, at no distant
day, result in complete pacification and
the ultimate establishment of free, re-
preventative government.
We believe in the fair and honest bal
lot, not only at elections but in the Sc
Letting of party candidates, and as ex-
perience has shown that our present
system of nominations is liable to grave
abuse, We recommend the enactment BY
our next Legislature of a direct primary
law, which shall more etfectuslly pre-
serve the purity of the ballot, and pre-
vent the voters Of one party from taking
part in the nomination of candidates for
any other party.
Every provision upon our statute
books for the promotion of temperance
was put there by the Republican party
which has always stood for sorbriety
and thrift among the people of our
State. We favor the continuance of all
such statutes, and demand their faithful
aud impartial enforcement by the officers
of the law.
We have entire faith in the honesty,
courage and patriotism of President
Roosevelt and are glad to pledge to him
and his administration our hearty sup
port.
We endorse the course of our Senators
and Representatives in Congress and
look with satisfaction upon their high
position and great influence in the nation
al councils.
We fully endorse the strong and able
administration of Governor Hill under
which the Republ can pledges OF two
years ago have been fully and faithfully
carried out AS result Of wise legis-
lation, the great corporate interests sre
bearing a larger portion of the public
burdens than ever before in the history
of our State. Within few weeks, the
last dollar of the temporary loan, incur
red largely on account of the war with
Spain, will be paid. Along with this
good work has gone also a substantial
reduction in our permanent debt. All
this has been accomplished without any
increase in the State tax rate, and shows
how faithfully the Republican party,
under the elear-headed direction of our
present Chief Executive, has administer.
ed the public trusts confined to its keep