Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1902-10-31
DEMOCRATIC STATE PLATFORM.

mental principles of government and TN
rights ol man as set forth IN the dtclara
| ton of independence and the constltutio
of the United States and We reaftir1
! ana indorse the principles laid down Il
/ the last national platform adopted a
! Kansas City. Regarding those principle
as opposed to Imperialism and colonial
ism, as opposed to government by III
| junction. as opposed tn trusts ana trust
fostering tariffs, as opposed to iinancla
monopoly and an asset currency, ana a
| opposed to all other ieSalized monopo
hes, subsidies and privileges, we condemn
every effort which tends to repudiat
them.
We deeply deplore and lament the un
timely death OF Washingtons great an,
good governor, John r. Rogers. He wa
a public spirited citizen, Il courageous of
fetal. a champion of justice, and an hon
est man, ana We herewith bear witness
to the love and respect we had for him
Along with all patriotic men We eX
press our adherence of the tragedy tina
resulted in the death of the president o.
the United States, William Mckinley
The manner of his death was n blow a
a constitutional government and was al
effort to undermine our civilization ant
to destroy the foundations of republican
institutions.
In state and county affairs We plede,
the nominees of our party to an honest
efficient and economical administration
OF public affairs, ana as an evidence ol
the fidelity with which Democrats dis
charge public duties we point to the
administration of state affairs from 1885,
to 1901, which for honest and economical
management stands unmatched in the
history of this state.
We demand the rigid enforcement of the
law relating to the assessing of all prep
erty, and we especially demand that the
personal property and franchies of the
railroad and other public service cor
poratiOns shall be assessed at not less
than their salable value as going con-
Germs, so that they shall not hereafter
evade just and equitable taxation.
We are in favor of so amending the
constitution of the state that questions
of a fundamental characer may. under
proper conditions and at the initiative of
4 sufficient number of electors, be sub
mitted directly to the people for adoption
or rejection, thus providing correction
for the infirmity of government by poll
teal parties and making it certain that
the voice of the people on all such ques-
lions will in the end prevail.
We are without qualification In favor of
the election of United States senators
by a direct vote of the people.
We commend the wise. statesmanlike
and patriotic course of Senator George
Turner throughout his term in the United
States senate. His voice has always been
raised in the defense of the principles
of Democracy and of free government,
and the influence and high standing to
which he has attained in the halls Of
upon his party and state. Never before
In her history has Washington had SEN
atOr SO able and so useful and in the
interests of the whole people of the state
We pledge that every Democratic vote in
the next legislature will be cast for his
reelection.
We unqualifiedly demand the complete
exclusion from all American territory
of all Chinese, Of either whole or mixed
blood, according to the terms of the bill
presented to congress by the American
Federation OF Labor, and we denOunce
the Republican majority in congress for
their treason to the working people and
to the Pacific coast in rejecting this bill
and passing the present weak and made
quate law.
1t is believed by the Democratic party
of Washington that this state, great in
all natural resources for the production
OF wealth, rich and prosperous, can well
afford to give such statutory protection
to its wage-earners as will best tend to
equalize their relations with their en-
ployers and protect them from the I'M
necessary hazards of their employment.
We declare it to be a part of the policy
of the Democracy of Washington to en-
act into law the following bills:
F1rst-A bill relating to the protection
of dangerous machinery.
SecOnd-A bill relating to the assumed
risk Of workmen in mills. factories and
other workshops.
Third-A bill relating to an eight hour
workday on state and public work.
Fourth-A bill defining who NAV he
fellow-servants and providing a reason
able penalty for its violation.
And we instruct the Democrats in the
legislature to work and vote for the
same.
We invite the earnest consideration of
the voters Of Washington to the evils
which beset present industrial conditions
growing out Of the formation Of enormous
corporations, commonly known as trusts.
organized for the purpose Of concentrat-
Ing all Of the chief products. industries
and means OF transportation in the hands
OF a few large capitalists. thereby en-
abling them to dictate to the farmer the
price Of his product, to the consumer the
price OF his necessities and to the laborer
the price of his wages; and we call at
tention to the fact that these evils are
fostered largely by national legislation
giving so-called protection to the products
controlled by monopolies and to the re-
fusal OF the Republican party, now in
control OF the legislative and executive
branches Of the government. to enact and
indorse effective laws against the COM
binations In restraint of competitive
trade. Manufacturing concerns which
enter the markets of the world and there
sell their products in competition cheaper
home are not proper subjects for pro-
lection. We demand that protective rates
be taken Off all trust-made articles and
that the same be placed upon the free
list.
We demand a fair and equal division
OF government funds appropriated for
irrigation purposes in the various arid
districts, said division to be made ac-
cording to acres and their value as raw
land irrespective Of the proximity Of
towns and cities) to be irrigated in the
different counties lying In said arid dis
tricts.
We condemn in unmeasured terms the
special privileges given to certain indi-
vfduals OF sheep grazing on the govern
ment forest reserves in this state, that
are held in trust for the benefit of all
the people and are the natural watersheds
and necessary for the accommodation, use
and enjoyment Of all settlers for irriga-
ton purposes.
The railroads are public agencies and
are subject to public control. They are
In their nature mOnOpOlies and the public
interest imperatively requires that they
be controlled. Therefore. disclaiming any
spirit Of hostility to the railroads, and
admitting that they are necessary to the
continued growth of the state. we de-
ment of bipartisan railroad commits
sion, to be appointed by the governor in
the first instance. and thereafter to be
chosen In such manner as the legislature
mission shall be clothed with annie
power to nix freight and passenger rates
on all rail and other transportation lines
TO correct the abuses in the conduct
thereof, and to prevent discriminate lon
and extortion thereby, and with power
10 compel and require the listing for tax
ton at its fair and just cash value of
all the property and franchises of rail-
way, express and telegraph corporations
and other corporations Of like character
For the faithful execution of the above
policy we pledge the faith Of the Democ-
racy OF the state of Washington. We de-
nounce the declaration of the Republican
convention on the subject Of a railway
commission as tnsincere. and charge that
that convention well knew that a ma
1ority OF the Republican nominees of the
legislature Of this state are opposed to
the establishment Of q railroad commis-
sion, and will not vote for one IL elected.
We favor legislation to carry out the
imperative mandate Of the constitution
or the state f0rbidding the giving to or
receiving by public officers Of free passes
on railways and transportation lines.
We demand that the maximum rate for
the carriage of passengers on all rail-
ways within the state shall not exceed
three cents per mile.
we instruct all Democratic legislative
nominees to support the foregoing propo-
sltion. and pledge their loyal adherence
10 tnese instructions il elected
we express our deep and profund SYM
patny Tor those of our people who have
nres in this and adjoining states.
resolution presented by Mr.. Ronald
OF Seattle. demanding that the state he
uivided into congressional districts and
arraigning the Republican party for hay-
ing failed to do this. was adopted and
maoe part OF the platform.