The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1902-09-11

or controlled by corporation or individu-
ais, and we pledge ourselves TO the en-
! forcement of all laws enacted or to
be enacted in the furtherance of such
wise d equitable purpose. We believe
that the declaration in the Madison
platform on this question is not sincere,
but simply a pretended love for the
Democratic doctrine of just taxation,
rs is evident by the fact that during
the yo years of control of the legisla
tive machinery no effective steps have
been taken by its governor for the esta-
blishment of q system of equal taxa
tion. The Democrrtic party has al
ways been a friend of honest taxation,
and will be more successful in conse-
quonce of its sympathies with the COM
mon people in overcoming these diff
culties than any other political party in
the county.
Tariff Laws Condemned.
80. Appreciating the burning and
pressing necessity for relief from the
extortions to which the people are sub
jected, we condemn the Republican
party for the enactment and mainten-
ance of a tariff law which fosters trusts
and enables certain combinations and
corporations to charge American con-
sumers exorbitant prices for the pro-
ducts of their factories while selling the
same class Of goods to European con-
| sumers at greatly reduced prices. We
point to the business methods of the
steel trust as striking example of the
infamous workings of certain schedules
of the Dingley tariff law. 1t is motor
ious fact that this trust is selling the
products of its factories to European
consumers at prices ranging from 25 to
40 per cent less than it charges Ameri-
can consumers for the same class of
goods. ANY law which thus permits
American manufacturers to rob Ameri-
can consumers, either directly or in
directly, is wrong in morals, un-Ameri-
can, un-Democratic and subversive of
good government, and 80 far as it 80
operates we demand its immediate and
unconditional repeal We believe that
the state should pot grant Of its sove
reign power to corporations to be e1er-
cised in the unlawful oppression of the
people, and we hereby pledge ourselves
to cause to De instituted and prosecuted
with vigor such proceedings in the
courts, by information, quo warranto
or otherwise, as shall be necessary to
| forfeit and annul the franchises of any
corporation created under the laws of
this state which shall violate the law by
unlawfully destroying competition or
controlling the price Cf material or of
finished product, and we demand that
all foreign corporations doing business
in this state be compelled to comply
with the laws of this state applicable to
the same.
Public Improvements Urged.
80. We are in favor of prosecuting
the work of establishing and maintain
ing good roads; of encouraging the
dairy, agricultural, manufacturing and
mining interests of the state; of develop
ing and protecting our public school
system, and the promotion of such pub
lie works and improvements as shall
serve to keep our state where she now
stands, in the front rank of progress.
al. We believe in the rights of con-
science as guaranteed by the constitu-
tion Of our state and in the entire and
complete separation of church and
state. We welcome The private and
parochial schools as valuable auxiliaries
to our public school system and declare
our unalterable opposition to paternalis-
tic interference in any form with the
sacred rights of citizenship.
'12. And to the strict observance of
the principles and pledges herein enum-
Grated we commit the candidates nomi-
mated by this convention and pledge the
hearty support of the Democratic party
of Wisconsin,"