Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1903-09-19
THE PLATFORM ADOPTED
At Democratic State Conven-
tion-Principles For Good
Government.

me following are inc principles anu
platform adopted by the Democratic
State Convention:
The representatives of the Democratic
party of Maryland, in State convention
assembled, heartily commend the admin
istration of Governor Ohm Walter Smith.
He has diligently and faithfully dis
charged the many duties of his office and
fully made good his assurances to the
people THAI under bis administration as
Governor the laws would be vigorously
enforced, the public revenues carefully
guarded and peace and good order res
Olutely maintained.
The efficient and successful manage
ment of the affairs of the State in Demo
cratic hands for the last four years justly
entities us to claim continuation of the
confidence and support Of the people.
The good government which we are
now enjoying under Democratic admin
stration cannot possibly be made better
by the Republican party; but, on the con-
trary, dependent for its existence as that
party in this State is upon its solid negro
vote, il is manifest that the defeat of our
ticket at the coming election will bring
back upon us the evils and dangers from
which our triumph in 1896 so fortunately
delivered us.
We believe that the political destinies
of Maryland should be shaped and con
trolled by the white people of the State,
and while we disclaim any purpose to do
any injustice whatever to our colored
population we declare without reserve
our resolute purpose to preserve in every
conservative and constitutional way the
political ascendancy of our race.
The continuance In power of the DEM
ocratic party in this State means:
First-The continued rigid enforce
ment of the laws which have insured
safety to person and protection to prop
erty.
Second-Continued economy in the
expenditure of the peoples money, but
without parsimony, and progress with
out extravaganza.
Third-It is guarantee of the early
extinguishment of the State debt and a
speedy reduction in taxation.
Fourth--It will result in such amend
ments to our present excellent election
law, which has done so much to lessen
the evils of bribery, to assure the SECRECY
of the ballot and to promote intelligent
voting, as experience has shown may be
necessary to preserve the purity of our
elections, without which good govern
ment is impossible.
Fifth-1he success of our party means
that the public schools of the State will
be further fostered, expanded and inn
proved, so that opportunity shall be
given to every child to obtain fair
education.
Sixth-Maryland, among the first of
| the States in the Union to recognize that
the welfare of all the people largely de-
ponds upon the Improvement OF public
highways, created facilities for cheap
transportation. The policy resulted in
greatly increasing our prosperity and
gave to the city of Baltimore an oppor-
tunity to share in the commerce of the
country. The time has now arrived when
we must return, to some extent, to the
former policy of improving the high
ways. Good roads will cheaper the cost
of the transportation of Maryland's pro-
ducts and will add greatly to the value
of property and to the comfort of all the
people of the State. Our success will
assure legislation to this end.
SeYenth-The products of the Chesa-
peake bay and its tributaries have fur
nished remunerative employment for
thousands of our citizens. Their right,
their opportunity, to pursue their vaca-
tions must be guaranteed, and 1t is alike
the duty and the interest of the State to
foster and increase the supply of the nat
ural products of our great inland sea.
Eighth-The Democratic party has
shown by example that public improve
ments in the State and in the city of
Baltimore can be made with economy and
without suspicion or faint of jobbery.
We propose to continue that policy, so
that Baltimore city shall have the oppor-
tunity to construct its system of sewerage
and the Improvement of its streets under
such restrictions as will insure strict
economy by business methods absolutely
divorced from party advantage.
Ninth-The Primary Election law,
passed by Democratic Legislature and
signed by a Democratic Governor, has
produced good results, and we are of
opinion that its provisions, with such
notifications as local circumstances may
demand, should be extended to the whole
State.
Tenth-The election of Democratic
majority in both branches of the General
Assembly will strengthen the hands of a
Democratic Governor and contribute
greatly toward the maintenance of good
government in the State. 1t will also
make certain the election to the United
States Senate of man who will truly
represent the essential principles which
the Democratic party has advocated from
Jeffersons time to our own and who
would scorn to malign and attack the
white people of the South in their efforts
to properly solve the great questions re-
sulting from the Acknowledgement of the