The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1904-04-15
The PLATFORM.
Declaration Of Principles
Adopted at the Demo-
cratic Convention
Yesterday.
REPuBllcAhpOL ARRAIohED
Equal Taxation Of Railroad
Corporations An Import-
ant Plank.
REPUBLICAN, POLICY ARRAIoNEB

The Democracy of New Jersey in con-
yention assembled to hereby make this
declaration of party principles
We arraign the Republican party for
its reckless departure from safe and es-
tablished American policies and princi-
pies; its wasteful and corrupt conduct Of
the government. 1t has made open eff
fort to foster trusts at the expense of the
whole people, and especially of the labor
ing men. The growth of these gigantic
combinations Of capital has eliminated
in monopoly that is dangerous to the pub
lie welfare, and which calls loudly for
legislative redress.
In this respect our present laws should
be strictly enforced, and more stringent
legislation enacted. We declare for rigid
inspection Of their books by proper state
and national officers whose report shall
be open to public inspection.
We favor the abolition or reduction of
all duties which give unfair advantage to
trusts, especially on such products that
are sold by the trusts cheaper in foreign
countries than at home. The government
should not permit the law to remain un-
enforced in order to get campaign con-
tributions from the trusts.
We believe that it should be made
criminal offense to attempt to create a
monopoly in the necessaries of life. We
demand strict enforcement of the Sher-
man act against all illegal combinations
The government should pursue vigorously
its plain duty as pointed out by the Su-
preme Court of the United States, and
prosecute all violations against it.
Government should be for the benefit
of all, and not for ~ af 4 fssg.
We declare for revision Of our tariff
schedules, so that the commerce of the
country will not suffer from unjust dis
elimination, and so our manufacturers
may have more favorable opportunities
to compete with the markets of the
world.
We favor the construction of an inter
oceanic canal, and we insist that it be
built and controlled by the United States.
We charge however, that the Presi-
dent of the United States. in his conduct
of his great office, his intemperate zeal is
without that profound sense of moral OBJ
legation which should mark a strong and
virtuous people, Our treaty with Co
lombia was never intended to be eonstru-
ed as justifying the active interference
Of the United States against this sister
republic. In consequence of his unlaw-
| full acts, our position as the trusting
| friends of the republics of South Amerl-
| ca. acquired after years of careful inter-
national conduct, has been materially
weakened Suspicion and misfrust now
exist in the place of confidence and good
| faith. Encroachments of the President
| in Congress have become menace to
the dignity and power of the National
Legislature. A blow is struck at the
| fabric of our government when the pow
er of the peoples representatives is thus
abridged.
We advocate the election of United
States Senators directly by the people.
! Such change in our organic law would
bring the Senate closer to the great body
of the people.
We. deplore the extravaganza OF the
present Republican administration Of
our State, which, if not arrested, will,
inevitably. lead in a short time, to a
direct tax upon the people.
We also arraign this State adminis-
tration for its subserviency to railroads
and other corporate influences. While
not opposed to corporations as such, we
are opposed to granting to them inn
munity and privileges not conferred upon
the people at large, or to allowing them
to dictate to the policy of our State.
We again declare for equal taxation.
4 Railroad corporations should pay taxes
at the same rate as individuals. Prop
/ artx rpaI or personal. not exempted by