Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-08-30
THE DEMOCRATIC
PLATFORM

i LA UNIn
I'VE, the democratic party OF the United
States, in national convention assembled,
declare its devotion to the essential prin-
ciples of the democratic faith which
brings us together in party communion.
Under them local self-government and
national unity and prosperity were alike
established. They underlaid our independ-
ence. the structure OF our free republie
Louisiana to California and Texas to Ore
gon, which preserved faithfully in all the
resentation They yet inspire the masses
ri rights and fibertles and cherishing their
ment. They remind US of our duties and
responsibilities as citizens and impress
upon us, particularly at this time. the
administration OF government from the
headstrong. arbitrary and spasmodic
methods which distract business, by un-
certainty and pervade the public mind
with dread, distrust and perturbation.
1.-The application OF these fundamental
principles to the living issues of the day
constitutes the first step toward the as
sured peace, safety and progress Of our
nation. Freedom of the press, OF con-
science and of speech; equality before
by jury: freedom Of the person defended
by the writ of habeas corpus: liberty of
tGary laws; the supremacy Of the civil
over military authority; a we'll disciplined
militia; the separation OF church and
taxes, that labor may be lightly bur
dened the prompt and sacred fulfinment
Of public and private obligations; fidelity
to treaties; peace and friendship with all
nations; entangling alliances with none;
absolute acQuiescence In the Will of the
majority, the vital principle OF republics
these are doctrines which democracy has
established as. proverbs of the nation,
and they should be constantly invoked,
preached. resorted to and enforced.
Controlling Expenses.
IL Large reductions can readily be
made in the annual expenditures OF the
government without nnpairing the eff
cheney of any branch Of the public service.
economy and frugality compatible with
vigorous and efficient civil military and
naval administration as a right of the
RReHR'e' Fed. TOO ''e'f 10 0S oen'eo OF win
% The enforcement of honesty in the
public service, and to that end thorough
tive departments Of the government al
ready known to TEEN with corruption, as
well as other departments suspected of
harboring corruption. and the punishment
OF ascertained corruptionists without fear
or favor or regard to persons. The per-
sistent and deliberate refusal Of both the
senate and house OF representatives to
permit such investigation to be made by
either branch of congress demonstrates
that only by change In the executive
and in the house Of representatives can
rection be obtained.
federal government should not permit it,
self to be robbed by entering into con.
tracts with convicted trusts or unlawful
trade. existing in violation of law. We
believe that ono Of the best methods of
procuring economy sno honesty in the
from the occupant Of the White House
down to the lowest Of them, return, as
nearly as may be. to Jenersonian SIM
pltcity OF living.
Presidential Reoemme endati0ns.
-. We favor the nomination and elec-
ton of president trained in the ways OF
the constitution. who shall set his face
legislative and judicial functions, whether
that usurpation be ruled under the guise
Of executive construction Of existing
tyrants pleas Of necessity Of superior
wisdom.
II. The democratic party has been,
opponent of that class of tariff legislation
by which certain interests have been per-
mitted. through congressional favor, to
draw heavy tribute from the American
people. This monstrous perversion Of
those equal opportunities. which our po-
Htical institutions We're established to Sc
been infant Industries to become the
greatest combinations Of capital that the
world has ever known. These publicly
favored enterprises have. through trust
methods, been converted into monopolies,
thus bringing to an end domestic COM
petition, which was the only check upon
the eXtraVagant profits made possible by
the protective system. These industrial
combinations, by the financial assistance
they can give, now control the policy of
the republican party.
1--WE favor a wise conservative and
businessike, revision and a gradual re-
masses and for the common veal, and
not by the friends of its abuses its ex-
tortions and it's discriminatiens. keeping
burdens and equality of opportunities
and the constitutional purpose of raising
a revenue tt by tax taxation to-wit, the sup
integrity and virility, but in simplicity;
and keeping also in view, men of com
mon sense should, existing conditions.
Justly brought about, ana the danger to
the cause OF tariff reform itself OF abrupt
and revolutionary reversal of policy.
eve should bear in mind. in short, these
two things: O. The general principle that
the sole derivation OF the power of tax
alton is the support of the federal gov
constitutionaly administered, and t2),
the equal truth that in the assertion of
any general principle and in reaching
logically unavoidable, due regard but
only due regard, must and should be paid
to actual existing conditions.
1--WE favor the reduction OF tariff tax
alton upon trust produced articles to the
points where foreign competition may en-
ter the American market whenever trusts
and combines, seeking monopoly. laise
their prices to the American consumer
above q reasonable and just profit, by
such REDUCTION depriving trusts and mo-
nopoies Of the power to eXtort from the
American people. undeY shelter of Amer
lean law, prices higher than those charged
foreigners for Identical articles.
The Isihmiun Canal.
"Our party having long and earnestly
advocated the cons ruction of interoceanic
canal for the purpose Of national defense
and commerce between the states and
with foreign nations. we favor the early
completion Of the isthnian canal
But while making this declaration and
accepting the results as an accomplished
and irreversible fact, we not too