Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-09-13
WISCONSIN
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.


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We. the Democrats of Wisconsin in
convention assembled. cordially approve
t:onal Democratic convention at St
Louis. and the nomination of the Hon.
Alton B. Parker for President and the
Hon. Henry q. Davis for Vice President,
and pledge our earnest efforts to promote
their choice at the polls.
We especially commend to the people
of this State the overriding Importance
OF speedy return to sthe fundamental
principles of the constitution; the preser-
walton of the respective powers Of the
different departments of government as
therein defined: reformation of the tar
III SO that it shall no longer exact from
the earnings of consumers to increase the
riches of favored classes and further con-
tribute to the building up the trusts and
combinations which Cypress the public
and destroy individual enterprise and in
dependence: the delip GRANGE of orr repub-
lie from the unnatUrl character recently
assumed as the oppressor of people seek
ing freedom: and the enormous waste of
public moneys in maintenance of fleets
and army TO support foreign domination
besides ihe extravaganza and corruption
which have prevailed in many depart
ments of the government in recent years.
Obey the Constitution.
We deem it fundamental TO republi-
can institutions that the executive, legis-
latiye and judicial departments of the
State be maintained in the integrity and
independence conferred on them By the
constitution. that the one should not en-
croach upon or coerce the action of the
other, and we deem the coercion of the
legislative by the executive. and the at
tempted domination of all the other de-
partments of the State in furtherance OF
personal political ambitions as destruc-
tive of the free exercise by the several
departments of their respective functions.
We submit to the consideration Of the
citizens of this State the utter inability
of the Republican party 10 accomplish
needful reforms that the agents and SER
wants Of the State paid to subserye the
public interests have abandoned their
official duties but engage at the expense
Of the State in fractional strife for polit-
zeal spoils engendering personal hatred
luminosity and division p,ecluding beyond
all reasonable expectation any needful
legislation, should the said party be con
tinued in power. And we submit that
the remedial legislation urgently needed
can be accomplished onlyq through the
agency of the Democratic party.
The recent scandals and accompany
ing disclosures in the offices of insurance
commissioner and State treasurer Justify
the belief that the affairs, records and
accounts of those offices, as well as of al
other State offices. should be examined
and investigated in the interest of the
public welfare, which can only be accom-
plished through change Of admnistra
ton
This convention reminds the people Of
the State that all their relief from rail-
road abuses has come from the Demo
cratic party and the citizens must depend
upon that party for the protection OF
their rights against unreasonable and ex
tortionate demands of common carriers
1t was Democratic Legislature and q
Democratic Governor that increased rail
way taxes from to per cent; that frs
passed an anti-free pass act; that passed
the co-employe law; that passed the law
compelling railroads to fence their tracks
that passed the law compelling passen
ger coaches to be supplied with tools fol
the protection of passengers in cases OF
accidents; that passed the law compel
ing common carriers TO serve all persons
alike without discrimination in facili
ties or charges.
Tax on Corporations.
While il must be conceded that public
service corporations. such as railroads
street railways, express, sleeping cars
telephone and telegraph companies anC
other qpasi-public corporations of Xix,
character, are essential to the progress
and the development of the State and t,
the comfort and convenience of the PEG
pie, yet they should all be compelled t.
bear their just and equitable share o.
the tax burden.
In the interest of the shipper and tn,
traveller. freight and passenger rate,
should be made as low as is consistent
with fair and easonable profits upon in
vestment. Unjust discriminating freigh
rates, however granted. should be abso
lutely prohibited and under penalties Sc
we're enough to insure a strict observanc,
OF the prohibition. Telephone rental!
and tolls, telegraph rates and charges
sleeping car fares, express charges
street. railway fares, charges for wate
service, gas and electric lighting and tn,
charges of all other corporations operat
ing franchises granted by State and mu
nicipality. or doing business within thu
State, should not be in excess of a com
pensatory and reasonable rate.
In order that intelligent and unpreju
diced actions may be had, We favor tn,
creation of a commission under Law
TO be enacted at the earliest possible mo
ment in the next session of the Legisla
ture the members to be elected by direc
vote OF the people. the commission to b'
given full power, and to make it theil
duty to examine. investigate and ascer
tain the earnings. expenses. investment
depreciation of values. loss by wear anc
tear. profits and losses and everything
whatsoever necessary to ascertain the
exact facts and true condition ol
every such corporation above referred