The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1904-07-16
DEMOCRATS AGREE
ON THE PLATFORM
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
PROMULGATED AT ST. LOUIS.
SILENT ON MONEY QUESTION
Tariff for Revenue Only Is Favored
Stringent Antitrust Laws
Demanded-Party's Posi-
ton on Other Issues.

Stringent Antitrust Laws
Demanded-Party's Posi-
ton on Other Issues.
St, Louis. July 9-When the demo-
cratic national convention was called .
order Friday evening, Senator Deniel,
chairman of the committee IN resolu-
tons, was at once recognized by the
chair, and read the resolutions as adopt
ed by the committee. When he had
finished the reading Senator Daniel
moved the previous question, which was
carried, and the platform was adopted
without debate. 1t is as follows:
The democratic party Of the United
States, In national convention assembled,
declares its devotion TO the essential
principles of the democratic faith which
brings together in party communion.
Under them, local self-govcrnmeut, ana
national unity and prosperity were alike
established. They uuderlaid our tnde-
pendeuce, the structure Of our free re-
public and every democratic extension
from Louisiana to California and Texas
to Oregon, which preserved faithfully
in all the states the tie between taxation
and representation. They yet inspire the
masses Of our people, guarding jealousy
their rights and liberties, and cherIshing
their fraternity, peace and orderly devel-
opment. They remind us of our duties
and responsibilities as citizens and m
press upon US, particularly at THIS time,
the necessity of reform and the rescue Of
the administration or government from
tHn NJ 1Et p,, nrhItrapyF mud ynnArNA1tT
methods which distract business by un-
certainty, n pervade the public mine
with dread, distrust and perturbation,
The applicable of these fundamental
principles TO the living issues Of the day
is the first step toward the assured peace,
safety and progress OF our nation, Free
dom of the press, of conscience, and OF
speech equality before the law of all
citizens; RICH, of trial by jury freedom
OF the person defended by the writ of ha-
beas corpus liberty of personal contract
u~ntrammeled by sumptuary laws, su-
premacy OF the civil over military author
ity; u well disciplined militia the sepa-
ration of church and state; economy In
expenditures; low taxes, that labor may
be lightly burdeled; prompt and sacred
of public and private obliga-
tons; fidelity to treaties; peace and
friendship with all nations; ~entangling
alliances with none: absolute aCquies-
cence In the Will of the majority, the
vital principle of repubiics-these are
doctrines which democracy has estab-
lsheu, approved by the nation. and they
should be constantly invoked n en-
forced.
Capital and Labor.
We favor enactment and administration
of laws, giving labor and capital impair
tally their just rights; Capital and labor
sdry to the other. Each has its rights,
but the rights OF labor are certainly no
less vested, no less sacred and no
less "unalienable" than tho rights OF cap
ital.
Constitutional guarantees are violated
whenever any citizen is denied the right
to labor, acquire and enjoy property or
reside where interest or inclination may
determine. Any denial thereof by indi-
viduals, organizations, or governments,
be summary rebuked and pun
We deny the right Of any executive to
disregard or suspend any constitutional
privilege or limitation, Obedience to the
and respect for their requirements
are alike the supreme duty OF the citizen
and the official
The military should be used only to sup
port and to maintain the law. We I'M
condemn its employment for
the summary Punishment Of citizens
trial, or for the control Of cleo
We approve the measure which passed
the United States senate IN 1896, but
which Il republican congress has ever
since refused to enact, relating to con-
tempts IN federal courts. and providing
tor trial by jury IN cases of indirect con
Tempt.
Waterways.
We favor liberal appropriations for the
care and Improvement Of the waterways
n the TpIutTy When anu ypat,r,ra,r
Ike the Mississippi river, is Of sufficient
to demand special aid of the
government, such aid should be extend
ID with a definite plan OF continuous
work until permanent Improvement is se-
,ured.
We oppose the republican policy of
itarying home development In order TO
eed the greed for conquest and the ap-
'ette lot national 'prestage" and dis
,lay of strength.
Economy of Administration.
Large reductions can easily be made In
he annual expenditures Of the govern
nent without impairing the efficiency of
my branch of the public service. and we
shall insist upon the %strlctest economy and
rugaIity compatible with vigorous and eff
icient civil, military and naval administra-
ion as a light of the people, too clear Ia
)e denied or withheld
We favor honesty in the public service
The enforcement Of honesty In the public
ti VICE, ar " thul Sllu d lHOTDuHn leRs
investigation Of those executive
apartments Of the government already
.nown to TEEN with corruption, as well al
ther departments suspected of harboring
eruption, and the punishment Of ascere
corruptionists without fear or IA
or or regard to persons. The persistent
nd deliberate refusal of both the senate
the house of representatives to permit
UGH investigations to be made demon
rates that only By a change In the ex.
cutive and in the legislative departments
complete exposure, punishment and
be obtained
Government Contract with Trusts.
We condemn the action of the repub-
can party in congress In refusing to pro-
ibit an executive department from en-
ering into contracts with convicted trusts
r unlawful combinations In restraint of
,~terstate trade.
we believe that one OF the best methods
I procuring economy and honesty In the |
ublic service Ia to have public officials,
rom one occupant of the white house down
/, the lowest of them returned as nearly
$ may be, to Jeffersonian simplicity Of liy-
lg.
Executive Usurpation.
We favor the nomination and election of
president imbued with the principles Of
ne constitution, who will set his face 1
ternly against executive u~surpation of
g'slatlve and judicial functions, whether
lat u~surpation be yelled under the guise /