Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1904-07-28
New LegislatiOn.

We are in favor of the passage of a
law making it a felony for an official to
solicit brides, the m"isdemeanor punish
ment now in force being entirely made
quate to the enormity of the offense. We
advocate a law compelling witnesses to
bribery transactions to testify, and re-
lieYing them of prosecution by reason of
any testimony they may give.
1t is impossible TO secure evidence of
bribery except through parties to the
o%ffense, and, as all are equally guilty, the
testimony can not be obtained. 1t is diff
ficult to obtain proof except by relieving
those who give states evidence from pros
ecution.
We favor the passage of law making
null and void all franchises obtained by
bribery. We believe the statute of limi-
five years. We demand the prompt inves-
tigation of all lumors of bribery and the
prosecution Of offenders, no matter to
what political party they claim to belong.
We believe a statute should be enacted
authorizing the governor. through the at
to~rney-general, to IA charge of any
grand jury in the state for the purpose Of
investigating corruption or any violation
Of the laws. We favor the passage of
laws making professional lobbying in the
legislature a felony. Corporation and
other interests should be heard before
committees on measures in which they
are concerned, but the maintenance of a
professional lobby at the capital leads to
corruption.
We pledge the governor elected on our
ticket to protect all interests from sand
bag measures, to see that equal and exact
justice is done to all and special privileges
given to none. We favor the revision
of the divorce laws of Missouri, with a
view to the repression of prevailing
abuses and the maintenance of the sane
tity of the marriage contract.
Initiative and Referendum.
We congratulate the people of the state
on the fultillment Of the party's pledge,
made in its platform two years ago to
submit for the voters approval a consti-
t%utional amendrner. which, If adopted at
the November election, will always secure
TO the people a veto power over bad legis-
%lation, as well as a means of initiating
new measures when desired, thus render
ing ineffective the results of corrupt meth
DDS in legislation and lessening the in
ducements to the same.
state Primary.
We believe in pure elections. and an
equal opportunity for every member of
his party's candidates, and that the time
has come for the enactment Of a general
primary election law, applicable to the
to all, as economical as possible to the
state n to the candidate, and giving
equal advantages to rich and poor alike
who may wish to offer themselves for
the suffrages of the people.
.... SOEUoEtltlOASs
We believe that corporations should be
treated fairly. the same as individuals;
they should have every right the law
accords them, but not more. They must
be made to observe the law the same as
individuals. Corporation property should
be taxed on the same basis as private
property, and in doing this the value of
franchises should be included as property,
We indorse the democratic platform Of
two years ago In reference to the public
ownership of public utilities.
Labor and Capital.
We are in favor of protecting labor Us
well as capital Each has rights the otl, .r
must respect, and before the law the
rights of one must not be greater than
the rights of the other.
Sanctity of the Ballot.
The ~sanctity of the ballot must be pre-
served. Every citizen, whether he be
with us or against us, must nave the
privilege of casting his ballot just as he
pleases, without interference or hindrance
from any source.
Home Rule and Police.
We declare in fa vor of taking the DO
lice departments Of the large cities Of the
state out OF politics We favof the right
Of the people o. each loca ity OF select
ing their own off,.ais S. We pledge. the
governor eiec ed o. this platform to rec.
om"Ard to the legislature az soon az