Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-07-28
FULL TEXT OF THE MISSOURI
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM FOR 1904

Vowed IN this campaign. and on this Issue
| We stake the hope OF the Democratic party
| OF Missouri
New Legislation.
| We arc In favor Of the passage Of a law
| making Il a felony for an official TO solicit
| brides, the Inisdcmeanor punishment now In
/ force being entirely inadequate 10 the enor-
| nifty OF tho offense. We advocate a law COM
| pellinE witnesses TO bribery transactions to
| testify and relieving them Of prosecution by
reason Of any testimony they may give.
| Il Is impossible TO secure evidence Of brfb-
! cry except through parties to the offense,
| and, as all are equally guilty the testimony
| can not be obtained II is difficult 10 obtain
proof except by relieving those who give
| states evidence from prosecution.
! We favor the passage OF laws making null
| and void all franchises obtained by bribery.
We believe the statute OF limitations in
bribery cases should be made nye years We
! demand the prompt investigation OF all ru-
/ mors Of bribery and the prosecution or Of
| Tenders, no matter to what political party
| they claim 20 belong.
We believe a statute should be enacted
| authorizing the Governor, through the At
torney General, TO take charge OF any grand
| jury in the state for the purpose OF investi-
eating corruption or any violation OF the
laws We favor the passage Of laws maxi
| ing professional lobbying In the legislature
/ a felony. Corporation and other interests
should he 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 oil interests from sandbag
measures, to see that equal and exact JUS
tice Is done TO all and special privileges Civ
en- to none. We favor the revision Of the
divorce laws OF Missouri. with a view to the
repression sof prevailing abuses and the
maintenance Of the sanctity OF the marriage
contract.
Initiative and Referendum.
We congratulate tho people Of the State
on the fulnllmCnt Of the party's pledge, made
To fOF
the voters approval constitutional
amendment which, II adopted at the No,
Neriber election, will always secure to the
people n veto power over bad legislation. as
well as means Of initiating new measures
when desired. thus rendering ineffective the
results Of corrupt methods in legislation and
iccsening the inducements to the same.
state Primary.
We believe In pure elections and an equal
opportunity for every member of "A party 20
candidates, and that the time has come
for the enactment Of a general primary
election law, applicable TO the whole state,
which shall be fair and Just to all. as
economical az possible to the State and to
the candidate, and giving equal advantages
to rich and poor alike who may wish To- Of
fer themselves for the sunraCes Of the peo-
pie.
Corporations.
We believe that corporations should be
treated fairly. the same as individuals; they
should have every right the law accords
them, but no more. They must be made to
observe the law the same az individuals.
Corporation property should be taxed on the
ZANE basis as private property. and in do
ing this the value Of franchises should be
Included as property. We indOrse the Demo-
cratic platform OF two years ago IN reference
t. the public ownership OF public utilities.
labor and Capital.
We are in favor Of protecting labor AZ well
WaN NTUN.W
respect ana 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 he pre-.
served Every citizen, whether he be with
Us or against w. must have the privilege OF
casting his ballot just as he pleases without
interference or hindrance from any source.
Home Rule and Police.
We declare in favor Of taking the police
departments OF tht large cities Of the State
out OF politics We favor the right Of the
people Of each locality OF selecting their
own officials. We pledge the Governor
elected on this platform to recommend 10
the legislature as soon as practicable the en-
actment Of laws whereby all municipalities
OF the State shall be accorded such a system
OF local self-government a. Is consistent
with due enforcement Of tho law and main
tcnance OF the peace and dignity Of the
State.
Good Roads.
Good roads are necessary to free inter-
course Of citizens of the State, and there II
no subject Of more vital Importance to the
farming interests. our present road laws
are Inadequate We favor the passage OF
laws making the railroad commissioners.
state highway commissioners as well. With
supervision over the public roads OF the
State, 10 the end that the roads may be
improved under scientific supervision and II
a carefully guarded plan Of cooperation be-
tween the state and national government be
devised, whereby the expense can be shared
by both we shall favor the same as a great
movement for practical good.
Railroad Passes.
The railroad pass Is often the beginning
of corruption with Legislators. We urge the
strict enforcement of the constitutional pro-
the acceptance by officials or the giving TO
officials. OF free railroad transportation
When legislator takes pass he puts It In
the knowledge OF the representative OF the
railroad that he has violated the law, and
thereby often becomes the seTvile tool OF
corporate interests. As one means OF eradi-
eating this evil. We favor the adoption of
the oliver amendment to the constitution.
cOcIreu.
Every true MissouTian is Justly proud OF
the record OF Senator Francis NJ. Coekren
in the United States Senate. For almost
thirty years he has represented this i'm
perial State in that body. For untlring in
dustry. patriotic and intelligent discharge
of any OF that distinguished body. We
hereby heartily indorse his candidacy for re-
election, and pledge the people Of the State
that II the Democracy controls the next gem
eral assembly he will be returned to the
United States Senate
Appeal.
Upon this enuneiation of principles We con-
hdentiy appeal to the voters OF Missouri Tor
'uPpoI' --------