The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1904-07-15
ST. LOUIS PLATFORM.
Democratic National Convention
Announces Its Principles.
Many New Issues Brought out-cap-
itaI and Labor-Fneedom Of the
Press, Conscience and Speech
and Other Topics.

The following platform was adopted
BY the democratic national convention
at St Louis:
The Democratic party OF the United
States. IN national convention assembled,
declare devotion to the essential princi
pies OF the democratic faith which bring
II together In party communion.
we, the delegates OF the democratic
party OF the United States, In national
convention assembled, declare our devo-
ton to the essential principles OF the
democratic faith which bring us together
In party cummunion
Under them local self-goverment and
national unity and prosperity were alike
established. They undertake our indipend-
ence, the structure OF our free republic.
Rnd every depocratic extension, from
Louisiana to California. and Texas to
Oregon. which preserves faithfully In all
the states the tie between taxation and
representation. They yet inspire the
masses OF our people. guarding jealously
their rights and liberties. and cherishing
their fraternity, peace and orderly devel-
opment. They remind us of our duties
and responsibilities as citizens and
Impress upon us. particularly at this
time, the necessity OF reform and the
rescue OF the administration or govern
ment from the headstrong, arbitrary and
spasmodic methods which distract busi-
ness by uncertainty and pervade the
public mind with dread. distrust and per-
turbation.
1.-The application OF these fundamental
principles to the living issues Of the day
constitutes the first step toward the as.
nation Freedom of the press, OF con-
science and OF speech: equality before the
law OF all citizens; the right of trial by
jury: freedom OF the person defended by
the writ Of habeas corpus; liberty OF per.
sUnal contract, untrammeled by sumptu-
airy laws: the supremacy OF the civil over
the military authority; well disciplined
militia; the separation Of church and
state; economy in expenditures; low
taxes, that labor may be lightly bur-
dehed: the prompt and sacred fulnllment
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. approved by the nation, and
they should be constantly invoked, and
enforced.
We favor the enactment and admins
tratI0n OF laws, giving labor and capi-
tai impartially their Just rights. Capital
and labor ough not TO be enemies. Each
IS necessary TO the. other. Each has Its
rights but the rights of labor are GER,
tainiy no less vested" no less sacred"
and no less ''inalienable" than the rights
OF capital.
Constitutional guarantees are violated
whenever any citizen is denied the right
to labor. acquire and enjoy property o;
reside where interest of inclination may
determine. Any denial thereof by indl
viduals. organizations or governments
should be summarlly rebuked and pun
ished.
We deny the right Of any executive to
disregard or suspend any constitutional
privilege or limitation. Obedience to the
laws and respect for their requirements
are alike the supreme duty OF the citizen
and the official The military should be
used only TO support and to maintain the
law. We unqualihedly condemn Its EN-
ployment for the summary Punishment
OF citizens without trial. or for the con-
We approve the measure which passed.
the United States senate In 1896 but
which a republican congress has ever
since refused to enact. relating to con-
tempts In Federal courts and providing
for trial by jury In cases Of indirect con-
tempt.
We favor the liberal appropriations for
the care and Improvement of the water
ways OF the country. When any water,
way like the Mississippi river is Of suf-
iicient Importance to demand special aid
OF the government. such aid should be
tinuous work until permanent improve
nient is secured. We oppose the republi-
can policy OF starving home development
in order TO feed the greed for conquest,
and the appetite for national prestige
and display Of strength.
Large reductions can easily be made
In the annual expenditures OF the
government, without imparing the ef.
flciency of any branch of the public serv-
ice, and We shall Insist upon the strictest
economy and frugality compatible with
vigorous and efficient, civil. military and
naval administration as a right Of the
people toe clear to be denied or with
held
2-The enforcement OF honesty in the
public service, and TO that end a thorough
legislative investigation OF those execu-
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 aecertained corruptlonists 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
demonstrates that only by change in
the executive and in the legislative de.
partment can complete exposure, pun
ishment and correction be obtained.
We condemn the action OF the republic
can party In congress in refusing to pro-
hibit an executive department from en-
tcring into contracts with convicted
trustY or unlawful combinations In re-
straint OF Interstate trade. We believe
that one OF the best methods OF procur.
ing economy and honesty In the public
service Is TO have public officials, from
The occupant OF the white house down 10
The lowest OF them return. as early as
may be. to Jeffersonian simplicity OF liv-
Ing.
Awe favor the nomination and cleo
tion OF president imbuded with the
OF the constitution. who will
set his face sternly against executive
usurpntion Of legislative and judicial
functions whether that usurpation be
sellcd under the guise 6f executive con-
1trnction OF existing laws, or whether II
take refuge In the tyrant's plea Of neses-
Iify or superior wisdom