The Newark journal., 1904-06-24
State Democratic Platform.


The democracy of Arkansas renews
its allegiance to the fundamental prin-
| ciples of government as expressed in
| democratic platforms throughout the
| existence of the party and accepts the
-! platform of principles adopted by the
| last democratic convention as binding
upon us as democrats until changed by
| succeeding national conventions.
We denounce the republican party of
! the United States for it's repeated acts
OF infamy and outrage upon the rights
OF the toiling millions of America and
| for Its union with corporate greed to
| wrest from the toiler undue portion
of the product of his labor We con-
| denim President Roosevelt among other
things especially for his public and pri-
| Vate conduct tending to stir up bitter
ness between the different sections Of
| the country and to make the negro be-
! leve that he is the social and other
| equal of the white man.
We condemn and denounce the repub-
| mean party of Arkansas for its infamous
] record during the dark days of recon-
| StFucton and because the heart which
/ prompted the perpetuation of that long
! ilst Of outrages has not been changed
| IN character, and the men who were the
| chief actors in the bloody drama of re-
| construction still the shepherds and
| this State.
We denounce the republican party for
| us affant cowardice in refusing to hear
| that record presented to an Intelligent
! people In joint discussion in the present
! State campaign.
Inc democratic party. regarding with
| PRIDE and satisfaction the successful de-
/ NeI9pment OF our public school system.
/ pledges itself to its perpetual support
maintenance and enlargement. and
/ recommends that the State continue TO
! provide for the payment of the interest
! on the state bonds now belonging to the
! school fund, and that at a early a day
! as possible the State should make pro-
vision for district high schools in vari-
/ Gus portions Of the State. to the end
/ that the rural pupils may have the ad-
! vantage OF high school education We
| further recommend the adoption of a
constitutional amendment which will en-
/ able the State to give more effective
financial aid to the free schools of the
We recommend a revision of the law
as 10 our penlteHtiary system so as to
make It as far as possible seIf-sustain-
ing and prevent its mismanagement in
! any WAY. and that any surplus arising
from convict labor shall pass into the
/ school fund for tile educat ton of the
! children OF the State in the free schools.
I We 1HdOrSe the proposed amendment
/ to our State constitution whereby cities
of the first and second class may issue
/ lntefeSt-bearlnS evidence of indebted
/ ed1eSs under restrictions therein. named
We recommend increased liberality in
pensions to -ConfederateS.
In order that labor may be more fully
/ protected we demand the enactment by
+ the next Legislature Of a law aboltshing
/ the defense Of feIlow-serVant in ali
cases where injury occurs to an en-
/ ploye= Of any person or corporation en-
/ gagged IN operating railroads mines or
4 manufactures, by reason OF the neglf-
i genee OF any servant OK the common
employer.
We iadorsc the State railroad com
+ mission and diSapprove any action look
+ ing To Its adjustment.
The democracy Of the State of Arkan-
/ SaS. III convention assembled indorSes
! the administration of Coy. Jefferson
/ Davis a. courageous wise. honest and
] economical and consistent with the time
Aonored principles Of the democratic
We reaairm the declaration of former
/ national and state democratic conVen-
+ tons against trusts. pools. eombina-
+ lions and conspiFaeies against trade
4 whereby the prices or rates are fixed in
/ restraint in anyWise of the freest open
/ competition in any species of business.
! We demand that the next legislature
speedily enact law on the subject in
/ order that all trusts. pools, eombina-
/ tons and cOnSptracleS in restraint Of
! trade or preventing competition in prices
or rates shall be effectively destroyed in
/ Arkansas, and that the will of the people
! on that subject. as expressed by their
! Endorsement of Gov. Davis. shall be
! To that end we demand that the next
| legislature enact without amendment the
King antitrust bill introduced in the
| last legislature.
We demand the passage of laws by the
next legislature making railroad COM
| panies absolutely liable for all stock
| killed or injured by reason of the oper-
/ alton of their trains and taking away
the defense of contributory negligence
! in all personal injury cases for dam
ages sustained by. persons, upon the
! track by the operation of railroad trains
n which constant watchout as now
required by law is not maintained.
We again renew our statement in IA
vor of a reform school for the educa-
Tenders and demand or the legislature
! to make suitable legislation whereby this
much needed reform may be carried into
/ effect at an early day.
| We indorse the action of the legisia-
! ture in making suitable provision for
/ the accommodation of the insane of the
| State.
We heartily approve the course Of our
! senator's in congress in connection with
the ratification of the treaty with Pam
| anna that makes possible at this time the
construction of the isthmian waterway.
We cordially commend to the voters OF
| the State the amendment to the c0nSt-
tuition providing for an additional judge
! of the supreme court and creating two
divisions thereof
The primary elections for the selec-
! ton of candidates for the various Of
| hces state and county having as II
seems now become fixed policy of our
! people, and inasmuch as these primary
elections practically determine the choice
! of the people for the various Offices. II
Is highly important that the same shall
be conducted with uniformity. with the
utmost fairness and under the fullest
legal protection. We therefore call
upon the Legislature for the passage Of
some primary election law which Will
insure fairness and legality and protect
the democratic primaries against those
who would use them for fraudulent pur-
poses. and against Illegal voters, and
against adherents and members of other
political parties who persist in forcing
themselves into democratic primaries
The following resolution relative to
the election of United States senator.
submitted by a majority CT the plat
form committee. was adopted:
Resolved. That the democratic nom