Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1904-07-16

THE PLATFORM.
I'VE. the delegates 20 the Democratic
party OF the United States. in national
convention assembled. declare our do
vOtion to the essential principles OF
the Democratic faith which bring us
together in hearty communion.
Under them local self-gOvernment
and national unity and prosperity were
alike established. They undertake our
indopcndonce. the structure OF our free
republic and every Democratic extCn-
sion from Louisiana TO California and
faithfully in all the States the tie be
tween taxation and representation.
They set inspirit the masses of osir
people. guarding jealousy their rights
and liberties. and cherishing their fra
teTnity. peace and orderly develop
ment 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 of gov
ernmcDt from the headstrOng. arbi-
trary and spasmodic methods which
distract business by uncertainty and
pervade the public mind with dread,
distrust and perturbation.
The application of these fundamen-
tai principles TO the living issues OF
the @ay constitutes the first step TO
ward the assured peace. safety and
progress Of our nation. Freedom OF
the press. OF conscience 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
heahcas corpus. the supremacy Of civil
over military authority; a well dis
ciplincd militia, the separation of
Church and State, economy in cXpen-
ditures. low taxes. that labor may be
lightly burdencd: the prompt and
sacred fulfllmont OF public and pri-
vatc obligations. including fidelity TO
treaties. peace and friendship with all
nations. entangling alliances with
none. absolute acquiescence I'm the will
OF the majority. the vital principle OF
repullcs-these are doctrines which
Democracy has established as proverbs
Of tho nation. and they should be con-
stantlv invoked. preached. rcsorted TO
and enforced.
Il Large reductions can readily be
made IN the annual expenditures Of the
government without importing the ef-
6ciency OF any branch OF the public
service. and VIC shall insist upon tho
strictCst economy and frugality COM
pauhc with the various and efficient
civil. military and naval administration
as q right Of the people too clear 10 be
denied or withheld.
INVESTIGATIONS PROMISED.
80 The enforcement OF honesty in
the public service and TO that end a
thorough legislative investigation OF
those executive departments OF the
government already known 70 TEEN
with corruption. as well as other de
partments suspected OF harboring cor
ruptiOn. and tho punishment Of ascer-
tanned corruption without fear or favor
or regard 10 persons. The persistent
and deliberate refusal of both the Sen
ate and House OF Representative TO
permit such Investigation 10 be made
by either branch OF Congress demon
states that only by n change in the ex-
ecutive and in the House of Repre-
sentatives can complete exposure
punishment and correction be obtain
ed.
In broader furtherance Of that end
the Federal government should not
permit itself 10 be robbed by entering
into contracts with convicted trusts
or unlawful combinations in restraint
Of interstate trade. existing in viola
ton of Law. We believe that one o.
the best methods OF procuring economy
and honesty in the public service is e
have public officials. from the occupan
OF the White House down TO the low
est OF them. return. as nearly as may
be. TO Jeffersonian simplicity OF liv
ing.
80 We favor the nomination an.
election OF President trained in III,
ways of the constitution. who shall
set his face sternly against exccutiv,
usurpatiOn OF legislative and judicia
functions. whether that usurpation b
ruled under the guise OF eXecutiv,
construction OF existing laws, o
whether it take refuge in tho tyrant'
pleas OF necessity or superior wisdom
TARIFF PERVERSIONS.
-. The Democratic party has beer
and viii continue To be. the consisten
opponent of that class OF tariff legis
letion by which certain interests hav
been permitted, through congressiona
favor. TO draw a heavy tribute frOr
the American people. The monstrou
perversion of those equal ODportunitie
which our political institutions wer
established 10 secure, has caused wha
may once have been infant industrie
to become tie greatest combination
of capital that the world has eve
known.
These publicly favored enterprise
have, through trust methods, bee
converted into monopolies, thus brin,
ing 10 an end domestic competition
which was the only check upon tn
extravagant profits made possible b
the protective system. These indu
trial combinations. by the financial a
sistance they can give. now control I'll
policy OF the Republican party.
I'VE favor a wise, conservative IN
business-like revision and a gradu
reduction OF the tariff by the frien,
OF the masses. and for the comma
veal, and not by the friends of
A4nr Il