Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-09-07
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.


son are among those mentioned.
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Oshkosh, Wis, Sept. 1.--[special. /
The following is the platform adopted by
the Democratic state convention:
We, the Democrats of Wisconsin in con-
yenhon assembled, cordially approve the
principles declared by the last national
Pc democratic convention at st. Louis, and
for President and the Hon. Henry, G. Da-
Wis for vice president and pledge our
earnest efforts to promote their choice at
the polls.
Reforms Demanded.
We especially commend to the people CT
this state the overruling Importance Of n
speedy return to the fundamental prin-
ciples of the convention; the preservation
of the respective powers of the different
departments of government as therein de-
hned a reformation of the tariff so that it
shall no longer exHct from the earnings OF
consumers to increase the riches of favored
classes and further contribute to the build
Ing up the trusts and combinations which
Cypress the public and destroy individual
enterprise and Independence, the deliver,
ance Of our republic from the unnatural
character recently assumed as the OPP
presSor of people seeking freedom; and the
enormous waste of public moneys in main
tenance of fleets and army to support for
elgn domination besides the extravaganza
and corruption which have prevailed In
many departments OF the government In
recent years.
Obey the Constitution.
We deem it fundamental to republican In
situations that the executive, legislative and
| judicial departments of the state be main
tanned in the integrity and Independence
| conferred on them by the constitution, that
i the one should not encroach upon, or coerce
| the action of the other, and we deem the
coercion of the legislative by the executive
| and the attempted domination of all the
| other departments of the state in further
ance of personal political ambitions as de-
| structive of the free exercise by the sew
eral departments Of their respective func
| lions.
fractional Fight.
We submit to the consideration of the
| citizens of this state the utter inability of
| the Republican party to accomplish need
| ful reforms; that the agents and servants
| Of the state paid to Subserve the public in
terests have abandoned their official duties
but engage at the expense of the state in
| factiOnal strife for political spoils, engen-
| dering personal hatred, anmosity and di-
| vision precluding beyond all reasonable ex-
| pectation any needful legislation, should the
said party be continued in power. And we
| submit that the remedial legislation urgent
| ly needed can be accomplished only through
| the agency of the Democratic party.
Scandals in Capitol.
The recent scandals and accompanying
| disclosures In the offices of Insurance COM
missioner and state treasurer justify the
| belief that the affairs, records and accounts
| of those offices, as we'll as of all other state
offices, should be examined and Investigate
ed in the interest Of the public welfare,
| which can only be accomplished through
| change Of administration.
Railway Legislation.
This convention reminds the people Of
the state that all their relief from railroad
| abuses has come from the Democratic party
| and the citizens must depend upon that
party for the protection of their rights
q tr0i nc nn0h md FOR Flor, 70 do
mands Of common carriers. 1t was a Demo-
cratic Legislature and a Democratic gov
ernor that increased railway taxes from 3
to per cent; that first passed an anti
free pass act; that passed the co-employe
| law; that passed the law compelling rail-
roads to fence their tracks; that passed the
law compelling passenger coaches to be sup
piled with tools for the protection of pas
sengers In cases Of accidents; that passed
serve all persons alike without discrimina-
ton in facilities or charges.
Tax on Corporations.
While it must be conceded that public
| service corporations, such as railroads.
street railways, express, sleeping cars tele-
quasi-publc corporations Of like character,
are essential to the progress and develop
ment of the state and to the comfort and
convenience Of the people, yet they should
all be compelled to bear their just and
equitable share Of the tax burden.
Control of Rates.
In the interest of the shipper and the
traveller, freight and passenger rates should
| be made as low as is consistent with fair
and reasonable profits upon Investment I'm
just discriminating freight rates, however
/! granted, should be absolutely prohibited and
under penalties severe enough to Insure q
| strict observance Of the prohibition. Teic-
phone rentals and tolls, telegraph rates and
| charges sleeping car fares, express charges,
street railway fares, charges for water serv-
| ice, gas and electric lighting and the
! charges of all other corporations operating
| franchises granted by state and municipal
| ity, or doing business within the state,
| should not be in excess Of q compensatory
and reasonable rate.
For Corporation Commission.
In order that intelligent and unprejudiced
action may be had, we favor the creation
| of commission under law to be enacted
session of the Legislature, the members to
be elected by direct vote Of the people, the
commission to be given full power, and to
make their duty to examine investigate
1 and ascertain the earnings. expenses, in
vestment. depreciation Of values, loss by
wear and tear, profits and losses and every
| thing whatsoever necessary and describe to
| ascertain the exact facts and true condition
| of every such corporation above referred to,
| and for that purpose to examine the rec
| Ords, books and accounts of any and all
| such corporations, and to compel the at
| tendance and take or secure the testimony
| OF any and all witnesses within or without
| the state, as we'll as documentary evidence
| necessary or proper for the purposes of
every such investigation, and with like
| power and authority to investigate all
charges of unjust discrimination, such COM
| mission to make report to the governor in
| respect to any, each or all of such corpo-
| ration whenever required, and to the Legis-
| lature at each session thereof or at such
| other times as may be deemed advisable of
all Of it's doings with testimony and evil
dence SO taken and with its recommends