The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-20

our supreme court Dy making the highest judgeship a mere perquisite of a corrupt machine and 8 place of exile or | reward for those who hinder or help its l selfish purposes, :" the platform continues: Tt is obvious that since the accession | of President Roosevelt to the presidency. the thoughtful sentiment of the coun- | try has become distrustful of his admin istration and fearful of the consequences of his extraordinary, cratic ana auto cratic assumption anl exercise of power. All that conservative men feared as | a result of his accession to power has come to pass. Safe, dignified adminis. | tration has given way to strenuous. | spectacular partisanship, both nation al and international problems of vast | import have become the sport of per- sona1 ambition and have been fashion ed and nodded as stepping stones to presidential succession.
 Roosevelt Mcnacss Good. To-day the country finds in Theo- | dore Roosevelt a standing menace to constitutional government to the in- ternational peace and to business sta bility and prosperity.
 Ut turns to the Democratic organi- zation for safety and relief--to that party of conservatism which from its birth and through so many years was | sAsS pAA"ahh dRathot WuiCn tne sPtItt of sectionalism. fanaticism, radicalism and the crude. wild theories of experi- mentalists dashed in vain. The Democratic Party is to be con- graduated on the fact that we are now able to unite upon the cardinal tenets in our party faith and their ap- plication to the vital, pressing ques- tioris of to-day.
 We declare our adherence to the fundamental principles which Demo- icracy has taught from the foundation of our government and which are es- sential to the preservation of our constitutional system.
 For Principles of Party.
 We stand for a strict construction of all grants of powers that initiate against the liberty of the citizens and for liberal construction of all rescr- vations of his rights--for home rule and local self-governments and against centralizatsAn of power--and for the largest liberty to the individ- ual consistent with law and order with protection of person and prop erty and the maintenance of govern ment.
 We are opposed to paternalism in government, to needless interference with the rights, the liberty or condi- tion of in dividuals and to all Iegisla- ton that may hamper the capabilities of the citizens or that may press one individual or class witt privileges or power or restrictions not affecting otaers.
 With Jefferson. we believe the best government is that which governs least Taxation Schemes Opposed.
 We declare our opposition to all schemes of taxation that bear unequally N.-1F -l.. t..E- to increase the profits of one class at tine expense of another We are for Tightening on the necessaries of, life and increasing only upon tine luxuries, al- ways bearing in mind that constitutional power 10 levy duties on imports exists cnly for the purpose of rsising revenue We commend the siecls.ation of Mir Mckinley in his last public address, when he said:
 "A system which provides a mutual exchange of commodities Is manifestly essential to the continued healthfulness and growth of our exports trade. We must not repose in fancied security that We can forever sell everything and buy little or n3thing-the period of exclusive ness is past. The expansion of our trade and commerce is the pressing problem. commercial wars are unprofitable, a policy of good will and friendly relations will prevent reprsals.'
 To Control Combinations.
 While we recognize the right of capital in all legitimate lines of enterprise to combine for the increase of business we believe that by wise legislation, rigidly enforced against such combinations. the evil tendencies can be prevented without needless destruction to the capital upon which labor must depend for employment and compensation.
 We believe that a majority of the un- lawful trusts now in existence are the direct and natural result of excessive Re- publican tariff duties which destroy com petition, and inevitably breed combina- tions for monopoly. To remedy this evil should be one of the first purposes of tar- If revision. To such revision our party stands pledged.
 Federal taxation of all kinds should be reduced. The enormous surplus accI mulated by the Government has not only brought extravaganza, but has become a standing menace to the financial stability of the country.
 The entire currency conditions today, affecting all business interests are made to depend upon the mood and whim of the Secretary of the Treasury in his manip- ulation of the Government deposits. This condition has become intolerable and should be remedied by reduction of taxa ton.
 Deplore Panama Policy.
 Our national strength should rather be exhibited in resisting the aggressions of great powers than in browbeating the weak American republics whose guardian ship and protection We have so long as- stunned and maintained. We favor the speedy completion of the Panama Canal. but regret that our Government should have permitted this great project to be stained with evidence of dishonorable in- trigue against the integrity of a friendly republic.
 We deplore the continued existence of labor troubles affecting important indus tries and vast numbers of people and ex- press the earnest hope that through con cession, arbitration, moderation and fair dealing, early adjustments may be reach ed.
 Labor unions, organized for the better ment of wage-earners, acting within the limit of law and not subversive of public or individual rights. are not only lawful, but commendable and should be met, rec ognized and dealt with accordingly"
 The platform instructs the delegates 10 the National Convention Ito vote as d unit in all matters entrusted to their charge"