Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-04-21

men. The growth OF these gigantic COM
binations Of capital has eliminated in mo,
nopoly dangerous to the public welfare,
and which call loudly for Legislative redress.
In this respect our present laws should be
strictly enforced and more stringent legisla-
ton enacted We declare for rigid inspec-
tion of their books by proper State and ma
tional officers whose report shall be open to
public inspection. For attractions Of the
laws their charters should be revoked.
We favor the removal Of protective duties
from all products which are found TO enter
into competition with the output of these
unlawful combinations We believe that
it should be made a criminal offense to
attempt to create monopoly in the neces-
saries of life.
We demand strict enforcement of the
Sherman act against all Illegal combinations
engaged in interstate commerce. The
government should pursue vigorously its
plain duty as pointed out by the Supreme
Court of the United States. Its hand
should not be withheld in order to levy
contributions for campaign purposes
All instrumentalities Of government should
be used for the benefit of all, and for the
benefit Of few.
We declare for a revision Of our tariff
schedule so that the commerce OF the
country may not suffer from unjust dis
elimination, and that our manufacturers
may have more favorable opportunities to
compete in the markets of the world
We favor the construction of an inter
oceanic canal, so as to bind together the
coasts of this country and double the
efficiency of our navy, and we insist that
it be built by the United States and, when
completed shall be controlled and defended
by US. Our position on this continent
demands no less from the governments of
the world
We charge, however, that the President
of the United States in his conduct relating
to the Panama Canal, has been unmindful
Of the duties of his great Office. His intern
perate zeal was without that profound sense
of moral obligation which should mark a
strong and yirtuous people. Our treaty
with Colombia was never intended to be
construed as justifying the active interior
ence of the United States against this sister
republic. In consequence Of his unlawful
acts our position as the trusted friend Of
the republic Of South America, acquired
after years of careful international conduct,
has been materially weakened. Suspicion
and mistTust now exist in the pace of
confidence and good faith.
The limitations of the executive power
in its relation to Congress has been so far
oveTstepped as to become menace to the
power and dignity Of the National Legisla-
ture. A blow is struck at the fabric of our
government when the power of the peoples
representatives is thus abridged.
| We favor liberal expenditure for the navy
and for the defense of our coast. WithiE
our borders we are invincible against any
force that may be sent against us, and we,
therefore, approve OF liberal contributions
by Congress for the proper defense of our
coast and to add to our power at sea.
We advocate the election Of United States
Senators directly by the people. Such a
change in our organic law would bring the
Senate closer to the great body Of the peo-
pie.
We deplore the extravaganza Of the
present Republican administration of our
State, which, if not arrested, will lead to
a direct tax upon the people. We also
arraign the administration for subserviency
to the railroad and other corporate infuen-
ces While not opposed to corporations as
such we are opposed to granting them inn
munities and privileges not conferred upon
the people at large or to allowing them to
dictate the policy of our State,
/ We again declare for equal taxation
Railroad corporations should pay taxes at
the same rate as individuals All property
real and personal, not exempted by the
Constitution. should be assessed for taxes
under general laws and by uniform rules
according to the true value
To these principles and to the candidates
to be nominated at the coming National
Convention at st. Louis for the high office
of President and Vice President of the
United States, we promise our answering
and uncompromising support.
a RUMp CONVENTION HELD.
After The adinnrnment of the Convention