Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-07-21
GOV. THOMAS LABOR PLANK.


o
In the committee on resolutions at
St Louis, former Governor Thomas OF
Colorado introduced labor plank as
follows:
Constitutional guarantees are vi
olated wherever the humblest citizen
is denied the right to labor. to acquire
and enjoy property, or reside where
interest or inclination may determine.
Any denial thereof by individuals, Or
ganizations or government should be
summarily rebuked and punished.
Freedom of speech and of the press
are essential safeguards of civil I'D
erty, and the invasion OF either can
not be too severely reprehended.
I'VE denounce the infiiction OF pun
lshments without due process OF law
and deny the right of any executive TO
disregard or suspend any constitution
al privileges or Limitation. Obedience
| to the laws and respect for their re-
quirements are alike the supreme duty
| of the citizen and the ruler.
"The military must always remain
subordinate to the civil power. and be
used only to support and maintain the
law.
1--WE unqualifedly condemn its EN-
ployment for the summary banlshment
of tho citizen without trial or for the
control OF elections"
| These resolutions were modified by
the committee. and as adopted by the
national Democratic convention they
read as follows:
Constitutional guarantees are vio-
lated whenever any citizen Is denied
The right to labor, acquire and enjoy
property, or reside where interest ana
inclination may determine. Any de-
nlal thereof by individuals or organi-
cations of government should be sum
marily rebuked and punished.
I'VE deny the right OF any exeeu-
tive to disregard or suspend any con
stitutional privilege or limitation
Obedience to the laws and respect for
their requirements are alike the SUI
prenle duty of the citizen and the OIL
cialS
THE military should be used only
TO support and maintain the law. we
unqualinedly condemn its employment
for the summary banishment OF cltl'
zens without trial or for the control oI
elections"
Insofar as these resolutions as
adopted by the democratic convention
are concerned. they belong in the class
of undisputed political truisms. The
wording of them Is such that they may
we twisted to mean anything or moth
ing. as may suit the political opinions
of the readers. The first sentence evl'
IDENTIFY does not apply to persons con
victed of crime or awaiting trial. and
the right of the executive 10 disregard
the constitution has never been ssfi-
ously claimed by anyone entitled iq
hearing
But the Introduction of these reso'
lutions in the national Democratic
convention by one of Colorado's lead
ing citizens was an attempt to make
political cupita' out of the misior'
tunes of our state, it was SANDER
upon our officials and our people, q
was evidently likely to increase seri'
."Jury TO biis--s-r-r, r,----.-inta~.ast
and to prolong the disturbance and
1
1t was altogether unwise, unseemly
and unpatrioue.
The Democratic labor plank as 1t is
quoted above is an empty plautude.
1t contains nothing that might not be
endorsed by every Republican, or by
any member of the Citizens Alliance.
But 1t was intended to put the Dem
ocratic party IN the position of the
special friend OF the union laborer,
II was intended to help the Colorado
Democracy in its contest for the state
offices next fall, and it was intended
to cast adiuIl and discredit upon the
Republican state offi6iais of Colorado.
Its effectiveness in accomplishing
these objects may well be doubted, and
| 1t will certainly not add anything to
the esteem i,l which Mr.. Thomas is
held by his fellow citizens of Colo
rado-Pueblo Chieftain.
|