The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-07-21

eXOrtat1OnS and It's observation-disclosures, hScP-
ing in view the ultimate ends OF equal
:ty of burdens and equality of opportuni-
ties" and the constitutional purpose OF
raising revenue by taxation, to Wit,
the support of the federal government IN
all its integrity and virility, but in SIM
plicity.
We recognize that the gigantic trusts
and combinations designed to enable cap
ital to secure more than its just snare
Of the joint products of capital and Ia
Dor, and which have been fostered ana
promoted under Republican rule, are
menace to beneficial competition and an
obstacle to permanent business prosper
ity. A private monopoly is indefensible
and intOlerable.
Individual equality of opportunity and
free competition are essential to
healthy and permanent commercial pros
perity and any trust combination or mo-
nopoly tending to destroy these by con-
trolling production, restricting competl-
ton or fixing prices should be prohibited
and punished by law. We especially de-
nounce rebates and discrimination by
transportation companies as the most po-
tent agency in promoting and strength
ening these unlawful conspiracies against
trade.
We demand enlargement OF the
powers of the Interstate commerce COM
mission TO the end that the travelling
public and shippers of this country may
have prompt and adequate relief from the
abuses TO which they are subjected in
the matter OF transportation. We de-
rnand 4 strict enforcement of existing
civil and criminal statutes against all
such trusts. combinations and monopo-
lies and we demand the enactment OF
such further Legislation as may be neces-
sary to effCCtually suppress them.
ANY trust unlawful combination en-
gagged in interstate commerce which is
,nonODoliZinG any branch of business or
production should not be permitted to
transact business outside of the state of
its origin. Whenever it shall be estab-
lished in any cour+ OF competent juriS-
diction that such rnonopoliZaton exists,
such prohibition should be enforced
through comprehensive laws to be en-
acted on the subject.
We congratulate our western citizens
upon the passing of the law known as
the Newland's irrigation act for the irri
cation and reclamation of the arid lands
OF the west. Il measure framed by a
Democrat. passed il the senate by a non
partisan vote. and passed in the house
against the opposition of almost all the
Republican leaders by Il vote. the ma
jority of which was Democratic.
We call attention to this great Demo-
cratic measure, hr,.ad and comprehen-
sive as it is. working automatically
throughout all time without further ac-
ton of congress until the reclamation is
accomplished reserving the lands re-
claimed for home seekers in small tracts.
and rigidy guarding against land mo-
nopoly. as evidence of the policy Of
domestic development contemplated by
the Democratic party. should it be placed
in power.
The Democracy. when entrusted with
power. will construct the Panama canal
speedily, honestly and economically,
thereby giving to our people what Demo
Gratis have always contended fora great
interoceanic canal furnishing shorter and
f.IA lines @ broad
or and less tralnmellcd trade relations
with the nthor peoples of the world.
We pledge ourselves to insist upon the
just and lawful protection of our citi-
ans at hoIne and abroad and to all
proper measures to secure for them.
whether native born or naturaliZed. and
without distinction of race or creed. the
equal prott>.tion OF laws and the enjoy
1ncnt OF all rights and privileges open to
them under the covenants OF our treaties
of Friendship and commerce. and. if under
existing treaties. the right of travel and
sojou,n j. denied to American citizens or
recognition is, withheld from American
passports BY any countries on the gr,>nd
of r;ic" or creed. We favor the beginning
of negotiations with the governments OF
such countries TO secure by treaties tho
renewal of these unjust determinations.
We deIndud that all over the world Il
duly authenticated passport issued by the
government of the United States to an
fact that he is AN American citizen and
shall tatitlc him to the treatment due
iilrn d Surh.
We favor the election of United States
senators by the direct vote OF the people.
We favor the admission of the terri
tories of oklahoma and the Indian Terri
tory. We also favor the immediate admis-
sion OF Arizona and New Mexico as sep
;lrat" states and Il territorial government
for -tlaSlld and Porto Rico.
We hold that the officials appointed to
administer The government of any ter
-itOry. as VIII with the District of
| Alaska. should be bonAfde residents at
the time of their appointment of the ter
ritorT or district in which their duties
are to be performed.
We demand the determination of poly
gaIny within the jurisdiction of the Unit
| ed Stats.,. and the complete separation of
| church and state in political affairs.
We demo snce the ship subsidy bill
| Gently passed by the United States SEN
| ate an l.lquitOus appropriation of pub
! lie funds Tor private purposes and a
wasteful. illogical and useless attempt to
| overcome by subsidy the distractions
| raised by Republican legislation to the
growth and development of American
| commerce on the sea.
| We favor the upbuildtng OF a merchant
| marine without new or additional bur-
| dens upon the people and without boun-
| ties from the public treasury.
l
! with Canada and with peoples of other
| countries where they can be entered into
| with benefit to American agriculture
| manufacturers, mining or commerce.
| We favor the maintenance of the Mon
| roe doctrine in its full integrity.
We favor the reduction of the army and
| of army expenditure to the point histori-
| cally demonstrated to be safe and suffi-
! eient.
The Democracy would secure to the sur
| viving soldiers and sailors and their de-
| pendents generous pensions. not by an
| arbitrary executive order, but by legisla-
| ton which a grateful people stand ready
! to enact.
| Our soldiers and sailors who defend with
| their lives the constitution and the laws
: have sacred interest in their just admin
| istration. They must therefore share with
| us the humiliation with which we have
| witnessed the eXaltation of court favor
| ties, without distinguished service, over
! the scared heroes of many battles; or
| aggrandiZed by executive appropriations
out of the treasures of a PROSTATE people
| in violation of the act of congress which
| fixed the compensation of allowances of
| the military officers.
The Democratic party stands committed
| to the principle of civil service reform,
| and we demand their honest, just and i'm
| partial enforcement.
We denounce the Republican party for
! Its continuous and sinister encroachments
! upon the spirit and operation of civil SER
] vice rules. whereby it has arbitrarily dis
| pensed with examinations for offices in
the interests of favorites and employed
| all manner of devices to overreach and
! set aside the principles upon which the
| civil service is established
| The race question has brought countless
woes to this country. The calm wisdom
OF the American people should see to it
that il brings no more.
| 10 revive the dead and hateful race
and sectional animosities in any part Of
our common country means confusion
| abstraction of business and the reopening
of wounds now happily healed. North
south, east and west have but recent
| stood together in line of battle from IT,,
walls of Pekin to the hills of Santiago
and as sharers of a common glory and "a
common destiny We should share frater-
| nally the common burdens.
We therefore deprecate and condemn
the Bourhon-like selfish and NARROW spirit