Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-06-25
REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM
MADE BY CHICAGO CONVENTION

providing additional remedies for the
prevention OF discrimination in freight
rates have been passed by Repub-
l;ean Congress.
Pledges Fulfilled.
In this record of achievement dur
ing the past eight years may be read
ne pledges which the Republican par
ty has fulfilled. We propose to con
time these principles and We declare
our constant adherence to the follow
ing principles:
Protection which guards and devel-
cps our industries is a cardinal policy
o; the Republican party The measure
OF protection should always at least
equal the difference in the cost OF pro-
lection at home and abroad. We insist
upon the maintenance of the principles
OF protection and therefore rates OF
duty should be readiusted only when
conditions have so changed that the
rublic interest demands their altera-
ton.
But this work cannot safely be com
mItted to any other hands than those
OF the Republican party To entrust
it to the Democratic party is TO invite
disaster. Whether. as in 1872, the
Democratic party declared the protec-
tive tariff unconstitutional. or whether
IL demands tariff reform or tariff revis-
ion, its real object is always the de-
struction Of the protective system
Adversity vs. Prosperity.
However specious the name. the pur-
pose is ever the same. A Democratic
tariff has always been followed by bus
I'M
business prosperity. To Republican
Congress and a Republican President
this great question can be safely in
trusted.
When the only free trade country
among the great nations agitates a re-
turn TO protection. the chief protective
country should not falter in maintain
ing II.
We have extended widely our foreign
markets. and We believe in the adop-
ton OF all practicable methods for their
further extension. including CONNER
cal reciprocity. wherever reciprocal
arrangements can be effected consist
ent with the principles of protection
and without injury to American agri-
culture. American labor. or any Ameri-
can industry.
We believe It to be the duty Of the
Republican party to uphold the gold
standard and the integrity and value
of our national currency. The main
tenance of the gold standard. estab-
lished by the Republican party. cannot
safely be committed to the Democratic
party. which resisted its adoption and
has never given any proof since that
time of belief In II or fidelity TO IL.
To Subsidize Merchant Marine.
While every other industry has pros
pered under the fostering aid of Repub-
lican legislation. American shipping
engaged in foreign trade in competition
with the low cost of construction. low
wages and heavy subsidies of foreign
governments has not for many years
received from the government OF the
United States adequate announcement
of any kind. We therefore favor legis-
lation which will encourage and build
up the American merchant marine. and
We cordially approve the Legislation OF
the last Congress which created the
merchant marine commission to inyes-
tigate and report upon this subject.
A navy powerful enough to defend
the United States against any attack,
to uphold the Monroe doctrine and
watch over our commerce is essential
to the safety and the welfare Of the
American people. To maintain such
navy is the fixed policy of the Republi-
can party.
We cordially approve the attitude OF
President Roosevelt and Congress In
regard to the exclusion of Chinese la
bor and promise q continuance OF the
Republican policy in that direction.
The civil service law was placed on
hA fau N
party. which has always sustained 1t.
and we renew our former declarations
that 1t shall be thoroughly and honest
ly enforced.
In Favor Of Pensions.
We are always mindful of the coun-
try's debt to the soldiers and sailors OF
the United States, and we believe in
making ample provision for them and
in the liberal administration Of the
pension laws.
We favor the peaceful settlement OF
international differences by arbitration.
We commend the vigorous efforts
made by the administration to protect
American citizens in foreign lands and
pledge ourselves to insist upon the just
and equal protection Of ell our citizens
abroad II is the unquestioned duty OF
the government to procure for all our
citizens. without distinction. the rights
of travel and sojourn in friendly coun-
tries. aud we declare ourselves in favor
of all proper efforts tending to that
end.
Our great interests and our growing
commerce in the Orient render the con-
dition of China Of high Importance to
the United States. We cordially com
mend the policy pursued in that direc-
ton by the administrations OF Presi-
dent Mckinley and President Roose-
welt.
We favor such congressional action
as shall determine whether by special
Determinations the elective franchise
in any state has been unconstitutional