Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-07-16

/ as citizens and impress upon US. particu-
larry at this time. the necessity of reform
and the rescue of the administration of
government from the headstrong arbi-
trary and spasmodic methods which dis
tract business by uncertainty and per-
wade the public mind with dread. distrust
and perturbation.
The application of these fundamental
! principles TO the living issues of the dav
constitute the first step toward the as
I sured peace, safety and progress of our
nation. Freedom of the press of con-
| science and OF speech: equality before the
/ law OF all citizens; the right of trial by
/ jury; freedom of the person defended by
/ the writ of habeas corpus: liberty of per-
sonar contract untrammeled by sumptu-
airy laws; the supremacy of the civil over
military authority; a well Disciplined mil =
ltia' the separation of church and state;
economy IN expenditures: low taxes. that
TABOR may be lightly burdened: the
prompt ana sacred fulfllment of public
ana private obligations; fidelity to treat
les. peace and friendship with all ma =
tons: entangling alliances with none. all
solute acquieSence in the will of the ma :
lority. the vital principle OF republics
these are doctrines which Democracy has
estaohshed as proverbs of the nation and
theN should be constantly invoked
/ preached. resorted TO and enforced
We favor the enactment and admins
! tration Of laws giving labor and capital
1mpartially their just rights. Capital and
TABOR ought not to be enemies. Each is
necessary TO the other Each has IT'S
rights. but the rights of labor are GER
I tainly no less vested" no less sacred"
and no less 'unalienable' than the rights
of capital.
Constitutional guarantees are violated
whenever any citizen is denied the right
10 labor acquire and enjoy property or
reside where interests or inclination may
determine. Any denial thereof by indi-
VlonalS, organizations or governments
should be summarily rebuked and pun
lshed We deny the right Of any execu-
tie 10 ds or suspend any constI-
tuuonal' privilege or limitation. Obedi-
ence TO the laws and respect for their re-
qulrements are alike the supreme duty
OF the citizen and the official
Large reductions can readily be made
In the annual expenditures of the govern
ment without impairing the efficiency of
any branch of the public service and we
SHAH insist upon the strictest economy
and frugality compatible with vigorous
ana efficient civil military and naval ad-
nlnisuation as a right of the people too
clear TO be denied or withheld.
2-The enforcement of honesty in the
pubic service, and to that end thor
ough legislative Investigation of those ex-
ecutive departments of the government
already known TO TEEN with ooruptfon
as we'll as other departments suspected
or harboring corruption and the punish
ment OF ascertained corruptionists with
out fear or favor or regard to persons.
I've favor the nomination and cleo
uon OF a president trained in the ways of
the constitution. who shall set his face
sternly against executive usurpation of
legislative and judicial functions whether
that usurpation be ruled under the guise
or executive construction of existing laws
or Whether ii take refuge in the tyrant's
plea of necessity or superior wisdom
4-The Democratic party has been. and
VIII continue TO be. the consistent oppo-
nent of that class Of tariff legislation by
which certain interests have been per-
mitted, through congressional favor. TO
draw heavy tribute from the American
people. This monstrous perversion of
these equal opportunities which our po-
Htcal institutions were established to Sc
cure has caused what may once have
been infant Industries to become the
greatest combinations of capital that the
world has ever known. These especial
taNorites OF the government have
through trust methods. been converted
into mouopolies. thus bringing to an end
domestic competition. which was the only
alleged check upon the extravagant prof
its made possible by the protective sys-
TEN. These industrial combinations by
the financial assistance they can give.
now control the policy OF the Republ-
can party.
We denouuce protection as a robbery of
the many TO enrich the few. and we IA
vor n tariff limited 10 the needs of the
government economically administered
and so levied as not to discriminate
against any industry. class or section. TO
the end that the burdens OF taxation 4
shall be distributed as equally as DOS.
sible.
De favor revision and a gradual re-
duction Of the .tariff by the friends OF
the masses and for the common woaI .
and not by the friends Of. it's abuses. its ,
exortations and its discriminators. keen /
ing In view the ultimate ends of equal. /
ity 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 virllity. but In sim
pIiCity
We recognize that the gigantic trusts /
and combinations designed TO enable can. /
ital to secure more than its lust share 1
OF the joint products OF capital and la
Dor. and which have been fostcrcd and 1
promoted under Republican rule are a /
menace to beneficial competition and an /
obstacle 10 permanent business prosper. /
ity. "A private monopoly is indofensible |
and intolerablc.
our party having long earnestly advo-
Gated the construction OF inter-oceanic
canal for the purposes OF national de-
Tense and commerce between the states
and with foreign nations we favor the
early completion OF the isthmian canal
But while making this declaration and
accepting the results as an accomplished
and irrcVersible fact. we cannot too fore
IDLY express our disapproval OF methods
by which in disregard of usages and oblI-
cations OF International law and treaty
obligations, the canal has been acquired
or too solemnly record our hope that this
precedent of defiant diplomacy may never
be used against us to our humiliation
and injury
We demand an enlargement of the pow-
ers OF the interstate commerce commits
sion 10 the end that the travelling public
and shippers of this country may have
prompt and adequate relief Of the abuses
they are subjected TO in the matter of
transportation.
We favor the maintenance of the Mon
roe Doctrine in its full integrity
We favor a liberal trade treaty with
Canada.
We favor the reduction of the army and
of army expenditures to the point histor-
ically demonstrated TO be safe and suffi-
cient.
We favor the maintenance and liberal |
annual Increase of the navy, as our best
defense in our Isolated continental condi-
ton against foreign foe, and a source
OF no possible danger to our liberties as
a people.