Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-08
Republican State Platform.

Barber OF Bennington and adopted az
the republican state convention last
week is as follows:
The republicans In Vermont by their
representatives In convention assem-
bled again declare allegiance to the
principles of the republican party, and
pledge their most loyal and hearty
support TO its candidates in the COM
Ing presidential election.
In the nomination OF Theodore
Roosevelt TO be the Goth president OF
the United States. we recognize the
same careful selection and wise choice
that has heretofore so abundantly
and successfully appealed TO the cour-
age and the patriotism and the devo-
ton OF republicans throughout our
land, ana believe that by his election
the continued prosperity OF the peo-
pie of the whole United States, ire
spective OF creed, color or political
affiliations win be assured,
II Is with an honorable pride that
we regard the action of our govern
ment, made possible by the republi-
can party, In the prompt securing OF
route connecting the waters Of the
Atlantic and Pacific by the lsthmian
canal.
Vermont. the then Independent
commonwealth that in 1777 adopted
the first written constitution prohib-
iting slavery. and one of whose
Judges IN early times declared that
title to a human chattel could only be
shown BY a bill OF sale from God AL
mighty. cannot now look with indif-
ference upon the attempts recently
made in certain states to deprive the
colored race of the elective franchise,
and we therefore emphatieally en-
dorse the plank of the national repub-
lean party that calls for congress
sional investigation Of this subject,
and II such discriminating Legislation
be found unconstitutional, we urge
our delegation in congress to use their
best endeavors to secure the enact
ment of legislation proportionally re-
ducint the representation of such
state In the United States congress
and In the Electoral college
we believe that now is fitting
time TO inaugurate certain improve
ments in the administration OF our
own internal affairs and to that end
We again request the general assem-
bly TO enact a law regulating prima-
rles or caucuses called for putting In
nomination candidates for the va
rious state, county and municipal Of
fees. TO the end that nominations Of
any party shall be made by the free
uncorrupted choice Of the voters
thereof. and that punishment COM
mensurate with the offense shall be
meted out TO offenders against such
law
careful study Of expenditures, by
persons clothed with authority TO
audit the same, always tends to econ
omy. Hitherto II has been the policy
Of our state 10 entrust its auditing 10
department that, under the law,
cannot be provided with a force ade-
auate to do the work required Of It.
We believe a judicious reorganization
Of this department viii result in a net
saving to the state,
we recommend such legislative en-
actment as Will properly limit NUM-
cipal Indebtedness; and further sug-
gest for the consideration of the gen.
eraI assembly the question Of whether
or not uniform system OF municlpal
accounting applicable TO all cities
towns and incorporated villages with
IN the state. would not. If adopted,
tend to economy in the administration
of their municipal affairs
The creation Of the office OF attor-
new general would be step In the
line Of progress and we believe that
the expense contingent upon the Gre
alton of such an office would be
eouaped by the saving TO the state
resulting from a conscientious and IN
telligent performance Of the duties
thereof.
We believe that the welfare and
increased prosperity of the state, ana
the better convenience and greater
enjoyment of its inhabitants requires
that a system Of permanent highways
should be constructed upon modern
scientific principles and at the ex-
pense Of the state. such expense to be
SO provided for that no material in
crease Of taxation to our people shall
result therefrom.
Capltal punishment for murder in
the first degree has, in theory, long
been the law of this state. In recent
wears the legislature has so acted in
special cases as to practically null1fy
this law. In order that the statutes
may be in harmony with the viii Oh
the people upon this important sub
iect, we recommend to all the voters
of the state, general discussion OF
this question so that when the next
general assembly convenes. its mem
bers will know the sentiment of the
state with reference thereto, and leg
islate accordingly.
The republican party Of this state
has ever stood for the principles OF
temperance. and is abiding in its be-
lief that the unrestricted traffic in in
toxicating liquors cannot be tolerated
within our borders. Two years ago,
after being referred to our people, the
present license-local-o law was
adopted. We believe that this law
should be given a full free, and fair
trial and we, therefore, recommend
to the general assembly that this law
be amended so as to give force and
efficacy to its fundamental princi-
Piles.