Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-08-31
THE DEMOCRATIC
PLATFORM

1--WE. the democratic party Of the United
States, i'll national convention assembled.
declare its devotion to the essential prin-
ciples of the democratic faith which
brings us together in party communion.
Under them local self-government and
established. They underlaid our independ-
ence, the structure of our free republic
and every democratic extension from
Louisiana to California and Texas to Ore
gon, which preserved faithfully in all the
states the tie between taxation and rep
rssentation. They yet Inspire the masses
Fights ad and chsrshHs the her
fraternity, peace and orderly develop
ment. They remind US Of our duties and
upon US. particularly at this time, the
necessity OF reform and the rescue Of the
administrauon OF government from the
methods which distract business by un-
certainty and pervade the public mind
with dread, distrust and pertur baton
nrindn,elp app,ca1.on ~ h 1 OF 'hese fundamental
constitutes the first step toward the as
sured peace. safety and progress of our
nation, freedom OF the press, of con-
the law Of all citizens; the right of trial
by jury; freedom OF the person defended
by the writ of habeas corpus; liberty Of
personal contract untrammcled by sump-
tGary laws; the supremacy OF the civil
over military authority; a well-disciplined
militia; the separation Of church and
state; economy In expenditures, low
taxes, that labor may be lightly bur
dened; the prompt and sacred fulflmeRt
or public and private obligations, facility
to treaties; peace and friendship with all
nations; entangling alliances with none:
apSo1ute acquleScence Ia the Will Of the
majority the vital principle of republics
these are doctrines which democracy has
established Us proverbs OF the nation,
and they should be constantly invoked,
preached. resorted to and enforced.
Controlling Expenses.
"1. Large reductions can readily be
government without impairng the eft
cheney of any branch of the public service.
and we shall insist upon the strictest
economy and frugality compatible with
vigorous and efficient civil, military and
naval administration as right Of the
kbeeldE - ''' '''N' 10 's 's'ilSu Or win
''2. The enforcement of honesty in the
public service, and to that end a thorough
legislative investigation of those execu-
tive departments Of the government al
ready known to teem with corruption, as
well as other departments suspected of
harboring corruption. and the punishment
OF ascertained corruptionists without fear
or favor or regard ta persons. The per-
sistent and deliberate refusal of both the
senate and house of representatives to
permit such investigation to be made by
either branch Of congress demonstrates
that only by a change in the executive
and in the house Of Representatives can
complete - exposurs p,s;Iea punishment and cor
In broader furtherAnce Of that end the
federal government should not permit it
tracts with convicted trusts or unlawful
combinations in restraint OF Interstate
trade. existing in violation of law We
1roeurins economy and honesty in the
public service Is to havs public officials.
from the occupant of the White House
down to the lowest Of them, return. as
plicity OF living.
Presidential Reoomm nda tfons.
g. We favor the nomination and cleo
ton of president trained in the ways Of
Eternly against executive usurpation Of
legislative and judicial functions, whether
that usurpation be ruled under the guise
laws, or whether it take refuge In the
tyrants pleas of necessity of superior
wisdom.
q. The democratic party has been,
and will continue to be the consistent
opponent of that class OF tariff legislation
by Which certain interests have been per-
mitted, through congressional favor, to
draw Il heavy tribute from the American
people inIS mOnStrOuS perVefSi0n OF
those equal opportunities, which our po-
litical 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 publicly
favored enterprises have, through trust
methods been converted into monOpoieS,
thus bringing to an end domestic COM
petition, which was the only check upon
the eXtraVa2ant profits made possible by
the protective system. These industrial
combinations, by the financial assistance
they can give, now control the policy Of
Si IN
1--WE favor a wise, conservative and
businesslike revision and gradual re-
duction Of the tariff by the friends OF the
masses and for the common veal, and
not by the friends Of its abuses, its eN-
tortions and its determinations, keeping
i'll view the ultimate END of equality of
burdens and equality of opportunities,
and the constitutional purpose Of raising
q revenue by taxation. to-Wit, the sup
port of the federal government, in AL its
Integrity and Tirility, but in simplicity; :;
and keeping also in view. as men of com
mon sense should, existing conditions,
however wrongfully, mistakenly or an
justly brought about, Hild tac danger to
the, cause of tariff reform Itself OF abrupt
and revolutionary reversal Of policy.
I'VE should bear in mind, in short, these
two things: j, Ihe general principle that
the sole derivation of the power of tax
alton is the support OF the federal gov
ernemnt, economicaily, effectively and
eonstitutionally Administered; and t2},
the equal truth that III The assertion rt
any general principle and in reaching
any ultimate end, however sacred and
logically unavoidable, due regard, but
only due regard, must and should be paid
to actual tXiStng conditions.
I've favor the reduction of tariff tax
alton upon truSt-produced articles to the
points where foreign competition may en-
ter the American market whenever trusts
and combines, seeking monopoly, raise
their prices to tae American consumer
above n reasonable and just profit, 10y
such reduction deprivng trusts and mo-
nopolieS Of the power to eNtort from the
American people. lndov shelter of Amer
lean law, prices higher than those charged
foreigners for Identical articles.
The Isthmiun Canal.
"Our party having long and earnestly
advocated the construction of interOceanic
canal for the purpose OF national defense
and commerce between the states and
with foreign nations, We favor the early
completion of the isthmian canal.
"Hut while making this declaration and
accepting the results as an accomplished eG
and irreversible fact, we can not toe
forcihly express our disapproval Of the
methods by which, in disregard Of the
usages and obligations of international
law and treaty obligations. the cana
route 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