The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-09-26

workers for the asking. How difficult II
mult be even with q man who tries to
pe honest, to vote justly under such cir
cumstances.
Few If any persons look upon a rail-
road pass as a bribe, and yet II the value
in money were given by the company to
judge, officer or a member Of the legis-
lature, would 1t not be so called? 1t Is
a disgrace to our state that there is no
statute against all officers and members
OF the legislature receiving railroad
passes or gifts.
I'VE favor the initiative and referen-
dunn, especially with reference to the Is
suance Of municipal and county bonds
and the granting OF public franchises"
mo franchise extension or renewal
thereof should be granted by county, city
or village without first submitting Il to
vote of the people"
The initiative may not be fully UNDER
stood by the masses OF the people, though
II Is said to give satisfaction in the states
that have adopted It, The principle of
the referendum, however, is familiar to
all, and is not only good Democratic doc
trine, but is In full accord with the judg-
ment of all parties the want Of It's ap-
plication by the Legislature has had much
to do In increasing the debts Of many
towns, cities and counties.
1--WE favor the repeal of all special linn
itations as to the time In which criminal
prosecution may be begun for bribery In
election"
The man who sells his vote and the
man who buys 1t are both criminals; the
latter the greater one Both should be
followed to the last days Of their lives
and IL convicted, should be punished by
fine and imprisonment, and forever dis
franchised. The corruption OF the ballot
is a crime against the state, and will do
more than any one thing to impair the
foundations Of the republic.
Read Both Platforms.
All these planks of our platform relate
to state affairs They are plain, and
every voter will understand them and in
this respect they are in contrast with
the various planks Of the Cox Re publican
platform. We ask you to read both, and
we have confidence that you will agree
with us, that our platform is one OF the
pest ever framed by a convention, and
the other is one with the fewest excel
lencies
AS to tho proposed constitutional
amendments, there seems to be a legal
difference OF opinion as to the meaning
OF one, and an honest difference az to the
justice OF the results OF the other. Both
OF these we shall explain at another time.
On the 2sth OF June there was a con-
Columbus. The great majority OF that
body were representatives direct from
the people; though they came together as
Democrats. they were representatives not
only OF the Democratic party but OF the
great masses Of the people of Ohio. They
were from tn" farm, the shop, the bank,
from all the Professions; they were per-
haps the most representative body OF
men that had assembled at the capital
In many years. No one could see these
men on the street or In the convention
hall without realizing that they were inn
bued with no ordinary sentiments. They
were men OF sobriety, men OF character,
men on whom the arts and wiles OF the
politician had no more effect than drop
or water ON mountain Of granite. They
seemed to realize that they wero there
for purpose, and that purpose was TO
namo ticket and make a platform
which would meet the approval not only
OF the members OF the party they repre-
sented. but OF the good citizens Of all
parties, They seemed to realise the duty
and imperative necessity to proclaim ina
battieery which would rid our beloved
state Of bossisn and graft, and give back